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Union Meetings are held at the First Watch Cafe on Armour Road ( North Kansas City ) at 0830 the second Wednesday of every month.
Meeting Notes for February 2008
To All: I wasn't able to attend the Union Meeting for February so notes this month will not be posted. I Apologize.
Meeting Notes for January 2008
1.) 1 Year Injury Free: Congratulations 3rd and 4th District. What an excellent job for all the employees and let’s strive to continue this achievement. I know there have been issues regarding Safety Jackets, so I will say this. Per BLET 75 vote, Local Chairman Bill Paalhar and General Chairman Pat Williams, we will await news on this subject and hopefully the Carrier will recognize our accomplishment and reward us accordingly.
2.) Safety Committee: To all, please think about just exactly what our safety committee does for us. All the issues you turn in are handled via the Safety Committee. Who will be there to handle our issues if we pull out? By the way, Do you really think the Carrier will be hurt if we pulled out? My opinion is NO!
3.) 401k Retirees: Here’s the deal…. If you draw from your 401k, you lose $43 from your RR retirement as the company considered your match a retirement fund also. If you do not draw from 401k, you will receive your full benefit. This ends at age 65.
4.) Hotel - Van Issues: 800-889-6424. CALL CALL CALL. Please use this number for any issue!!! We are all guilty of Bitching, but do we call and tell anyone??? NO. Program this number on your cell phone, when something happens, Call!!!!
5.) Vangaurd BNSF Stock: Yes, it’s true. You can only delegate 20% of your allocation to buy BNSF Stock. Why??? Because you are risking your money buy holding investments in one entity. It is just a smart move and all investors will tell you that. This goes for ALL BNSF employees and not just us.
6.) New Members: To all: Please welcome Tracy Vassar as a new member to Division 75.
7.) Spikey Shoes: Read Chicago General Notice 168. Pretty much, use common sense and if there are Icy and Snowy conditions, have SOMETHING on your feet that the company would consider “ NON Slip, Trip and Fall!”. Pack Boots and your regular work boots won’t cut it but neither will a “ I don’t know” excuse… Hope this isn’t too complicated.
8.) President Hahs: The Teamsters Organization has allowed that the BLET can fall under their rules and have taken away our Autonomy. It seems as though they are pursuing their own agenda with our Presidents issue and I can tell you that this is NOT what we agreed to. So I encourage you to write to the “Teamsters” president ( Hoffa ) and voice your opinion on this. The address is:
Mr. James Hoffa
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
25 Louisiana Ave. NW
Washington, DC. 20001
I have a formatted letter ready for you and will email it to you upon request. Randy
9.) Personal Leave Days: 1 to 5 years = 3 days, 5 to 10 years = 5 days, 10 to 15 years = 7 days, 15 to 20 years = 9 days and over 20 years is the 11 days earned.
10.) Holiday Pay: Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. You must be marked up the day before and the day after these days. Vacation days DO NOT exempt you from holiday pay and if denied for that reason… Contact your Local Chairman.
11.) Lay-Offs and Phone Conversations: Please, please, be careful with layoff procedures and remember that phone conversations ARE recorded. FEM must be followed up with a phone call to a trainmaster. Here is the phone number to Galesburg Hump Tower Trainmaster, manned 24 hours 309-345-6252. As always, try to get names and details if you follow up with a call to your Union Official.
12.) Helper Service: Look up helper service in your rule book and follow the rules.
13.) Rule Books, General Orders and General Notices: It is YOUR JOB to look at these. “YOUR JOB”. Does that make sense?
Be familiar with the instructions that tells you how to perform your job.
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