September 2006 Notes:

The proposed El Centro Modification Agreement has been postponed by Labor Management/CMS and the General Chairman.

FTX "enforcement" begins on September 20th on filling out your Job Briefing Book. Be sure to initial all of the squares and sign the form. Advised to list the highest GO number on all subdivisions that you run over.

New Upgrade Policy begins October 15th. New level 4C = 180 days off. No more "get-out-of-jail-free" card. As soon as a copy is available, one will be posted on the website.

RESERVE BOARD CLAIM

Claim $2,084.97 for the first or second half of the month as reserve board pay. Since February 2007 the carrier reduced working engineers to train service resulting in trainmen being furloughed. An engineer's Reserve Board should have been established per July 1, 1991 SP System Agreement, Art. 3, & the May 2004 Engineer Compensation and Utilization Agreement, Side Letter #4. Currently, there are hundreds cut back and furloughed.
 

Rule 6.20 B Other Equipment Left on Main Track
A train must not be left on the main track in non signaled territory unless protected by one of the following:
* Yard Limits
* Track Warrants
1. The train dispatcher may request the release of the crew's track warrant and inform crew that protection has been provided.
2. After being informed that protection has been provided, the following procedure must be followed.
- Crew willl state: "( train ID ) is stopped between MP ___ and MP ___ on main track ( subdivision ). Protection has been provided."
- Dispatcher will state: "( train ID ) that is correct."
- The crew will then release their track warrant.

October 2006 Notes:

New upgrade policy update: The new policy is now to be effective on November 1, 2006 with some revisions. On a level 4C, if your EQMS score is 950 or above, the length of suspension will be 120 days instead of 180 days. A "bad" FTX is a 15 point deduction while a "good" FTX is a credit of 3 points.

CLICK HERE
for a copy of the new upgrade policy (PDF file)

When you are in OS status, be sure to submit a "make whole claim" for all of your lost earnings.

November 2007

DUES INCREASE

As per a vote at the recent General Committee meeting, an increase of $7.00 on the portion of the dues going to the GCA will take effect in November. This is the first increase in GCA dues in 10 years.
Please note that none of this increase in dues goes to your Local Division 660. 

Spring/Summer 2007

Be cautious when taking "flagging" instructions from the dispatcher as field tests have been conducted where some of the information such as the main track number, direction, etc has been purposely left out by the dispatcher as a test for the crew.

Be sure to always have the point protected as per Rule 6.5, Handling Cars Ahead of Engine and that the distance and direction of the move are understood before moving.

When receiving instructions from the dispatcher to protect a road crossing, repeat the type of protection required phonetically. Ex: "XH" X-ray Hotel

NOVEMBER 2006 NOTES:

On backing up moves, be sure to stop within 1/2 the distance and that the point is protected. Be sure to cover this in your initial job briefing.

Be extra careful when passing verbal defect detectors due to recent test failures. Be sure to receive an exit message.