Daily news updates MARCH/APRIL WWW.BLE-T.ORG ocomotive 2015 n g i n ee r s r a i n m e n e w s LE & T N Volume 29, Issue 2 Published by the BLET, a division of the Rail Conference,• International Brotherhood of Teamsters STARRY SKIES A CSX locomotive leads a rock train at Vulcan Materials Quarry near Notasulga, Ala., on January 10, 2015. The 30-minute exposure on this photograph features the trails of star lights moving overhead as well as the light streaks from a passing train — a mixed freight heading south to Montgomery. Photo: courtesy of Frank Orona

Court victory vindicates BLET BUYS NEW BLET position HEADQUARTERS on two-person train crews BUILDING n a major legal victory to protect use supervisors or other management thanks for holding the line on this all- he National Division of the Brotherhood two-person train crews, the U.S. employees in place of engineers or con- important safety issue. of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has Court of Appeals for the Sixth Cir- ductors in the operation of its trains.” “I would also like to thank General Tpurchased a new headquarters building in cuit ruled in favor of BLET’s posi- The TRO was later converted into an in- Chairman Dewayne Dehart, retired Gen- the Cleveland suburb of Independence, Ohio. The Ition that the Wheeling & Lake Erie’s use junction. eral Chairman R.H. Linsey, Local Chair- new location fulfills the BLET Bylaws requirement of managers in place of Union conductors A unanimous three-judge panel on men Kevin Nahrebecki and Lonnie that the National Division headquarters be located is a major dispute under the Railway La- the Sixth Circuit reversed the District Swigert and the members of Division 292 in the greater Cleveland area. bor Act. The ruling, issued on April 20, Court. It found that W&LE’s “claim that for standing strong. I want to thank Gen- The BLET sold its former headquarters, the Stan- 2015, vindicates BLET’s decision to strike the Trainmen Agreement allowed it to eral Counsel Mike Wolly and his team dard Building, in July of 2014. A stipulation of the over the issue more than 18 months ago. man trains without union conductors is for helping to secure this major court Standard Building sale agreement was that BLET In September 2013, the BLET went on frivolous or obviously insubstantial, and victory on behalf of our members,” Pres- would lease back the space the Brotherhood cur- strike over the W&LE’s repudiation of the dispute is major.” The Court of Ap- ident Pierce concluded. rently occupies for a minimum of two years and Collective Bargaining Agreements that peals also vacated the injunction and re- Contract negotiations at the railroad a maximum of three years to relocate. cover the locomotive engineer and train- manded the case back to the District have been stalled for years as the Carri- “This is an exciting time for our Brotherhood,” men operating crafts. Specifically, the Court with instructions to dismiss the er apparently seeks to eliminate crew BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. Carrier ignored longstanding crew con- W&LE’s complaint. members and force one-person train op- “Work will begin immediately to fit the new sist agreements and operated single-per- “The favorable ruling from the U.S. erations. The BLET has long opposed to property to our operations, and once complet- son operations in an effort to eliminate Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit such freight operations as being adverse ed, our new headquarters location will provide Trainmen. constitutes a major victory for all BLET to worker and public safety. • ample room for our National Division officers When W&LE challenged the strike, members, especially our Brothers and and staff in a more modern work environment. the District Court ruled the dispute to Sisters at the W&LE,” BLET National A copy of the court ruling We will also use this opportunity to continue and be a minor one and granted the Carrier President Dennis R. Pierce said. “They is available for download expand our state-of-the-art Education and Train- a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). have fought the good fight for many years from the BLET National ing Center.” While the TRO put the BLET members now and have stood strong against the Division website: More information on the new BLET headquar- back to work, the District Court condi- carrier’s wishes to implement one-per- www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/ ters building will be made available as develop- tioned it “on W&LE’s agreement not to son train operations. They deserve our WLE_opinion_and_order.pdf ments warrant. •

Special Joint Statement NJ Transit Update 2-Person Crew Bill BLET and SMART address BLET, 9 other unions BLET, SMART work together May 12 tragedy pg. 2 request arbitration pg. 4 to protect safety pg. 6 Register• for News Flash email alerts at: www.ble-t.org Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BLETNational• 2 WWW.BLE-T.ORG

SPECIAL JOINT STATEMENT BY DENNIS R. PIERCE & JOHN PREVISICH Amtrak Tragedy BLET/SMART–TD statement on Positive Train Control, crew size following fatal Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia (The following is a joint state- member in the cab of the loco- ment by Dennis R. Pierce, Na- motive. The only thing on a lo- tional President of the Brother- comotive that is not a machine hood of Locomotive Engineers is the crew. The uncontrolled and Trainmen, and John Pre- external environment in which visich, President, SMART trains are operated along with Transportation Division, re- regulatory and operational de- garding questions that have aris- mands of a safe transportation en since the fatal Amtrak derail- service demand a crew of at least ment in Philadelphia on May two fully trained and qualified 12, 2015.) employees in the control cab of every train. PTC is only a safe- embers of BLET’s ty overlay that ensures a safer Safety Task Force operation, and no technology a n d S M A R T can replace the level of safety Transportation provided when two crew mem- MDivision’s National Safety bers are on board and can serve Team, in addition to represen- as a check and balance to one tatives from the Brotherhood another. of Maintenance of Way Em- Even with all the safety-re- ployees Division of the Team- lated technology that the gov- sters Rail Conference (BM- ernment has mandated on com- WED), are working with the mercial airlines, the public National Transportation Safe- would never accept an airline ty Board (NTSB) to assist in the operation with a single person investigation of the catastroph- in the cockpit. There is no rea- ic May 12 derailment of Am- son that rail employees and rail trak Train 188. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators on the scene passengers’ lives should be Significant progress has been of the Amtrak Train #188 derailment in Philadelphia, Pa. Photo: courtesy NTSB Flickr viewed any differently. made in understanding how Contrary to what some in the accident occurred on May WHY A ONE-PERSON size on the . deadline. Each death caused government may say, the only 12. That portion of the inves- TRAIN CREW? But this is only one piece of a by the delay of PTC implemen- place that crew size and PTC tigation is not yet complete, In 1981, Congress passed leg- very large, complex puzzle. tation is one too many, yet Con- do connect is when it comes to however, and even more work islation (the Northeast Rail Ser- gress is preparing to consider funding. That is especially true needs to be done to determine vice Act of 1981) that ended the WHY NO POSITIVE a blanket 5-year extension to in the case of Amtrak, because why the events of that tragic previous Conrail requirement TRAIN CONTROL? 2020. This is most certainly the government has woefully night transpired the way they that there be a second crew On the heels of another cat- not in the public interest. underfunded Amtrak since its did. member in the control cab of astrophic railroad accident in Since 2005, the NTSB has com- inception. Additional crew BLET and SMART–TD do commuter rail trains on the Chatsworth, CA, the federal pleted 16 investigations of rail- members and new technology not make official comments Northeast Corridor. Armed government mandated in 2008 road accidents that could have both cost money, and so long about any ongoing NTSB in- with that legislative precedent that Positive Train Control been prevented or mitigated with as those in Congress see fit to vestigation. Due to the number — and mindful of where its (PTC) be put in effect by the PTC. These 16 accidents claimed underfund the operation, they of press inquiries concerning funding originates — Amtrak end of this year. That was sev- 52 lives — many being BLET and undermine their own mandate issues not under investigation, has since 1983 refused to crew en years ago. Even with that SMART–TD members — and in- and shortchange the safety of however, we are providing the Northeast Corridor trains with mandate in place, and with the jured 942 people, with damages the traveling public. following information on why more than one employee in the exception of some railroads totaling hundreds of millions of Amtrak trains on the North- cab – the locomotive engineer. such as BNSF Railway, the in- dollars. NTSB has publicly stated Sincerely, east Corridor are manned by a Although BLET and SMART– dustry at large has spent the in- that the accident on May 12, 2015 lone engineer in the control cab TD have steadfastly maintained terim finding reasons to avoid was also PTC preventable. There Dennis R. Pierce and why Positive Train Control that there should be two crew implementing PTC technology. is no disagreement over the value BLET National President (PTC) has not been installed members in the cab of all trains They have created the situation of PTC technology. & on the Corridor. The answers to ensure public safety, only about which they all now com- That said, there is no tech- John Previsich to both questions begin with Congress can change the 1981 plain — they say they cannot nology available today that can SMART Transportation the Congress. legislation that reduced crew meet the December 31, 2015 ever safely replace a second crew Division President That said, there is no technology available today that can ever safely replace a second crew member in the cab of the locomotive. BLET National Division Electronic Communications Policy fficial communications be- interpretations are made they have refer- the appropriate officer or staff for a time- cy is intended to allow the National Presi- tween BLET members and ence to a specific request and can be used ly response; however, an e-mail message is dent to be aware of the opinions and sug- the National Division require in future correspondence. not considered an official communication. gestions of the membership, while at the a hard copy of the correspon- The volume of e-mails received makes Moreover, anonymous e-mails and e- same time providing a timely response to dence,O bearing a signature, being received it impossible for the National President mails that do not provide sufficient in- the member’s unofficial communication, by the National President to be consid- to answer all unofficial communications. formation concerning the sender to en- if a response is necessary, without need- ered an “official communication.” This is Therefore, it is the policy of the BLET that able National Division staff to confirm the lessly expending limited BLET resources. to provide that the actual question(s) are e-mails addressed to the National Presi- sender’s membership status will not receive Adopted at Cleveland, Ohio on addressed, and ensures that when official dent will be reviewed and forwarded to any reply or acknowledgement. This poli- July 22, 2010. • MARCH/APRIL 2015 3

SPECIAL JOINT STATEMENT BY DENNIS R. PIERCE & JOHN PREVISICH GENERAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY JAMES P. HOFFA Renewed Commitment To Infrastructure Is Essential he U.S. has a long his- Conference would benefit from U.S. is in need of greater invest- tory as a beacon of eco- the additional work that would ment. ASCE noted in its most re- nomic opportunity for come from repairing and ex- cent report card that the current the world. This was panding railroad networks across state of American infrastructure achievedT by investing in infra- the country. only rates a D+. That’s no way to structure that could sustain both There is a need to think big — try and compete in today’s glob- citizens and businesses and allow real big. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) al economy. them to grow and succeed. is trying to do just that, unveiling This should be a matter that That commitment has waned, a proposal that would spend $1 transcends politics. When there is however, in recent years. Gov- trillion over the next five years to an issue that helps both workers ernment on all levels has not pro- beef up the country’s network of and businesses, that is a win-win vided funding to keep pace with bridges, roads and mass transit for lawmakers. But there still seems the nation’s road, transit and pub- that has fallen into disrepair. It’s to be hemming and hawing com- lic works needs. The result is a not an outrageous request, given ing from some on Capitol Hill. crumbling mess that hampers the American Society of Civil En- Rebuilding America is an is- the ability of workers to get to gineers (ASCE) has estimated that sue everyone should support. It’s their jobs and in many cases ac- $3.6 trillion should be spent on in- time for members of Congress to complish their duties as well as frastructure by 2020. make a real investment that will they could otherwise. It also af- President Obama is also rais- benefit the American economy fects the bottom line of many ing the ante on infrastructure, going forward. companies and hinders the hir- trotting out his own six-year, $478 ing of new employees. billion plan for transportation im- Fraternally, Many Teamsters would prof- provements. It’s not as bold, but it from a renewed commitment it’s a start. Now Congress just James P. Hoffa to infrastructure. For instance, needs to get with the program. Teamsters General members of the Teamsters Rail There can be no denying the President President Obama is also raising the ante on infrastructure, trotting out his own six-year, $478 billion plan for transportation improvements. It’s not as bold, but it’s a start. Now Congress just needs to get with the program. BLET urges Senators to oppose extension of Positive Train Control deadline he Brotherhood of Locomo- “Since 2005, the NTSB has completed 16 investiga- for – their large corporate benefactors or tive Engineers and Trainmen the general public. Those pushing this ex- (BLET) is strongly opposing tions of railroad accidents that could have been pre- tension have obviously forgotten the mul- S. 650, the Railroad Safety and vented or mitigated with Positive Train Control.” titude of avoidable railroad tragedies and TPositive Train Control Extension Act, resulting loss of life much quicker that I which was considered by the Senate Com- — VP & NLR John Tolman will ever be able to,” said President Pierce. mittee on Commerce, Science & Trans- comply with the law, and would effec- the same, but contrary to statements made “Since 2005, the NTSB has completed portation in late March. tively grant the railroads the requested by certain railroads, Positive Train Con- 16 investigations of railroad accidents Positive Train Control (PTC) is a tech- extension with little or no proof of legit- trol is not a new technology,” BLET Na- that could have been prevented or miti- nology that will prevent most train-to- imate need. tional President Dennis R. Pierce said. gated with Positive Train Control,” BLET train collisions in the rail industry, and Secretary of Transportation Antho- “It has been around in some form for Vice President & National Legislative was mandated by the Rail Safety Improve- ny Foxx said the Obama administration more than 40 years, and has been on the Representative John Tolman said. “These ment Act of 2008. The Deadline for im- is opposed to extending the PTC imple- National Transportation Safety Board’s 16 accidents claimed 52 lives and injured plementation of PTC technology is De- mentation deadline, testifying before the most wanted technology list since 1971. 942 people; the damages totaled hun- cember 31, 2015, and when it is House Transportation and Infrastruc- “The bottom line is that the technol- dreds of millions of dollars; and yet cer- completed, the technology will cover ture Committee in early February that ogy saves lives, both in the railroad work- tain railroads have spent the last seven nearly 60,000 miles of track. S. 650 pro- the U.S. Department of Transportation place and with the public in general. On years dragging their feet on the imple- poses extending the deadline for the im- (DOT) continues to hold the “industry’s the heels of the horrific railroad accident mentation of PTC. plementation of PTC from the current feet to the fire in getting PTC done as at Chatsworth, California that claimed “Each death caused by the delay of deadline to December 31, 2020, with the quickly as possible,” as opposed to allow- 27 lives, Congress mandated in 2008 that PTC’s implementation is one too many, possibility of an additional two-year ex- ing a blanket extension. In spite of that, PTC technology be implemented by the and Congress capitulating to the rail- tension to 2022. certain railroads have convinced their end of 2015. This latest push by Congress roads for this broad extension is In addition to the blanket extension, “friends” in Congress to propose just that. to now allow up to a 7-year delay raises most certainly not in the public inter- the legislation prohibits the Federal Rail- “Not all railroads have treated PTC the question of just who Congress works est,” Tolman said. • road Administration (FRA) from ever requiring railroads other than Class I and passenger/commuter railroads to Sign up for BLET News Flashes! have PTC if “the railroad does not choose to implement positive train control.” Ad- Register at www.ble-t.org The News Flash alerts are news ar- enter your email address to begin re- ditionally, it mandates that the FRA must to get Brotherhood news ticles from the BLET National Division ceiving the most current news from the respond to a railroad application for ex- emailed to you website that are automatically emailed BLET National Division. tension within 10 days, which makes it Stay up-to-date with the latest Broth- to you. It is a great way to keep informed on nearly impossible for FRA to perform the erhood news by going to the BLET web- To register, just go to www. the most recent issues impacting your sort of analysis required to deter- site and signing up to receive BLET News ble-t.org. In the lower right hand cor- job, your contract and your Brother- mine whether the applicant truly cannot Flash alerts via email. ner of the page, you will find an area to hood. 4 WWW.BLE-T.ORG

BLET, 9 other unions, request arbitration in NJ Transit negotiations he Brotherhood of Locomotive decision will come shortly thereafter. Engineers and Trainmen has By law, the NMB must first proffer asked the National Mediation binding arbitration to the unions and NJT Board (NMB) to proffer arbi- before it can release the parties from me- Ttration after reaching an impasse in con- diation. Once offered, if either side noti- tract negotiations with New Jersey Tran- fies the NMB that they reject binding ar- sit (NJT). bitration, that starts a 30 day cooling off The BLET’s request was made in con- period that must pass before the unions cert with the nine other unions of the New or the railroad would have any rights to ex- Jersey Transit Rail Labor Coalition. The ercise self help. During that time, or even Coalition represents 88 percent of the over- after that first opportunity for self help all rail union membership on NJT. It was has started, NJT, the Governor of any formed over the past several months af- State where NJT operates or the unions ter three years of bargaining by each union could request President Obama to appoint with the commuter rail agency proved un- a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) or successful. BLET began negotiations with the President could appoint one himself, NJT with the serving of a Section 6 No- which would reinstate the status quo and tice on April 12, 2011. Since that time, the reinstate the service. The process could BLET has held numerous bargaining meet- include two consecutive Presidential Emer- ings with NJT, both individually and as a gency Boards. The first PEB would most member of the Coalition. likely be appointed within 30 days of ei- Describing the differences in bargain- ther side’s rejection of the proffer of arbi- ing positions between the parties as “im- tration, thus postponing either party’s mense,” BLET National President Dennis rights to exercise self -help. Should the en- R. Pierce requested the proffer of arbitra- tire process run the full 270-day course tion in a letter to the NMB dated March without the parties reaching an agree- 27, 2015. Negotiations with NJ Transit have been stalled since 2011. ment, either side could resort to self-help, The Coalition elected to seek release af- however, insists on a concessionary con- Jersey Transit and gave NJT until April 6 at which time only an act of the U.S. Con- ter it became clear that NJT would not tract where employees with families to respond. At of press time, the BLET gress could end the lock out. make a reasonable offer. The Coalition would pay more than four times what they has not been apprised of the carrier’s re- “It is clear an impasse exists,” President has proposed a settlement patterned after pay now for health benefits. sponse. The NMB has requested the par- Pierce wrote. “I respectfully request contracts achieved this round with Long On March 23, the NMB forwarded the ties to meet in Washington D.C. in late the National Mediation Board proffer ar- Island Rail Road and Metro-North. NJT, Coalition Unions’ release requests to New April, and it is expected that the NMB’s bitration in this case.” •

Like Us On FacebOOk BLET officers complete LM-2 Secretary- Treasurer workshop ictured here are the BLET of- Treasurers from BLET General Commit- ficers who completed training tees of Adjustment and larger Divisions last week in the Education & along with some State Legislative Boards. Training Department’s LM-2 Among other items, Secretary-Treasur- PSecretary-Treasurer workshop (along with ers reviewed Secretary-Treasurers LM-2 classroom instructors and guests). The reporting, membership reporting, filing LM-2 report is a yearly financial report requirements, bond requirements, com- Accidents are unavoidable. required by the U.S. Department of Labor puter applications, as well as changes for for union groups with $250,000 or more 2015. On behalf of the BLET National Di- in total annual receipts. In general, the vision, thank you to all those who made Losing your income workshop was geared toward Secretary- this workshop a success. • doesn’t have to be. • claim payments up to your policy limit even if you sign a waiver • Receive your full daily benefit if you are decertified and decline to exercise your seniority • claim payments deposited in your account every week

(800) 514-0010 www.lecmpa.org

Transportation workers protecting each other since 1910. MARCH/APRIL 2015 5

RRB announces Spring 2015 dates for informational conferences and new pre-retirement seminars he U.S. Railroad Re- Spring 2015 June 12 Portland, Ore. June 19 Fargo, N.D. and contact information for the tirement Board (RRB) Informational Hilton Garden Inn, Portland Airport, Best Western Plus following seminars. has announced a 12048 NE Airport Way Kelly Inn & Suites, Conference Schedule June 5 Des Moines, Iowa schedule of dates for JU N E 2015 1767 S. 44th St. the agency’s spring 2015 Infor- June 12 Barboursville, UAW Local 450, T June 5 Billings, Mont. W.Va. Holiday Inn & Suites, 4589 Northwest mational Conferences and Pre- Spring 2015 Hilton Garden Inn Billings, 3551 U.S. Route 60 E 6th Drive Retirement Seminars. 2465 Grant Rd. Pre-Retirement Seminar Informational Conferences June 19 Tinley Park, Ill. Schedule June 19 Atlanta, Ga. will be held in 22 locations June 5 Indianapolis, Ind. Tinley Park Convention Please visit the Office of the Peachtree Summit across the country, which be- LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 5120 Victory Center, 18451 Labor Member’s section of the RRB Federal Building, gan March 13 in California. Dr. (I-465 & South Emerson Ave.) Convention Center Dr. home page for registration forms Summit Exchange, 1st Floor Started nearly 60 years ago by the RRB’s Office of the Labor ning to retire within five years Registration for each confer- Completed forms should be ees should also bring along an Member, the conferences pro- or less, the seminars familiar- ence begins at 8 a.m., with the mailed or faxed to the RRB of- additional copy of each item vide rail union officers with ize attendees with the retire- program starting at 8:30 a.m. fice listed on the form as soon to leave with the RRB field per- a comprehensive overview of ment benefits available to them, and concluding at 12:15 p.m. as possible. Check-in for each sonnel leading the seminars. the provisions and financing and also guide them through Pre-Retirement Seminars are seminar begins at 8 a.m., with Those unable to attend the of the railroad retirement and the application process. The open to the railroad public. the program starting at 8:30 seminars but still seeking pre- unemployment insurance sys- program began in 2014 on a pi- However, persons wishing to a.m. and concluding at retirement information should tems. These officials, in lot basis. attend are asked to print and 12:30 p.m. contact the RRB. Individual re- turn, pass on to their fellow Informational Conferences complete a registration form, Individuals who have not tirement counseling is available rail labor membership the in- are open to union officials and which is available by visiting previously submitted docu- in person at an agency field of- formation acquired at the con- their spouses by invitation only. the RRB’s website at www.rrb. ments required when filing fice, or by phone by contact- ferences. Labor representatives who do gov, and selecting the Office of a railroad retirement annuity ing the RRB toll-free at (877) Pre-Retirement Seminars are not receive an invitation to a the Labor Member’s Education- application, such as proofs of 772-5772. planned for several locations conference in their area al Materials link in the Spot- age, marriage, or military ser- Dates and locations for during the spring, with the first should contact the RRB toll- light section of the home page. vice, are encouraged to bring the agency’s fall schedule of In- held April 17 in Albuquer- free at (877) 772-5772 and re- Seminar space is limited this material (original docu- formational Conferences and que, N.M. Designed for railroad quest that they be added to the and registration is accepted on ments or certified copies re- Pre-Retirement Seminars will employees and spouses plan- agency’s invitation database. a first-come, first-served basis. quired) to the seminar. Attend- be released this summer. • Officers complete Local Chairman Workshop in Cleveland pproximately 20 Lo- cal Division officers were in Cleveland the week of March 23A for a Local Chairman Work- shop hosted by the BLET Educa- tion and Training Department. Among other items, the work- shop covered BLET organiza- tional structure and functions, representation of members at disciplinary and decertifica- tion hearings, union leader- ship skills, claim and griev- ance handling, and writing and editing skills. A highlight of the workshop came when at- tendees participated in a simu- lated disciplinary hearing. The workshop concluded on March 27. Thank you to all Brothers and Sisters for your participa- tion in this class! •

Advanced Local Secretary- Local Chairman Legislative For more information, please UPCOMING Chairman Class, Treasurer Class, Class, Representative contact Jason Wright, Coordinator Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland , of the BLET Education & Training WORKSHOPS Class Dept., at (216) 296-444 or Offered by the BLET Education August 30- September 28- October 11-16, 2015 Washington, D.C. [email protected]; or visit: and Training Department September 4, 2015 October 1, 2015 October 25-29, 2015 www.ble-t.org/departments/et/. 6 WWW.BLE-T.ORG

In the line of Duty Members Alexander T. Sassman affected by lexander T. Sass- 1080 N. Hills Blvd., Reno, NV man, a member of 89506 (phone: (800) 872-2657). BLET Division 692 Checks should be made pay- Anthem (Tracy, Calif.), was able to “Sassman Family Me- killedA in an on-duty motor ve- morial.” hicle accident near Fairfield, “This is a sad reminder of data breach Calif., on March 16, 2015. how fragile life really is, and ighmark Blue Cross Blue Brother Sassman, 51, was it breaks the heart of all rail- Shield is advising the BLET one of two railroad employ- roaders to learn of this trag- National Division and its ees who were in the taxicab edy,” BLET National Presi- members of steps being tak- being transported from their dent Dennis R. Pierce said. Hen in the aftermath of the Anthem data train to their off-duty loca- “Locomotive engineers and breach. tion when the accident oc- trainmen face dangers not Members are advised that Highmark curred. According to media only while on their trains, will send letters to its members that may reports, the taxi was a 2006 but also while deadhead- have been impacted by this breach. This Ford Crown Victoria that was ing and on the way to and letter will advise members that they may traveling at an estimated from work, as well. Destalee, have been impacted and that they will speed of 60 to 65 mph north- Chaim, Liam and Jaze are in be receiving a letter from Anthem with bound on I-680 just after 1 our thoughts and prayers. On more information. a.m. on March 16 when the behalf of all members of Additionally, Anthem began send- driver lost control. The vehi- taxi was transporting the two Brother Brian Carr, 1st Vice the Brotherhood of Locomo- ing letters to Highmark members on cle went airborne and over- Union Pacific employees from Chairman of the BLET’s Union tive Engineers and Trainmen, March 9. These letters advise members turned, rolling off the side of San Jose to Roseville. Pacific–Western Lines Gener- I extend our most heart- that they may be impacted by this breach the highway and landing on Brother Sassman is sur- al Committee of Adjustment, felt sympathies to the Sass- and that identify theft protection a road that runs parallel to the vived by his wife, Destalee, reports that a benevolent fund man family.” and credit monitoring is available to freeway. Brother Sassman was and three sons: Chaim, 22, to help the Sassman family In lieu of a funeral, the fam- them for two years. Due to the volume of pronounced dead at the scene. Liam, 17, and Jaze, 14. He during their time of need has ily organized a celebration of this breach, these Anthem letters will The cab’s second passenger, a hired out with the Union Pa- been established through U.S. Brother Sassman’s life. The me- be sent in order of priority and the conductor, survived but suf- cific on June 12, 2004, and Bank. Donations can be made morial barbecue and safety feed amount of risk the member may be at, fered major injuries. The joined the Brotherhood effec- at a U.S. Bank branch in your was on March 31 in Roseville, with highest risk members receiving cab driver also survived. The tive February 1, 2006. area, or mailed to: U.S. Bank, Calif. • letters first. Anthem will be sending over 1 million letters per day, which means that these letters from Anthem may take several months to complete. Also, members should be aware of Railroad unions advancing scam email campaigns targeting cur- rent and former Anthem members. These scams, designed to capture per- sonal information (known as “phish- two-person crew legislation ing”), are made to appear as if they are from Anthem and the emails include a “click here” link for credit monitoring. to protect safety These emails are NOT from Anthem. • DO NOT click on any links in email. ontinuing a cooperative “We will continue to work to protect contractual • DO NOT reply to the email or reach effort to promote safety out to the senders in any way. in the railroad industry, language to defend two-person crews, and it also is • DO NOT supply any information the Brotherhood of Lo- our goal to protect the safety of railroad workers and the on the website that may open if you have comotive Engineers and clicked on a link in email. Trainmen (BLET) and the Transporta- general public by advocating for passage of H.R. 1763.” • DO NOT open any attachments Ction Division of the International As- — President Dennis R. Pierce that arrive with email. sociation of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Finally, Anthem is not calling mem- Transportation Workers International concerns over crew size arising from the ation is a two-person crew operation. bers regarding the cyber attack and is Association (SMART) have jointly an- July 6, 2013 derailment of a Montreal, With several major train derailments not asking for credit card information nounced that legislation requiring at Maine & Atlantic (MM&A) oil train in having occurred in the last few months, or social security numbers over least two crew members on all freight Lac-Megantic, Quebec, which killed 47 most notably the oil train derailment the phone. trains in the U.S. has been introduced people and destroyed the center of the and explosion near Charleston, W.Va., Earlier this year, Anthem — a Blue in the 114th Congress. town. The MM&A train was crewed by in February, our lawmakers and the gen- Cross Blue Shield insurer with plans in The Safe Freight Act (H.R. 1763), in- a single person. Since that time, there eral public must understand that multi- multiple states — was the target of a so- troduced by Congressman Don Young has also been movement by major freight person crews are essential to ensuring phisticated external cyber attack. These (R-Alaska) on April 13, would require railroads to seek collective bargaining the safest rail operations possible in their attackers gained unauthorized access two crew members — one certified lo- agreements to allow for widespread use communities. I would like to thank Cong. to Anthem’s IT system and obtained comotive engineer and one certified con- of one-person train operations. Don Young (R-Alaska) for his leadership personal information on current and ductor — on all freight trains. The new- “The BLET continues to oppose and on this critical rail safety issue. No one former members such as their names, ly-introduced legislation mirrors H.R. condemn single-person freight opera- would permit an airliner to fly with just birthdays, medical IDs, social security 3040, which had more than 80 co-spon- tions as adverse to worker and public one pilot, even though it can fly itself. numbers, street addresses, email ad- sors last year prior to conclusion of the safety,” BLET National President Den- Trains, which cannot operate themselves, dresses and employment information, 113th Congress. H.R. 1763 has been re- nis R. Pierce said. “All parties involved should be no different.” including income data. • ferred to the House Committee on Trans- must understand that as things stand Congressman Young is serving his portation and Infrastructure. today, there are only two ways to end 22nd term as Alaska’s only representa- For more information, or if you H.R. 1763 would require that “no one-person train operations: federal laws tive in the House and is a former Chair- would like to monitor this freight train or light engine used in con- or regulations that outlaw this danger- man of both the House Transportation situation, please visit the nection with the movement of freight ous practice, or collectively bargained and Infrastructure Committee (2001- Your Track To Health website: may be operated unless it has a crew con- contract language that requires two crew 2007) and the House Natural Resources www.yourtracktohealth.com. sisting of at least 2 individuals, one of members on every train. We will con- Committee (1995-2001). • whom is certified under regulations pro- tinue to work to protect contractual lan- Anthem began sending letters mulgated by the Federal Railroad Ad- guage to defend two-person crews, and A copy of the bill is available to Highmark members on ministration as a locomotive engineer it also is our goal to protect the safety of for download as a PDF March 9. These letters will pursuant to section 20135, and the oth- railroad workers and the general public from the BLET website or advise members that they may er of whom is certified under regulations by advocating for passage of H.R. 1763.” from Congress.gov: promulgated by the Federal Railroad SMART Transportation Division www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/BILLS- be impacted by this breach Administration as a conductor pursu- President John Previsich said, “The 114hr1763ih-Young.pdf or and that identify theft protec- ant to section 20163.” SMART Transportation Division has al- www.congress.gov/bill/ tion and credit monitoring is The joint effort reflects heightened ways espoused that the safest rail oper- 114th-congress/house-bill/1763 available to them for two years. MARCH/APRIL 2015 7

Culture of retaliation Union Pacific Railroad disciplines locomotive engineer for reporting workplace injury, owes worker $350K in damages. More than 200 whistleblower complaints against railroad since 2001

(Source: U.S. Department ployee whistleblower rights, including of Labor’s Occupational Safety fact sheets, is available at http://www. and Health Administration whistleblowers.gov. (OSHA) press release, March 17, 2015) Under the Occupational Safety or the third time since 2011, the and Health Act of 1970, employers are Union Pacific Railroad has vio- responsible for providing safe and health- lated the Federal Railroad Safe- ful workplaces for their employees. OS- ty Act at its yard in North Platte HA’s role is to ensure these conditions SARAH FEINBERG Fby disciplining employees who reported for America’s working men and women workplace injuries and sought medical by setting and enforcing standards, and NAMED ACTING attention, the U.S. Department of La- providing training, education and assis- bor’s Occupational Safety and Health tance. For more information, visit https:// Administration has found. Since 2001, www.osha.gov/. • ADMINISTRATOR OF FRA n January 12, Sarah Feinberg was named Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Ad- the company has faced more than 200 ministration (FRA) by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. Immediately prior to her whistleblower complaints nationwide. Editor’s note: The U.S. Department FRA appointment, Feinberg was serving as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Trans- In the most recent case, OSHA inves- of Labor does not release the names of O portation. She succeeds Joseph C. Szabo who was appointed and confirmed as the agency’s 12th Ad- tigators determined that Union Pacif- employees involved in whistleblower com- ministrator is 2009. Szabo stepped down as the agency’s head last in early 2015. Feinberg becomes ic disciplined a 35-year-employee after plaints. the second woman to lead the agency since its founding in 1966. • the locomotive freight engineer report- ed injuries sustained in a Dec. 22, 2013 collision and received medical attention. The company has been ordered to pay the engineer $350,000 in punitive and compensatory damages and reasonable attorney’s fees, remove disciplinary in- formation from the employee’s person- nel record and provide information about whistleblower rights to all its employees. Prior to this incident, the employee had never been disciplined. “It is disheartening that this employ- ee, a loyal railroad worker for 35 years, NE faced disciplinary action because W Membe E he sought needed medical attention for rs Receive Two Months FRE a work-related injury. Union Pacific’s actions and the repeated complaints filed by their employees are indicative of a culture that doesn’t show that same loyalty to their workers or concern for their safety,” said Marcia P. Drumm, OS- HA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “Whistleblower protec- You don’t need the wisdom of Confucius to know that tions play an important role in keeping workplaces safe. It is not only illegal to discipline an employee for reporting an Brotherhood’s Relief and Compensation Fund injury and seeking medical attention, members have the best job income protection. it puts everyone at risk.” Members receive… Any of the parties in this case can file an appeal with the department’s • Initial two months of membership free Office of Administrative Law Judges. (effective February 1, 2015, for all new memberships) Based in Omaha, Union Pacific Cor- • Affordable, low cost monthly dues that offer superior value poration is one of America’s lead- • The highest available daily benefits per day To apply for membership speak with ing transportation companies. It has a BR&CF member in your terminal 47,000 employees and operates 8,000 • All members are encouraged to introduce and refer coworkers to this Brotherhood or visit our web site at locomotives over 32,000 route miles. OSHA enforces the whistleblower • Referral program participants earn $125 when introducing provisions of the FRSA and 21 other new, approved members www.brcf.org statutes protecting employees who re- • Earn $50 for each approved increase to existing members port violations of various airline, com- • An accidental death and dismemberment benefit while on mercial motor carrier, consumer prod- duty that pays up to $50,000 uct, environmental, financial reform, • A generous retirement benefit based on length of food safety, health care reform, nucle- membership ar, pipeline, worker safety, public trans- • $1,000 educational scholarships for the children of Call portation agency, railroad, maritime (800) 233-7080 members – twenty are awarded each year and securities laws. for answers to your questions Employers are prohibited from retal- DAILY BENEFIT $80 $100/$102 $150 $200/$201 $220 $250 iating against employees who raise var- ious protected concerns or provide pro- BR&CF $30.40 $38.00 $57.00 $76.00 $83.60 $95.00 tected information to the employer or monthly dues to the government. Employees who be- lieve that they have been retaliated LE&CMPA #7 Sch. 2 Not listed $59.50 $87.50 $117.25 Why pay a fortune against for engaging in protected con- monthly premium elsewhere? duct may file a complaint with the sec- BR&CF members pay less retary of labor to request an investiga- SMART - UTU $56.80 $71.00 $106.50 $142.00 per month for more in tion by OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection monthly assessment daily benefits. Program. Detailed information on em- MARCH/APRIL 2015 8

Advisory Board January 2015 Activity Locomotive Engineers And Trainmen News Periodicals Postage In accordance with the BLET Bylaws, summaries of BLET Advisory Board members’ activities are published monthly: Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers And Trainmen PAID NATIONAL PRESIDENT DENNIS R. PIERCE: National Division Office, Cleveland; General super- facing camera mtg., Scottsdale, Ariz.; UP-Southern Region GCA New York Dock, Article 1, Section 1370 Ontario Street, Mezzanine at Cleveland, OH. vision of BLET activities; General office duties; Correspondence and telephone communications; 4 negotiations, Scottsdale, Ariz.; UP-Central Region, Article 40(F) negotiations, St. Louis, Mo. Supervision of Office Administration; General Supervision of Special Representatives; President, VICE PRESIDENT GIL GORE: Assigned to all CSX; Grand Trunk Western; Union Pacific-Southern Cleveland, OH 44113-1702 Teamsters Rail Conference; Policy Committee, Teamsters Rail Conference; National bargaining, Region GCA special assignment; Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) issues, CSXT; General office Washington, D.C. duties, paperwork, correspondence, emails, telephone calls, etc.; Holiday; BLET conference calls; BLET Publications Committee: FIRST VICE PRESIDENT E.L. (LEE) PRUITT: National Duties include but not limited to: Director, Assisting GC Karakian, GTW, possible PLB; CSX earnings conference call w/ Union leaders; PLB Dennis R. Pierce, National President Passenger Dept.; Shortline Organizing Dept.; Trainmen’s Dept.; National Publications Committee; 7681, assisting GC Lyons, Atlanta; CAPS attendance policy Q&A follow up conference call; TTR; E. “Lee” Pruitt, First Vice President & Alternate President National Legislative Board; Teamsters Rail Conference Policy Committee; PRAC; and National Ne- Tallyrand Railroad contract negotiations. Stephen J. Bruno, National Secretary-Treasurer gotiations; Holiday; NYD negotiations, inward-facing camera mtgs., Phoenix, Ariz.; RSAC inward- VICE PRESIDENT MICHAEL D. PRIESTER: Assigned to all BNSF (former ATSF, former C&S, John P. Tolman, Vice President & National Legislative Rep. facing camera mtgs., Washington, D.C.; NYD negotiations, Fort Worth, Texas; National bargaining, CRI&P, FWD, former STL-SF, BNSF/MRL), Panhandle Northern, Missouri & North Arkansas, John V. Bentley Jr., Director of Public Relations & Editor Washington, D.C. Montana Rail Link, Great Western; Texas Pacifico; General office duties, telephone, email, cor- Bill Joyce, Art Director & Associate Editor NATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER STEPHEN J. BRUNO: General supervision of accounting respondence communications, etc.; Meetings with Divisions 249, 703 and 776, w/ GC Holdcraft, www.ble-t.org (216) 241-2630 department, records department, online services department, tax compliance department; Safety Houston; Division 518 mtg. w/ GC Wilson, Seattle; Mtgs. w/ BNSF Labor Relations and GC Wilson, Task Force; PAC and FEC reports and filings; Implementation and training for BLET membership Billings, Mont., Pasco, Wash., and Seattle, Wash.; Local Chairman training w/ GC Holdcraft, Fort COPYRIGHT 2014, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED database; Pension, STD, 457 plan Trustee; Division, General Committee and SLB monthly Trustee Worth; Steve Bratka memorial, Fort Worth. VOLUME 29 NUMBER 2 March/April 2015 reports; Meetings with vendors and financial institutions; Publications Committee, Passenger De- VICE PRESIDENT COLE W. DAVIS: Assigned to: Kansas City Southern (MidSouth Rail, SouthRail, partment; National Bargaining committee; IBT Human Rights Commission; Vacation. LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & TRAINMEN NEWS (ISSN 0898-8625) Gateway Western, Illinois & Midland), Texas Mexican Rwy.; CP Rail System/US (Indiana South- is published monthly by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, VICE PRESIDENT & NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN P. TOLMAN: Assigned ern, Iowa, Chicago & Eastern, Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern); Springfield Terminal (St. Lawrence & to BLET Washington, DC office; General office duties, telephone and correspondence communica- Atlantic, Delaware & Hudson), Cedar River, Louisville & Indiana, Huron & Eastern; General office 1370 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113-1702. tions; Coordinate content of NLO website; Weekly PAC committee and legislative mtgs.; Attended duties, telephone, email, correspondence communications, etc.; CPRR & DM&E issues, assisting Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. Transportation Research Board mtg. & reception, Washington, D.C.; Several mtgs. with Republican GC Semenek; KCS issues, assisting GC Parker; Mid South issues, assisting GC Craddock; Huron & Congressmen to discuss BLET’s 2015 legislative agenda and Congress’s agenda, Washington, D.C.; Eastern agreement, GC Latrig; Springfield Terminal negotiations w/ GC Moore, ; Louisville USPS: 0002-244 ISSN: 0898-8625 Mtg. with Association of American Railroads regarding inward facing cameras, Washington, D.C.; & Indiana issues, GC Daily; I&M RR negotiations w/ GC Craddock, Springfield, Mo.; Springfield POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mtgs. w/ State Legislators in Massachusetts to get H.R. 3040 sponsored in the House and Senate, Terminal and D&H issues, assisting GC Moore; PLB 7084 w/ GC Rodriguez, Ft. Myers, Fla. Mass.; Various meetings and functions with Representatives and Senators. Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen News — BLET Records Department, VICE PRESIDENT R.C. (RICK) GIBBONS: Assigned to: All Norfolk Southern General Commit- 1370 Ontario Street, Mezzanine Cleveland, OH 44113-1702. 5/15 VICE PRESIDENT MARCUS J. RUEF: Vice Chairman, National Railroad Adjustment Board (NRAB); tees; Wheeling & Lake Erie; Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern; New York, Susquehanna & Western; National Mediation Board (NMB) Arb. Adv. Forum; Department Head, BLET Arbitration Depart- New England Central; Southern; Western New York & Pennsylvania; Indiana & Ohio; ment; Assigned to Illinois Central, Wisconsin Central, Indiana Harbor Belt, Belt Railway of Chicago, Ohio Central; RSAC/RSIA Fatigue Management Group; General office duties, telephone, email, Metra, GRR and IRR; Holiday; Assist GC Cundari, IHB, Chicago; Assist GC Reynolds w/ LMRC mtg., correspondence communications; Holiday; WNY&P mediation w/ GC Ben Martin, Washington, Photo of the Month: March/April and assist GC Reynolds w/ Agreement condification project, WC, Green Bay; Assist GC Reynolds w/ D.C.; Tentative agreement mtgs. w/ GC Peek, Castlewood/Crewe, Va.; Tentative agreement mtgs. w/ mtg. prep. and w/ LMRC mtg., WC, Chicago; Assist GC Reynolds w/ rules cases, WC, Chicago; Assist GC Wallace, Stanford/Florence, Ky.; K.L. Jackson retirement party, North Kansas City, Mo.; Steve NEW NORFOLK SOUTHERN POWER: Assisting a unit train of West Virginia coal east toward their final export destination of Lam- GC Cundari w/ prep for IL RR negotiations; First Division docket review w/ Doug Davidson, NRAB, Bratka memorial service, Fort Worth, Texas; PLB 7663 and PLB 7238, GC Peek, Norfolk, Va. Chicago; Assist GC Semenek w/ arbitration prep, METRA, Chicago; General office duties. berts Point, Va., brand new EMD SD70ACe’s No. 1174 and No. 1175 serve as the Elkhorn pushers, eastbound on Norfolk Southern’s former VICE PRESIDENT JAMES P. LOUIS: Assigned Amtrak; Long Island Rail Road; New York & At- VICE PRESIDENT MIKE TWOMBLY: Assigned to all Union Pacific GCAs (Eastern District, North- lantic; Metro North; New Jersey Transit; PATH; SEPTA; Metra; Union Railroad; National Division Photo and caption: courtesy Chase Gunnoe Norfolk & Western mainline in Roderfield, W.Va. on January 18, 2015. ern Region (former C&NW), Western Lines (Pacific Harbor Lines), Western Region (Portland & Department Head, Education & Training Dept.; National Division Department Head, Internal Western), Central Region, Southern Region; On duty at home office; General office duties, tele- Organizing, Mobilizing & Strategic Planning Dept.; PATH negotiations, Legislative Representative phone, email, correspondence communications, etc.; All Union Pacific general committees inward class, Cleveland. Telephone calls, correspondence, email, general office duties, etc.

HEALTHCARE SWEEPSTAKES OFFERS CHANCE TO GET HEALTHY, WIN PRIZES

nited Healthcare is offering a sweep- stakes campaign to eligible BLET members Uand covered dependents to raise aware- ness of its wellness coaching programs. Quarterly drawings include Visa gift cards ranging in value from $25-$500 (200 winners per quarter). Railroaders receiving medical benefits through United Healthcare are eligible to enroll. Participation in the drawing requires members to enroll in one of the wellness coaching programs offered by United Healthcare and complete three calls with a wellness coach. Wellness coaching programs include: Healthy Weight, Quit Power, Stress Management, Exercise, Nutrition, Diabetes Lifestyle, and Heart Health. The campaign will run through December 31, 2015, and members can sign up for more than one program to increase their chances of winning. Take advantage of United Healthcare wellness programs to see how ACT NOW TO IMPROVE a few lifestyle changes may make a difference in your Are you a photographer? The National Division’s images to the “Photo of the Month” section of the News- Please note only high resolution images can be health. Call Railroad HEALTHLINK at (866) 735-5685 YOUR HEALTH. Public Relations Department, which produces the News- letter. If you’d like to submit a photo for consideration, used. Members are also encouraged to review their letter each month, has received numerous inquiries lately you may call Editor John Bentley at (216) 241-2630, ext. employer’s policies regarding the use of cameras and to connect with a wellness coach and create a per- You could win $500. Your health. Our focus 24/7. from BLET members volunteering to contribute their 248, or you can email: [email protected]. other electronic devices while on duty. sonal wellness plan that works with your busy sched-

• ule, or visit myuhc.com for more information. • •

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problems or recommend treatment and are not a substitute for your doctor’s care. Your health information is kept kept is information health Your care. doctor’s your for substitute a not are and treatment recommend or problems

only and provided as part of your health plan. Wellness nurses, coaches and other phone representatives cannot diagnose diagnose cannot representatives phone other and coaches nurses, Wellness plan. health your of part as provided and only

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