Vacation request forms

for Boone, Fort Dodge/Eagle Grove, and Des Moines

can be found in the DOWNLOAD section here:

 http://local-0329.utu.org/UTU_Web/Downloads.aspx

and at HE VACATION in TCS at work.

The due dates are listed on the forms.

Check your vacation grouping for 2010 there are errors.
To get it you have to go to CMTS, employee stats, vacation stats then hit the next year button.
If you don't agree with it get me a copy of you pay summary for April 1 though Sept 30.

Rail unemployment, sickness benefits to rise

The maximum daily benefit rate payable for claims under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act increases to $64 from $61 in the new benefit year, which begins July 1, reports the Railroad Retirement Board.
Benefits are normally paid for the number of days of unemployment or sickness over four in 14-day registration periods, so maximum benefits for biweekly claims will total $640.

During the first 14-day claim period in a benefit year, benefits are payable for each day of unemployment or sickness in excess of seven, rather than four, which, in effect, provides a one-week waiting period.

Initial sickness claims must also begin with four consecutive days of sickness. However, only one waiting period is required during any period of continuing unemployment or sickness, even if that period continues into a subsequent benefit year. Claimants already on the rolls will, therefore, normally not be required to serve another waiting period because of the onset of the new benefit year.

To qualify for normal railroad unemployment or sickness benefits in the benefit year beginning July 1, 2009, an employee must have had railroad earnings of at least $3,200 in calendar year 2008, not counting more than $1,280 for any month.

Those who were first employed in the rail industry in 2008 must also have at least five months of creditable railroad service in 2008.

Under certain conditions, employees with 10 or more years of service who do not qualify in the new benefit year on the basis of their 2008 earnings may still be able to receive benefits after June 30, 2009.

Ten-year employees who received normal benefits in the benefit year ending June 30, 2009, might still be eligible for extended benefits, and ten-year employees may be eligible for accelerated benefits if they have rail earnings of at least $3,325 in 2009, not counting earnings of more than $1,330 a month.

Application forms for unemployment and sickness benefits may be obtained from railroad employers, railroad labor organizations, any Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) office, or the agency’s Web site at www.rrb.gov.

Also, as an alternative to applying for unemployment benefits through the mail, unemployment claimants can instead file applications online. Likewise, subsequent biweekly claims for unemployment benefits may be filed online rather than through the mail and employees can also access information about their individual railroad unemployment insurance account statements online.

These account statements provide a summary of the unemployment and sickness benefits paid under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to rail employees.

To access these online services, employees must first establish an RRB Internet Services account.

For security purposes, first time users must apply for a Password Request Code, which they will receive by mail in about 10 business days. To do this, employees should click on “Benefit Online Services” and select “request a PRC.”

Once employees establish their online accounts, they will be able to file their applications and biweekly claims for unemployment benefits as well as conduct other business with the RRB over the Internet.

Employees are encouraged to initiate an online account while still employed so the account is established if they ever need to use these or other select RRB Internet services.

Employees who have already established online accounts do not need to do so again. Although claimants cannot currently file applications or biweekly claims for railroad sickness benefits over the Internet, the RRB is planning to add the online filing of sickness claims in the future.

Claimants with questions about unemployment or sickness benefits should contact an RRB office by calling toll free at (877) 772-5772.

Claimants can also find the address of the RRB office serving their area and get information about their claims and benefit payments by calling this toll-free number. Most RRB offices are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Field office locations can also be found by visiting www.rrb.gov.

(This information was distributed by the RRB May 19, 2009.)

Eagle Grove Open Charity Golf Event

July 25, 2009

at the Eagle Grove Golf Coarse

Come enjoy a wonderful event that benefits local charities.

Good times, good food, great prizes

4 man best shot, 9am shotgun start

(be there by 8:30 am)

Click on box at left to download form

JOBS AVAILABLE ON ALASKA RAILROAD

The Alaska Railroad, on which the UTU represents both sides of the cab, is hiring up to 10 brakemen this summer to handle its seasonal tourist trains.

Furloughed UTU trainmen interested in pursuing an opening on the Alaska Railroad should contact UTU Local 1626 in Anchorage for more information.

The e-mail address is:

utu1626@gmail.com

All Members:

It is imperative that you keep your addresses and phone numbers up to date with both the Union Pacific and the Union.

For those that are furloughed that is how the railroad will get a hold of you for a recall.

If you don’t answer a recall from 15 days from when the Union Pacific sends a letter you will lose your position.  Of course, if you don’t have an up to date phone number with them they can’t call you. 

If the Union doesn’t have an up to date phone number and address we will be unable to contact with important information, which could include claim payments. 

Email addresses are also very helpful, just send the info to me at ljp9550@mchsi.com and Eric at  darbar1997@msn.com .

Important News on COBRA From The General Chairman

Go to the DOWNLOAD page to get a copy of an article published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sunday, April 5, 2009. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the federal government will pay 65% of the COBRA insurance premiums for an employee who loses insurance coverage.

I am advised that each railroad employee will be receiving a letter from United Health Care detailing the program. This could represent a significant savings for our members who are furloughed.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN INJURED

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Railroad Administration has issued an interpretation of its regulations on employee harassment and intimidation of injured employees -- welcome pointers to help rail workers, injured on the job, know their rights.

The interpretation focuses on situations where a carrier supervisor or other rail official accompanies an injured employee into an examination room. Specifically, the FRA has defined what actions by a carrier official constitutes harassment or intimidation calculated to discourage or prevent the reporting of an accident, incident, injury or illness.

Said the FRA:

"49 CFR Pat 225 [of its safety regulations require] each railroad to adopt and comply with a written Internal Control Plan addressing the railroad’s policies and procedures regarding accident/incident reporting.

"[The regulation] further requires that such Internal Control Plans include, at a minimum, a policy statement declaring the railroad’s commitment ... to the principle, in absolute terms, that harassment or intimidation of any person that is calculated to discourage or prevent such person from receiving proper medical treatment or from reporting such accident, incident, injury or illness will not be permitted or tolerated.

"[M]any railroad employees fail to disclose their injuries to the railroad or fail to accept reportable treatment from a physician because they wish to avoid potential harassment from management or possible discipline that is sometimes associated with the reporting of such injuries.

"[S]upervisory personnel and mid level managers in some instances are urged to engage in practices which may undermine or circumvent the reporting of injuries and illnesses.

"FRA is aware of incidents in which a supervisor or other railroad official has accompanied an injured employee into an examination room, or other room in which the injured employee received medical treatment.

"Although concerns have been expressed as to the need for a railroad to determine the extent of an employee’s injuries, FRA does not believe that such concerns outweigh the potential pitfalls and problems associated with the practice of having supervisors accompany injured employees while they receive care from their physicians.

"Moreover, physicians are in the best position to evaluate the health of injured employees and the presence of a supervisor during such examinations would not, in most cases, add any value to the treatment of an employee and would, in general, be a distraction to both the employee and the physician."

Thus, said the FRA in its interpretation of its regulations:

"Harassment and intimidation occur in violation of Section 225.33(a)(1) when a railroad supervisor accompanies an injured employee into an examination room, unless one or more [exceptions occur]."

The exceptions, said FRA, occur in "limited circumstances in which it is appropriate, and indeed preferable, for a supervisor to accompany an injured employee into an examination room ... Consequently, FRA recognizes the following limited exceptions:

1) "The injured employee issues a voluntary invitation to the supervisor to accompany him or her in the examination room. The injured employee must issue this invitation freely, without coercion, duress, or intimidation. For example, an injured employee may see the attendance of a supervisor where the supervisor is a friend. This exception does not encompass invitations issued by third parties, including physicians, unless the invitations are made pursuant to the request of the injured employee."

2) "The injured employee is unconscious or otherwise unable to effectively communicate material information to the physician and the supervisor’s input is needed to provide such material information to the physician. In these circumstances, the supervisor is assisting the injured employee in providing information to the physician to that the injured employee may receive appropriate and responsive medical treatment."

Also, be reminded that the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 provided for the following:

* If the employee is injured on the job, the employer must provide the injured employee with transportation to the nearest hospital.

* The injured employee may not demand to be taken to a more distant hospital, but the destination must be the nearest hospital and not an emergency center.

* The employer is not required to transport the injured employee via an ambulance. They may be transported via a company vehicle.

* A railroad is prohibited from disciplining, or threatening to discipline, an employee seeking medical treatment, or for following orders or a treatment plan of a treating physician.

* Employees may bring an action against the railroad, under whistleblower provisions, for any violation; and, in addition to recovering back pay and reinstatement, they may recover, separate from a FELA action, compensatory damages, attorney’s fees and punitive damages up to $250,000.

* Only the injured employee’s physician can certify when the injured employee is fit to return to work, but the railroad can then order an examination by its own physician to determine if the employee is fit, under railroad policies, to return to work, or should be kept off duty for a longer period.

* If you are involved in a critical incident, such as a highway-rail grade-crossing accident or a train striking another employee or pedestrian, you may demand to be relieved from duty for the purpose of receiving counseling. In addition, you may receive immediate relief of service for the balance of the duty tour.

Chuck Lenning's Wife has passed away.

GOLDFIELD - Rita L. Lenning, 56, of Goldfield, died Sunday, March 29, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Rita was born June 20, 1952 in David City, Nebraska to Clair and Lucille Brannen. She grew up in David City, Nebraska with 8 siblings. She attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1970.

In 1972 she moved to Fremont, Nebraska where she resided for 28 years. She worked at Pendelton, Diers Ford, and she also owned and managed a retail business, MJT Lettering and Balloons. She also worked at the Fremont Answering Service for a short time and then became an insurance agent for National Farmers Union Insurance.

In 2000 she moved to Goldfield, where she married Chuck Lenning on Sept. 13, 2002. While in Goldfield, Rita worked at the Well in Goldfield and Van Diest Supply in Webster City.

Survivors include her husband Chuck Lenning, her son Jeremy Hemmer (and wife Tonya), Siblings, Joyce Stalians, Clarice Lake, Sandi Mahoney, Tony Brannen, Kay Kadavy, Mary Wehenkel, Pat Brannen, and Renee Nickolite. Sister-in-law Debra Govern, sister-in-law Patti Lenning, sister-in-law Penny Goates, and brother-in-law Ed Lenning. Step children include Chad Lenning, Matt Lenning, Melissa Slapnicher, and Mark Lenning. Rita had 2 grandchildren, Mara and Chloe Hemmer. She also had 7 step grandchildren Carter, Grant, Elizabeth, Natalie, Malia, Micah, and Dylan.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Clair and Lucille Brannen, brother-in-law Tony Rerucha, and niece Jordan Nickolite.

There will be a private burial held at a later date. The family has requested no flowers or cards.

Just was notified by the Union Pacific in Boone. 

The RT35 cut by one and RT30 cut by Six. 

Unknown how far the engineer's boards were cut.

An RCL class has finally been scheduled for April 6th in Des Moines. 

The Bulletin is out.

 Spread the word.

Wage/rules panel to address entry rates

  A national wage and rules panel will meet March 17-18 in Jacksonville, Fla., to consider the dispute over entry-level rates of pay, as provided by a Jan. 22 arbitration decision.

Representing the UTU, in seeking an equitable solution, will be International President Mike Futhey, Assistant President Arty Martin, International Vice President Robert Kerley, and General Chairpersons John Hancock, John Lesniewski, Jim Huston, and Alternate Vice President - East Delbert Strunk.

The carriers will be represented by their chief labor negotiators.

March 3, 2009

Can I use a PDA, Blackberry or other mobile device to see crew boards?

Yes!

Go to the FAQ page and take a look.

AWTS, Reedy Letter (Days to Protect)

Due to the confusion over what days of the month people on the AWTS are suppose to protect and how they are suppose to be notified I asked General Chairman Reedy to come to an understanding with the Union Pacific as to a procedure to use. 

Go to the DOWNLOAD page to read a copy of the letter.

AWTS Health Benefits Problems

A Member on the AWTS board recently called saying UnitedHealthCare informed him that the Railroad is reporting that he is not covered because he does not work for the UP anymore. 

If you are on the AWTS board I would suggest calling UHC and finding out if you are in a same reporting predicament.  If you are get the name of the person you talked to and report the facts to me. 

Call UHC at 1-866-267-3320, even if you have Blue Cross.  Call or email me so I can compile a list and to see if there is a problem.  I can get it taken care if you report it to me.

It’s easier to clear up a mess like this before you run into problems with the doctors and hospitals.

Medicare Deduction Noted on Paychecks

January 29, 2009 | 06:15 p.m. CST

Employees will notice a Tier III deduction from their paychecks beginning this month, which is the equivalent of Medicare. Previously, that contribution was lumped with the Tier I deduction and is now being shown separately.

Employees should expect to see the following deductions:

• Railroad Retirement Tier I – 6.20 percent
• Railroad Retirement Tier II – 3.9 percent
• Railroad Retirement Medicare – 1.45 percent

Visit the SAP portal, UP's new finance and accounting system, for more information and other news and updates.

AWTS Modification Agreement with Side Letters now posted on DOWNLOAD page

Entry-level dispute heads to new panel

The dispute between the UTU and the National Carriers' Conference Committee over entry-level rates of pay is headed to a national wage and rules panel as a result of an arbitration award finalized Jan. 22.

UTU International President Mike Futhey issued a dissent to the award, which was written by arbitrator Robert Peterson and agreed to by the railroads' partisan, former carrier chief labor negotiator Robert Allen.

Peterson’s decision holds that the issue of entry rates was "addressed or considered as part of the give-and-take" of the 2004-08 collective bargaining round, and that the issue may now be handled by a national wage and rules panel, first created during the 1996 round of national negotiations.

Members of the panel are appointed by the parties. The carriers typically appoint the chairman of the National Carriers' Conference Committee and carrier vice presidents of labor relations.

The UTU members typically include the UTU international president and members of the UTU national negotiating committee. The panel's meetings are scheduled on mutually agreeable dates in the same fashion as national negotiations.

Futhey said in his dissent, "This dispute does not involve the give-and-take at the bargaining table in the 2004-08 round. Rather, it concerns the deferred price the carriers agreed to pay in the involved side-letters" to the 2002 UTU National Agreement.

"The Board," Futhey said, "simply should have found that the parties are obligated to establish the nexus between entry rates and training/experience," and that should be done "completely outside" of the give-and-take in the 2004-2008 round "because the commitment to make that nexus remains outstanding from the 2002 round."

Futhey added that he will use all tools at his disposal -- including legislative pressure on the carriers -- to achieve a successful outcome of the entry-level pay issue on behalf of new hires.

The UTU position going into arbitration was that once conductors and yardmasters are hired, trained and given full responsibilities, those conductors and yardmasters should be paid full service scale, meaning the same rates of pay as their peers with similar training and responsibilities.

Although some railroads have scrapped entry-level rates for newly hired and fully-trained conductors and yardmasters that are given full responsibilities, it is the industry norm to pay them less for the first five years.

Entry-level rates of pay were first agreed to during the carriers' dark days of the 1970s, when many railroads -- much like the automobile industry today -- were mired in financial losses and facing poorer prospects.

The question put to the arbitrator Dec. 4 was whether the carriers complied with their written promise to deal with the entry-rates issue; and, if not, what is the appropriate remedy for the carriers’ non-compliance?

The UTU told the arbitrator that the remedy should be an award that requires a 60-day negotiating period with a mandate that the parties submit the dispute to interest arbitration if the dispute remains unadjusted after the 60-day negotiating period.

Article XII of the 1985 Agreement, Termination of Seniority.

UTU working to protect younger member's jobs in these hard times are putting forth a suspension of Article XII of the 1985 Agreement.

This suspension has to pass a vote by the majority of Local Chairmen listed on General Chairman Reedy’s letter.

Click on this link to download : Suspension of Article XII of the 1985 Agreement

January Meeting Rescheduled Until The 21st Account of Weather.  At The Normal Place and Time.

For an article about Health care may continue after furlough see our FAQ page

Modification Of AWTS Agreement

This will be talked about and voted on January 14th

Go to the DOWNLOAD Page for a copy of General Chairman Reedy's letter and the proposed modification

Or follow this link

2009 Study Guide with answers on the DOWNLOAD page

  I was told late today that the UP, I repeat the UP NOT the UTU, was going to reduce the RT30 by 15 crews.  At the time the UP called I informed  them that the XK30 still needed to be added to and was told that request would be reviewed and considered.

    When the UP started to make the cuts in the RT30 they mistakenly cut the wrong crews in some instances.  If an XK30 Trainman was holding a temporary in the RT30 the UP pulled that turn instead of the youngest man holding a regular slot in the pool.  This could have resulted in a runaround.  Double check your position in the pool and make sure you didn't get runaround.  If you did it is a 4 hour runaround around account CMS error.

    The UP also told me that KT requested a reduction in both engineer pools and that 10 was going to be cut out of both of the RE33 and RE34.

    Which would result in a total reduction of 35 Trainmen if the XK30 isn't added to.

Follow this link to read the entire article

http://www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?ArticleID=45265

Correction Under Way for Payroll Error Affecting Agreement Employees

No Personal Action Should Be Taken

January 9, 2009 | 11:30 a.m. CST

A payroll processing error yesterday, Jan. 8, resulted in an improper second deposit of pay amounts for December's second payroll period, affecting the direct deposit accounts of many agreement employees.

Employees' payroll recaps for the second half of December, however, show the correct payroll amounts.

Employees should not take any action; they should not attempt to return the funds or spend the erroneous second payroll deposit. UP is working with its banking partners to correct the error as quickly as possible. The financial institutions will automatically begin reversing the second payroll deposits later today, and all involved banks should have the necessary reversals completed by early next week.

If any employee is assessed a transactional fee related to the error's correction, document the charge and provide it to UP's Banking Operations group at 1-888-241-2764 for reimbursement.

Paychecks received via other means were not affected. UP apologizes for the error.

The Carrier has served notice that the AWTS Agreement will be cancelled on January 31, 2009.

The  Carrier has proposed a new AWTS agreement with a cap of 48 for the Midwest.

We will be discussing this at the next meeting on the 14th.

The notice is posted on the DOWNLOAD page.

Follow this link.

I've had a number of calls on the AWTS guarantee. 

Be sure and check to make sure the UP hasn't taken your guarantee for no reason.

A couple of people have call saying they hadn't laid off in December and it shows that they won't be getting a guarantee.

If it looks like that is happening to you send a heat ticket in (include me as the Local Chairman), put in a non-service claim and email and let me know you have done that.  ljp9550@mchsi.com

This is probably the UP way of saying happy holidays.

This is the timekeeping response:

There maybe personal information on the envelope that need to be protected.

    Keep a close eye on your credit report for any unusual changes.

    Properly dispose of the envelope.

    The General Committee is aware of this problem and is taking action to help remedy the situation.

    Recently many Railroaders, operating personal, received a mailing from United Behavioral Health, United Healthcare.

Be Sure and Check Out the DOWNLOAD Page for a Copy of Many of the Agreements

we are working on setting up this web page.