THE LOCOMOTIVE NGINEER ENEWSLETTER · AUGUST 2001 On to the Ballots due Sept. 14 in Senate! proposed UTU merger By 384-33 majority, House passes New union would end century of squabble
H.R. 1140; next stop is the Senate BLE members should now agreement that, “the future of formational tool. In the first have in hand ballots to vote on the craft of locomotive engi- week that it was launched, By a 384-33 majority, the tack from right-wing conser- the union’s proposed merger neer and the collective bar- more than 1,600 members reg- U.S. House of Representa- vatives who sought to derail with the United Transporta- gaining rights and working istered to receive copies of re- tives approved the Railroad the measure. tion Union, a merger that conditions, including seniority, sponses to questions. The vol- Retirement and Survivors’ On July 25, House Bud- would create the second-larg- of locomotive engineers shall ume of questions has been so Act of 2001 on July 31. get Committee Chairman est transportation union in the be decided by the vote of the great that they are being cat- It is now imperative that Jim Nussle (R-IA) removed AFL-CIO. BLE rank and file.” egorized, so that numerous H.R. 1140’s companion in H.R. 1140 from the House Ballots were mailed on If a majority of members questions concerning a par- the Senate, S. 697, be the calendar, stating he was op- August 6, along with the Unifi- approve the merger, the Unifi- ticular topic may be addressed first order of business when posed to the bill for budget- cation Agreement and Consti- cation Agreement and Consti- at one time. Senators return from their ary reasons. A quick tution of the new union, which tution of the newly established An informational meeting recess on September 4. grassroots effort by BLE will be called United Transpor- union will become effective was held in Cleveland on Au- All BLE and GIA mem- and GIA members, along tation Union-Brotherhood of January 1, 2002. gust 3-4 for all BLE General bers are encouraged to con- with the rest of rail labor, Locomotive Engineers, pend- “It was incumbent upon Chairmen and State Legisla- tact their Senators while forced Nussle to put the bill ing ratification by a majority of me as President of the BLE to tive Board Chairmen. At the they are home during the back on the calendar. BLE and UTU members. Sep- follow the traditions of our meeting, these officers dis- recess. “The hard work and tember 14 is the cut off date for democratic organization and cussed the unification agree- Members can find the dedication of BLE and GIA ballots to be received, and they allow the members to voice ment, side letters, and consti- address and phone number legislative officers and will be mailed to and tabulated their beliefs on this issue,” tution of the new union. of their Senators in the blue members made this vote by the American Arbitration President Dubroski said. If approved, the merger pages of their local phone possible,” said BLE Interna- Association in Cleveland, Ohio. A joint website designed to would create the AFL-CIO’s book or via the Internet at: tional President Edward After a comprehensive re- provide members and officers second-largest transportation
The Brotherhood of Locomotive sought relief from management harass- shortline railroad operator. tation. I am pleased to announce they Engineers took a huge leap forward in ment and intimidation. The workers RailAmerica owns nearly 11,000 miles made the brave choice, and the right organizing the vast shortline industry also sought a formal channel to redress of track in four countries on three con- choice.” on August 3 as workers on the Indiana their grievances with management. tinents. The BLE’s support of the shortline & Ohio Railroad, a subsidiary of BLE International President Ed- “The potential for thousands of new industry is apparent. In May, the BLE shortline giant RailAmerica, selected ward Dubroski congratulated all BLE union members exists in the shortline (along with the Brotherhood of Main- the BLE as their collective bargaining Special Representatives for their fine industry,” said BLE International Presi- tenance of Way Employes and the representative. work in the field. dent Edward Dubroski. United Transportation Union) agreed The votes were tabulated on Au- The Indiana & Ohio is a 492-mile “We have tapped a source of tre- to support legislation in the U.S. House gust 3 in Washington D.C., and an over- shortline, which runs from Flat Rock, mendous growth. I extend congratula- of Representatives, known as the Rail- whelming majority of the 49 Indiana & Mich., to Cincinnati, Ohio, hauling tions to the brave I&O workers who road Track Modernization Act of 2001. Ohio workers selected the BLE in the mostly soda ash, limestone, automo- were able to see through management’s The bill, H.R. 1020, would provide $350 National Mediation Board-sanctioned biles, trucks, lumber, chemicals and misinformation and make the right million annually in federal subsidies for representation election. various industrial products. It is one of choice. These workers, many with fami- each of the next three years to help re- BLE representatives were invited 39 shortline railroads owned by lies to support, put their livelihoods on habilitate Class II and Class III railroad on the property by I&O workers, who RailAmerica, the world’s largest the line for the sake of union represen- infrastructures. •
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Since 1863, a tradition of forward thinking Page 2 Locomotive Engineer Newsletter · August 2001 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE DC Feedback: Handrail chain requirements
Do you have a question about fed- they’ll get back to you as soon as pos- linked between locomotives. FRA pro- vision is the meaning of the words “con- eral laws, Federal Railroad Administra- sible. Select questions and answers will vided the following information taken tinuous barrier” and the term “safe tion rules that impact your job, or about be published regularly in the pages of from §49 CFR part 229.119 (e). That passage” and how that might be accom- pending legislation governing our in- the Locomotive Engineer Newsletter. provision states: plished. dustry? Send it to: This month’s installment deals with “(e) Similar locomotives with open Most locomotives are equipped D.C. Feedback, Brotherhood of the question of chains on handrails. end platforms coupled in multiple con- with safety chains that are attached Locomotive Engineers trol and used in road service shall have from one locomotive to another. While 10 G. Street N.E., Suite 480 • • • a means of safe passage between the chains, when attached loosely, may Washington, DC 20002 What are the requirements for them; no passageway is required meet requirements for providing a con- Or you can fax your questions to chains to be attached to handrails through the nose of car body locomo- tinuous barrier, they may not provide (202) 347-5237; or via e-mail to: between locomotives? tives. There shall be a continuous bar- for safe passage. If you are required [email protected]. According to the Federal Railroad rier across the full width of the end of to pick up locomotives en route please If the BLE’s National Legislative Of- Administration a recent incident re- a locomotive or a continuous barrier take the time to ensure the chains are fice does not have the answer on hand sulted in an injury to a railroad em- between locomotives.” properly fixed and not set so low as to (such as a federal interpretation), ployee when he fell over safety chains Key to the application of this pro- make them unsafe. • Members attend legislative training session in Cleveland
Twenty-three BLE members at- tended a two-day legislative training session in Cleveland on July 22-23, 2001. The two-day course is designed to educate Division Legislative Represen- tatives regarding their duties and to hone their communication skills. The course highlighted the legisla- tive and political process, describing how federal safety regulations are es- tablished. BLE International Vice-President & U.S. National Legislative Representa- tive Leroy Jones conducted the train- ing session, along with professional consultant David Mallino. Additional training sessions are BLE members attending the Legislative Training Session in Cleveland on July 23, 2001. Front row, from left: Don Spenlau, Div. 489; Jim scheduled for August 8-9 in Chicago, Ill., Louis, Div. 421; Michael Harting, Div. 263; Greg Powell, Div. 920; John R. Hill, Div. 565; Leroy Jones, BLE Vice-President & U.S. National and August 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo. Legislative Representative; Jim Ong, Div. 292; Larry Galati, Div. 325; Dave Caniff, Div. 370 and Secretary-Treasurer of the Pennsylvania State For details on future training ses- Legislative Board; and Jim Worles, Div. 101. sions, please contact the BLE’s Na- tional Legislative Office in Washington Second row, from left: Jim O’Neill, Div. 483; David Mallino; Row Spencer, Div. 185; Don Thacker, Div. 234; Willie Brown, Div. 255; Dan D.C. at (202) 347-7936, or via the Harris, Div. 812; Bob Sorg, Div. 370; Frank Battaglia, Div. 1; Tim Price, Div. 607; Rick Finamore, Div. 757; Tony Reed, Div. 124; Rodney Internet at:
elected Chairman by acclama- thority. From 1982 to 1990, Your BLE PAC tion. Rutter confirmed Rutter served Texas Gover- Rail accidents at pins have arrived In attendance at the meet- FRA Administrator nors Bill Clements and Mark 10-year low ing were Brothers Mike White, and worked for the Muscha, Regional Chairman, Texas House Transportation BLE members who con- U.S. Transportation Secre- On August 2, the U.S. De- and Doug Horstman, Oregon Committee. Most recently, tribute to the BLE-PAC fund tary Norman Y. Mineta on Au- partment of Transportation’s State Legislative Board Chair- Rutter developed transporta- should have received their la- gust 3 welcomed Allan Rutter Bureau of Transportation Sta- man. tion policy for Texas governor pel pins as this issue of the to the U.S. Department of tistics (BTS) released its Brother Carter expressed Rick Perry. Newsletter goes to press. Transportation (DOT) as the monthly Transportation Indi- appreciation and thanks to As FRA administrator, The pins are given to mem- Senate confirmed him as Fed- cators report showing that rail those Boards who made finan- Rutter will lead the regulatory bers who contribute to at a eral Railroad Administrator. accidents and incidents cial contributions to assist in and enforcement agency re- minimum of $60 per year. “I’m excited about Allan reached a 10-year low in April establishing the Nevada Board. sponsible for promoting safe Those who have not yet re- joining our team here at DOT. 2001, more than 6 percent be- BLE International Presi- and successful railroad trans- ceived their pins should con- His comprehensive knowledge low the number for April 2000. dent Edward Dubroski offered portation within the United tact the BLE’s National Legis- of transportation and his ex- The BTS report is a congratulations to Brother States, and work to advance lative Office by phone at (202) tensive background in rail monthly update of critical Carter and to all BLE members the policies of the Bush Admin- 347 7936 or via the Internet at: policy will be invaluable in transportation information in Nevada. istration regarding freight and
At commencement exercises held pursuing a Masters degree. He joined on June 30, 2001 in Silver Spring, Md., the BLE on October 1, 1988. After be- the National Labor College conferred ginning his coursework at the Univer- degrees on two BLE local chairmen. sity of Toledo in the 1970s, he saw at- Steven L. Christian, local chairman tending the National Labor College as of BLE Division 524 (Van Buren, Ark.), a way to level the playing field between and Rodney K. Cutlip, local chairman himself and the carrier’s representa- of BLE Division 385 (Toledo), both re- tives that he often squares off against. ceived Bachelor of Arts degrees in la- “I decided to arm myself with edu- bor studies from the college. cation. More education means that you Brother Chris- have more weap- tian became a BLE ons,” said Cutlip. member on July 1, “I think it makes 1977. He actually “I decided to arm myself the people I repre- completed his de- with education. More sent more com- gree from the Na- fortable — know- tional Labor Col- education means you have ing that I am lege late in 2000, more weapons.” equally as edu- but officially gradu- cated as the ated in June. Chris- — Rodney Cutlip carrier’s repre- tian, also the Vice- sentatives.” Chairman of the Arkansas State Leg- Both of these members have made islative Board, has been a union officer the Brotherhood proud, according to for more than 20 years, but always BLE International President Edward wanted to finish his education. He saw Dubroski. that opportunity in the form of the Na- “These Brothers have set an ex- tional Labor College. ample for all members of the Brother- “Running trains is a great job, but hood of Locomotive Engineers,” said it gets old after a while,” said Christian. President Dubroski. “They have fol- “I had always wanted to finish my edu- lowed in the footsteps of other BLE cation and become a better represen- members who have blazed a trail by tative for my union. More education graduating from the National Labor increases my effectiveness as an union College at the George Meany Center.” representative.” Five BLE members have graduated From left: In the lobby of the George Meany Center following commencement ceremonies at Brother Christian is furthering his from the National Labor College in the the National Labor College are International Vice-President William C. Walpert, Division 385 education by pursuing a Masters in past two years. (Toledo, Ohio) Local Chairman Rodney K. Cutlip, Division 524 (Van Buren, Ark.) Local Labor Relations from the University of Last year, Brothers R.J. Darcy, M.J. Chairman Steven L. Christian, and BLE International Vice-President & U.S. National Massachusetts at Amherst. Thiellen and R.G. Shaw also graduated Legislative Representative Leroy D. Jones. Over the past two years, five BLE members have Brother Cutlip also is considering from the National Labor College. • earned degrees from the National Labor College. Divisions must be ‘square on the books’ to seat delegates
With the upcoming Seventh Quinquennial BLE The convention begins September 24. It is essen- International Convention, all BLE divisions are re- tial that each division ensure that its July 2001 Inter- minded of the importance of their secretary-treasur- national Dues Remittance report is received by the ers filing their monthly dues reports in a timely fash- International Division prior to September 24. ion. All BLE division presidents and secretary-trea- Section 22, page 25, of the BLE Constitution & surers were formally reminded of this constitutional Bylaws states: “Any delegate whose division is not requirement in a letter dated July 3 from General Sec- square on the books and any division that has not retary-Treasurer R.W. Bennett. paid its pro rata assessments, as provided in the Con- The International Convention, held once every stitution and Bylaws, also its indebtedness to other five years, will take place at the Fontainebleau Hotel divisions, shall not be allowed a seat in the I.D.” in Miami, Fla., from September 24-28, 2001. • Logo for the Seventh Quinquennial International Convention NEWS BRIEFS
To curb costs, UP elimi- days off will increase worker The EEOC said in a July 10 ing “to remedy the illegal, com- UP cuts fatigue nated some work-rest agree- fatigue. That could lead to letter to a BNSF employee that pulsory regime of genetic test- rules, extra boards ments between itself and the more train accidents and pos- an investigation had found four ing of injured employees” by Brotherhood of Locomotive sibly injuries or deaths, he violations of federal law by the the BNSF. OMAHA — The Union Pa- Engineers. Those agreements said. railroad in conducting the ge- In the April 6 settlement, cific Railroad has ended 18- were implemented two years “We’re not very happy,” he netic tests. BNSF agreed to terminate all month-old safety measures de- ago after a series of fatal train said. “We thought they were In its letter, the EEOC al- genetic testing of employees signed to ease fatigue for ex- wrecks. The railroad said its good agreements.” • leges that BNSF acted “with represented by BMWE and tra board locomotive engineers decision would have no impact malice or reckless disregard BLE. BNSF also agreed to de- along its 33,000-mile system. on safety and was an option it for employees’ rights.” stroy all blood samples and The rail company ended had always preserved. BNSF may have In a major victory for orga- records of testing previously work-rest agreements that had The BLE, however, says nized labor and workers’ done (when authorized by the given some extra board engi- that the changes will result in violated law rights, the BNSF settled a law- affected individuals), confirm- neers guaranteed days off. The engineers working while tired OMAHA — The U.S. Equal suit filed by the Brotherhood of ing the status of the destruc- company also eliminated 300 and will compromise safety. It Employment Opportunity Maintenance of Way Employes tion to the BMWE and BLE, jobs for additional back-up en- also says engineers’ quality of Commission has found that the to stop the coercive genetic and agreed not to discipline gineers — back-up substitutes life will suffer. Burlington Northern Santa Fe testing of its employees. any employee for failure to — whose work had made the General Chairman Mike Railroad may have violated The BMWE filed suit on comply with requests for medi- guaranteed days off possible. Young of Cheyenne, UP-East- federal law in performing ge- February 9 against BNSF and cal information in connection UP says those engineers have ern District, said engineers netic tests on employees with- Athena Diagnostics, and was with previously conducted been transferred to other jobs. fear the loss of guaranteed out their knowledge. soon joined by the BLE, seek- tests. • Page 4 Locomotive Engineer Newsletter · August 2001 CANADIAN SPOTLIGHT Les ingénieurs demandent d'agir sur le sujet de la fatigue Il est difficile pour les ingénieurs de rester réveillé sur les chemins de fer canadiens
En parlant de déraillements de ans avant de travailler pour la travaillé un quart de travail d’au C’est parce que les trains train, celle-ci en est une bonne. Fraternité des ingénieurs de locomo- moins 10 heures, les ingénieurs marchandises ne fonctionnent pas Il n’y a eu aucunes blessures et tives. Tout comme la plupart des ferroviaires ne peuvent pas retourner d’ordinaire à l’heure prévue. Quand aucun échappement de chimiques ou ingénieurs, a-t-il dit, il a quelques fois en devoir jusqu’à ce qu’ils aient eu au les ingénieurs vont sur appel, ils ne déchets dangereux lorsqu’un train du perdu la bataille pour rester réveillé. moins huit heures hors service. savent pas vraiment quand leurs Canadien National en direction de Monsieur Hucker est maintenant Le désastre de Hinton a aussi trains vont quitter. Les chemins de l’est est entré en collision avec le côté l’homme de pointe du Syndicat sur le mené à l’installation d’un bouton fer fournissent la liste des employés d’un train du CN en direction de sujet de la fatigue. d’urgence qui doit être pressé à sur des messages enregistrés, mais l’ouest à 4h42 près de Basque, CB. «␣ C’est le sujet principal des gens toutes les minutes ou deux. Si non, ceux-ci sont toujours sujets à Les enquêteurs ont cherché la qui opèrent la machinerie lourde les freins automatiques sont engagés changer. cause physique de l’accident en comme les ingénieurs de locomo- et une alarme sonne. «␣ V ous ne pouvez anticiper octobre 1998 et n’en ont trouvé tives␣ », de dire Monsieur Huck er. Le bouton aide à traiter d’une des chaque dérangement potentiel. C’est aucunes. Au lieu de ça, ils ont conclu L’image d’un ingénieur de train grandes ironies du domaine du à ce moment-là que la pré-sieste que l’accident était probablement marchandises qui s’endort aux transport. Laquelle est, le plus facile survient. Lorsqu’il y a un délai, cet survenu lorsque l’ingénieur de contrôles semble quelque peu moins que devient le travail, le plus difficile employé peut prendre avantage de locomotive du train en direction de menaçant que de penser aux pilotes qu’il est de rester réveillé. cette option pour s’assurer que sa l’Est a fait un bref «␣ micro-sommeil␣ » qui somnolent dans la cabine de Lorsque les chemins de fer vigilance est à point␣ », de dire le après avoir été réveillé pendant 20 pilotage ou de camionneurs qui étaient construits à travers le Canada porte-parole du CN, Mark Hollman. des 21 heures précédentes. s’endorment au volant. à la fin des années 1800, le travail Docteur Berry Prentice, directeur Ça aurait pu être pire. Un Mais considérez ceci. Un train ferroviaire incluait de pelletier le de l’Institut du transport de accident semblable près de Topeka, qui heurte une voiture à un passage à charbon à la main et opérer la l’Université du Manitoba, a dit que les KN en 1997 a causé la mort de niveau a le même impact qu’une locomotive pour ramasser et restituer heures aléatoires et non-cédulées que l’ingénieur du train et plus de 5 voiture qui heurte une canette de les wagons à divers endroits. Ces les chemins de fer demandent à leurs millions $ (US) de dommages et forcé boisson gazeuse. Dans de telles tâches, lesquelles demandaient de employés sont un défi à l’horloge l’évacuation de plus de 1400 résidents situations, les voitures sont l’attention et de maintenir une biologique. «␣ Si vous avez une de leur maison. habituellement détruites bien que le vigilance, ne font plus partie de structure de sommeil perturbée alors Les enquêteurs ont conclu que train puisse s’en réchapper avec l’emploi. vous courrez après les problèmes en l’ingénieur mort s’était probablement aucune égratignure. Les ingénieurs disaient que les terme de fatigue et les gens qui endormi brièvement avant la colli- En 1999, il y a eu 109 morts changements au contrat syndical au s’endorment aux commandes␣ », a-t-il sion, après avoir été réveillé pour 18 impliquant des trains au Canada. De Canadien Pacifique en 1995 ont fait dit. _ heures. ceux-ci, la grande majorité qu’il est même plus difficile de rester Lors de l’accident à Basque, La fatigue est un grand danger impliquant des collisions avec des réveillé. Ces changements l’ingénieur de train en direction de sur la sécurité affectant l’industrie du véhicules (28 morts) et des piétons permettent à la Compagnie de l’est a appelé pour vérifier la liste des transport, que ce soit les pilotes qui (63 morts). Il y a eu aussi sept déplacer les travailleurs haut-le-pied employés à 9h et a appris qu’il ne font la sieste dans la cabine de passagers et trois employés qui sont à une autre location par taxi, sans serait pas disponible à travailler pilotage, les camionnages cognant décédés. leur donner une chance de s’inscrire avant tard ce soir-là ou tôt le matin des clous au volant ou les ingénieurs Bien que la plupart des morts en repos à leur arrivée. suivant. À cause de cela, il a planifié qui s’endorment aux contrôles. ferroviaires ne sont pas causée par la Le porte-parole du CP, Ian La dormir tôt dans la soirée. Sous pression de voyager de fatigue, elle a joué un rôle dans un Couvée dit que bien qu’il y ait Mais à 12h30, il apprenait que son longues distances sous des conditions des pires accidents de train de toujours place pour de l’amélioration, train partirait à environ 18h30 et était monotones, les travailleurs disent l’histoire canadienne. Vingt-trois le chemin de fer croit que ses seulement capable de dormir une qu’ils jouent avec la mort. personnes sont décédées après qu’un politiques sont sécuritaires. heure avant de se rapporter en «␣ Je me bats. T out le monde se train marchandises du Canadien Mais il dit que la question de service. bat. J’ai tombé endormi pendant National est entré en collision avec un fatigue n’est pas quelque chose que la Mike Brown, qui est décédé lors quelques secondes », a dit David train VIA près de Hinton, AB, en Compagnie peut adresser par elle- de la collision de Topeka, a vérifié la Boyko, un ingénieur de Winnipeg qui 1986. même. Il dit que les travailleurs ont liste des employés enregistrée a demandé à Ottawa de porter plus Bien que l’équipe se soit reposée aussi une responsabilité de s’assurer lorsqu’il s’est réveillé le matin et a d’attention sur le sujet de la fatigue avant de prendre les commandes du qu’ils sont bien reposés. découvert que son train n’était pas sur les voies de chemin de fer. «␣ V ous train, ils n’ont pas eu suffisamment Certains chemins de fer des É.U. cédulé partir avant 17h. Comme ne pouvez ignorer ce sujet. C’est une de repos, de conclure les enquêteurs. ont des politiques en place pour des d’habitude, la liste des employés a bombe à retardement.␣ » L’ingénieur a dormi, au plus, 3 _ siestes contrôlées, lesquelles changé durant la journée et le train Il existe des règlements au heures; l’agent de train, cinq heures; permettent aux ingénieurs fatigués de Monsieur Brown n’a pas quitté Canada et aux États-Unis limitant le le chef de train, quatre heures. de retirer le train de la ligne avant 12 _ heures après qu’il fut sorti nombre d’heures que les travailleurs L’accident a amplifié la principale pour faire la sieste. du lit. des chemins de fer peuvent travailler sensibilisation de la fatigue et a eu Bien que les chemins de fer des «␣ C’était une situation courante. et prévoyant des périodes de repos. pour conséquence de limiter la É.U. ne permettent pas de siestes Il ne savait jamais lorsqu’il quittait, La plupart des quarts de travail ne journée de nouvelle tâche qui a été contrôlées dans les trains, ils ont combien de temps il serait parti ou peuvent excéder 12 heures au adopté à travers l’industrie. établi des installations à différents même combien de temps il serait à la Canada. Les quarts de travail sont endroits où les ingénieurs peuvent se maison␣ » a dit la veuve de Monsieur Mais dans les cas de Basque et généralement limités à 12 heures et reposer avant un quart de travail si Brown aux enquêteurs du Conseil Topeka, les ingénieurs travaillaient les ingénieurs ne travaillent pas plus un train est retardé. national de la sécurité des transports. dans les limites de ces règlements, de 18 heures dans une période de 24 Mais Monsieur Boyko dit qu’il est «␣ La dernière fois que j’ai appelé lorsqu’ils semblent qu’ils se soient heures. encore possible pour un ingénieur cet enregistrement, il était encore endormis. Dans de rares exceptions, un ferroviaire d’opérer un train de 7200 inexact. On y disait que Mike était George Hucker a travaillé sur les quart de travail peut s’étendre tonnes après avoir été debout pour encore en service. C’était à 8h30 le 2 chemins de fer pendant environ 20 jusqu’à 16 heures. Après avoir plus de 24 heures. juillet 1997, approximativement deux heures après que Mike soit décédé.␣ » Locomotive Engineer Newsletter · August 2001 Page 5 CANADIAN SPOTLIGHT Engineers plead for action on fatigue Canadian railways make it hard for engineers to stay awake
BLE Editor’s Note: The lost the battle to stay awake. following article is re- Mr. Hucker is now the union’s printed with permission point man on the issue of fa- from The Globe and Mail. The tigue. article was originally pub- “It is the number one issue lished on June 12, 2001. for people who are operating heavy machinery like locomo- As train derailments go, tive engineers,” he said. this was a good one. The image of a freight train There were no injuries and engineer falling asleep at the no release of hazardous chemi- switch seems somehow less cals or waste when an east- threatening than thoughts of bound Canadian National train pilots dozing in the cockpit or collided with the side of a west- truckers falling asleep at the bound CN train at 4:42 a.m. wheel. near Basque, B.C. But consider this. A train Investigators searched for hitting a car at a railway cross- a physical cause for the Octo- ing packs the same punch as a ber 1998, accident, but found car hitting a soft-drink can. In none. Instead, they concluded such encounters, the cars are that the accident likely oc- usually destroyed while the curred when the locomotive trains can escape unscratched. One of the lead locomotives in the July 2, 1997 crash that took the life of BLE member Mike Brown. The NTSB engineer on the eastbound In 1999, there were 109 fa- concluded that fatigue played a role in the fatality. (BLE Safety Task Force file photo) train fell into a brief talities involving trains in “microsleep” after being Canada. Of these, the vast ma- Une des locomotives de tête de la collision du 2 juillet 1997 qui a tué Mike Brown, membre de la FIL. Le NTSB awake for 20 of the previous 21 jority involved collisions with a conclu que la fatigue a joué un rôle dans l'accident mortel. (Photo du dossier du Groupe de travail sur la hours. vehicles (28 deaths) and tres- sécurité de la FIL) It could have been a lot passers (63 deaths). There worse. A similar accident near were also seven passenger Topeka, Kan., in 1997, killed deaths and three dead employ- the train’s engineer, caused ees. led to the installation of an But he said the issue of fa- a challenge to the body’s cir- more than $5-million (U.S.) in While most railway deaths emergency button that must be tigue isn’t something the com- cadian clock. “If you have a damage and forced more than are unrelated to fatigue, it did pushed every minute or two. If pany can address on its own. very disruptive sleep pattern, 1,400 residents from their play a role in one of the worst not, automatic brakes are en- He said workers also have a then you’re asking for trouble homes. train accidents in Canadian gaged and an alarm sounds. responsibility to make sure in terms of fatigue and people Investigators concluded history. Twenty-three people The button helps deal with they’re well-rested. falling asleep at the switch,” he that the dead engineer prob- Some U.S. railways have said. ably fell asleep shortly before policies in place for controlled In the accident at Basque, the collision, after being awake napping, which allow tired en- the engineer of the eastbound for more than 18 hours. “I struggle. Everybody struggles. I have gineers to pull the train off the train called in to check the Fatigue is a huge safety mainline to nap. lineup at 9 a.m. and learned hazard plaguing the transpor- fallen asleep for a few seconds. You can’t While Canadian railways that he probably wouldn’t be tation industry, whether it is don’t allow controlled napping up for duty until late that night pilots napping in the cockpit, ignore this. It’s a time bomb.” in the trains, they have set up or early the next morning. As truckers nodding off at the napping facilities at some loca- a result, he planned to sleep in wheel, or engineers asleep at — David Boyko, BLE Division 76 (Winnipeg) tions where engineers can rest the early evening. the switch. before a shift if a train is de- But at 12:30, he learned Under pressure to travel layed. that his train would leave at long distances under monoto- died after a Canadian National one of the great ironies in But Mr. Boyko said it’s still about 6:30 p.m. and was only nous conditions, workers say Railway Co. freight train col- transportation work. That is, possible for a railway engineer able to catch an hour of sleep they are flirting with disaster. lided with a Via Rail train near the easier the job gets, the to drive a 7,200-tonne train af- before reporting for duty. “I struggle. Everybody Hinton, Alta., in 1986. harder it is to stay awake. ter being awake for up to 24 Mike Brown, who died in struggles. I have fallen asleep Although the crew had When the railways were hours. the Topeka collision, checked for a few seconds,” said David rested before taking control of first built across Canada in the That’s because freight the recorded lineup when he Boyko, a Winnipeg engineer the train, they did not get late 1800s, railway work in- trains don’t typically run on woke in the morning and found who has been asking Ottawa to enough sleep, investigators cluded hand-shovelling coal schedules. When engineers go that his train wasn’t scheduled pay more attention to issues of concluded. The engineer had and operating the locomotive on call, they never really know to leave until 5 p.m. As usual, fatigue on the rails. “You can’t slept, at most, for 3 hours; the to pick up and drop off cars at when their trains will leave. the lineup changed during the ignore this. It’s a time bomb.” trainman, five hours; the con- various locations. Those tasks, The railways put the lineups day and Mr. Brown’s train There are regulations in ductor, four hours. which demanded attention and on recorded messages, but didn’t leave until 12 hours af- Canada and the United States The accident heightened maintained alertness, are no these are always subject to ter he got out of bed. capping the number of hours awareness of fatigue and re- longer part of the job. change. “This was a common oc- railway workers can be on duty sulted in new duty day limits Engineers said 1995 “You can’t anticipate every currence. He never knew when and prescribing rest periods. that have been adopted across changes to the union contract potential disruption. That’s he would leave, how long he Most shifts can’t be longer than the industry. at Canadian Pacific Railway where the prenapping comes would be gone, or how long he 12 hours in Canada. Shifts are generally limited Co. have made it even harder in. When there’s a delay, that would be home either,” Mr. But in both Basque and to 12 hours and engineers can’t to stay awake. These changes employee can take advantage Brown’s widow told investiga- Topeka, the engineers were work more than 18 hours in a allow the firm to deadhead of that option to make sure that tors with the National Trans- working within the limits of 24-hour period. Under rare workers to another location by their alertness is there,” CN portation Safety Board. these rules when they appear exceptions, a shift can be up to cab, without giving them a spokesman Mark Hallman “The last time I called that to have fallen asleep. 16 hours long. After working a chance to book rest when they said. recording, it was again inaccu- George Hucker worked on shift of at least 10 hours, rail- arrive. Dr. Barry Prentice, direc- rate. It said Mike was still on the rails for about 20 years way engineers can’t be called CPR spokesman Ian La tor of the University of duty. That was 8:30 a.m. July before leaving to work at the back for duty until they have Couvée said that while there is Manitoba’s Transport Insti- 2, 1997, approximately two Brotherhood of Locomotive had at least eight hours off. always room for improvement, tute, said the random, un- hours after Mike was pro- Engineers. Like most engi- The Hinton disaster also the railway believes its policies scheduled hours that railways nounced dead.” • neers, he said, he sometimes are safe. demand of their employees are Page 6 Locomotive Engineer Newsletter · August 2001 BLE NEWS Importance of a ‘current connection’
Under the Railroad Retirement Act, 3. Are there any exceptions to could only meet the current connection 7. Could the 1981 exception pro- a “current connection with the railroad these normal procedures for deter- requirement under the normal proce- vision apply in cases where an em- industry” is one of the eligibility re- mining a current connection? dures. ployee has 25 years of railroad re- quirements for occupational disability Since 1981, a current connection An employee considering accepting tirement coverage and a company annuities and supplemental annuities, can be maintained for purposes of a separation allowance should also be reorganization results in the and is one of the criteria for determin- supplemental and survivor annuities if aware that if he or she relinquishes job employee’s job being placed under ing whether the Railroad Retirement the employee completed 25 years of rights to accept a separation allowance, social security coverage? Board or the Social Security Adminis- railroad service, was involuntarily ter- the compensation cannot be used to The exception provision has been tration has jurisdiction over the pay- minated without fault credit additional service considered applicable by the Board in ment of monthly benefits to survivors from the railroad in- months beyond the month in cases where a 25-year employee’s job of a railroad employee. dustry, and did not which the employee severed changed from railroad retirement cov- The following questions and an- thereafter decline an his or her employment rela- erage to social security coverage and swers describe the current connection offer to return to tion, regardless of whether the employee had, in effect, no choice requirement and the ways the require- work in the same payment is made in a lump available to remain in railroad retire- ment can be met. class or craft as his sum or on a periodic basis. ment covered service. or her most recent Such 25-year employees have been 1. How is a current connection railroad service, re- 6. What if an employee is deemed to have a current connection determined under the Railroad Re- gardless of the loca- given the option of retain- for purposes of supplemental and sur- tirement Act? tion of the work of- ing job rights and receiv- vivor annuities. To meet the current connection re- fered. ing monthly dismissal al- quirement, an employee must generally If all of these requirements are met, lowances until retirement age? 8. Where can a person get more have been credited with railroad ser- an employee’s current connection may If an employee retains job rights specific information on the current vice in at least 12 months of the 30 not be broken, even if the employee and receives monthly dismissal allow- connection requirement? months immediately preceding the works in regular nonrailroad employ- ances, the compensation is credited to Railroaders and former employees month his or her railroad retirement ment after the 30-month period and the months for which payments are al- can contact the nearest field office of annuity begins. If the employee died before retirement or death. This excep- located. This is true even if the em- the Railroad Retirement Board for in- before retirement, railroad service in tion to the normal current connection ployee later relinquishes job rights af- formation on how their eligibility for at least 12 months in the 30 months requirement became effective October ter the end of the period for which a benefits is affected by this requirement. before death will meet the current con- 1, 1981, but only for employees still liv- monthly dismissal allowance was paid. Most Board field offices are open to the nection requirement for the purpose of ing on that date who left the rail indus- If the payments continued until re- public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mon- paying survivor benefits. try on or after October 1, 1975, or who tirement age, this could extend the day through Friday. However, if an employee does not were on leave of absence, on furlough, employee’s rail service until that time In addition, information can be ac- qualify on this basis, but has 12 months’ or absent due to injury on October 1, and thereby also maintain his or her cessed through the Railroad Retire- service in an earlier 30-month period, 1975. current connection, regardless of years ment Board’s Internet website at he or she may still meet the current of service.
Representatives who voted Party Affiliation Yeas Nays Non-voters “nay” on H.R. 1140 Ballenger (R-NC) Jones (R-NC) Republican 184 31 6 Schaffer (R-CO) Chabot (R-OH) Kolbe (R-AZ) Democrat 198 2 10 Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) Cox (R-CA) Largent (R-OK) Independent 2 0 0Shadegg (R-AZ) DeLay (R-TX) Totals 384 33 16 Miller (R-FL) Shays (R-CT) DeMint (R-SC) Miller (R-CA) Smith (R-MI) Representatives who voted Dingell (D-MI) Kilpatrick (D-MI) Rehberg (R-MT) Flake (R-AZ) “yea” on H.R. 1140 Doggett (D-TX) Kind (D-WI) Reyes (D-TX) Myrick (R-NC) Dooley (D-CA) King (R-NY) Reynolds (R-NY) Stenholm (D-TX) Abercrombie (D-HI) Doolittle (R-CA) Kingston (R-GA) Riley (R-AL) Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) Ackerman (D-NY) Doyle(D-PA) Kirk (R-IL) Rivers (D-MI) Paul (R-TX) Aderholt (R-AL) Dreier (R-CA) Kleczka (D-WI) Rodriguez (D-TX) Sununu (R-NH) Akin (R-MO) Duncan (R-TN) Knollenberg (R-MI) Roemer (D-IN) Hefley (R-CO) Allen (D-ME) Dunn (R-WA) Kucinich (D-OH) Rogers (R-KY) Pence (R-IN) Andrews (D-NJ) Edwards (D-TX) LaFalce (D-NY) Rogers (R-MI) Tancredo (R-CO) Armey (R-TX) Ehlers (R-MI) LaHood (R-IL) Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) Herger (R-CA) Baca (D-CA) Ehrlich (R-MD) Lampson (D-TX) Ross (D-AR) Pitts (R-PA) Bachus (R-AL) Emerson (R-MO) Langevin (D-RI) Rothman (D-NJ) Taylor (D-MS) Baird (D-WA) Engel (D-NY) Lantos (D-CA) Roukema (R-NJ) Hoekstra (R-MI) Baker (R-LA) English (R-PA) Larsen (D-WA) Roybal-Allard (D-CA) Rohrabacher (R-CA) Baldacci (D-ME) Eshoo (D-CA) Larson (D-CT) Rush (D-IL) Thomas (R-CA) Baldwin (D-WI) Etheridge (D-NC) Latham (R-IA) Ryan (R-WI) Johnson (R-TX) Barcia (D-MI) Evans (D-IL) LaTourette (R-OH) Ryun (R-KS) Royce (R-CA) Barr (R-GA) Everett (R-AL) Lee (D-CA) Sabo (D-MN) Weldon (R-FL) •␣ Barrett (D-WI) Farr (D-CA) Levin (D-MI) Sanchez (D-CA) Sanders (I-VT) Bartlett (R-MD) Fattah (D-PA) Lewis (R-CA) Representatives who did not Sandlin (D-TX) Barton (R-TX) Ferguson (R-NJ) Lewis (D-GA) cast a vote on H.R. 1140 Bass (R-NH) Filner (D-CA) Lewis (R-KY) Sawyer (D-OH) Saxton (R-NJ) Becerra (D-CA) Fletcher (R-KY) Linder (R-GA) Cramer (D-AL) Scarborough (R-FL) Bentsen (D-TX) Foley (R-FL) LoBiondo (R-NJ) Hastings (D-FL) Schakowsky (D-IL) Bereuter (R-NE) Forbes (R-VA) Lofgren (D-CA) Hutchinson (R-AR) Schiff (D-CA) Berkley (D-NV) Ford (D-TN) Lowey (D-NY) Hyde (R-IL) Schrock (R-VA) Berman (D-CA) Fossella (R-NY) Lucas (D-KY) Jones (D-OH) Scott (D-VA) Berry (D-AR) Frank (D-MA) Lucas (R-OK) Leach (R-IA) Serrano (D-NY) Biggert (R-IL) Frost (D-TX) Luther (D-MN) Lipinski (D-IL) Sessions (R-TX) Bilirakis (R-FL) Gallegly (R-CA) Maloney (D-CT) Markey (D-MA) Shaw (R-FL) Bishop (D-GA) Ganske (R-IA) Maloney (D-NY) Moran (D-VA) Sherman (D-CA) Blagojevich (D-IL) Gekas (R-PA) Manzullo (R-IL) Nadler (D-NY) Sherwood (R-PA) Blumenauer (D-OR) Gephardt (D-MO) Mascara (D-PA) Oxley (R-OH) Shimkus (R-IL) Blunt (R-MO) Gibbons (R-NV) Matheson (D-UT) Peterson (D-MN) Shows (D-MS) Boehlert (R-NY) Gilchrest (R-MD) Matsui (D-CA) Spence (R-SC) Shuster (R-PA) Boehner (R-OH) Gillmor (R-OH) McCarthy (D-MO) Stark (D-CA) Simmons (R-CT) Bonilla (R-TX) Gilman (R-NY) McCarthy (D-NY) Toomey (R-PA) Simpson (R-ID) Bonior (D-MI) Gonzalez (D-TX) McCollum (D-MN) Watson (D-CA) • Bono (R-CA) Goode (I-VA) McCrery (R-LA) Skeen (R-NM) Borski (D-PA) Goodlatte (R-VA) McDermott (D-WA) Skelton (D-MO) Boswell (D-IA) Gordon (D-TN) McGovern (D-MA) Slaughter (D-NY) Boucher (D-VA) Goss (R-FL) McHugh (R-NY) Smith (R-NJ) Boyd (D-FL) Graham (R-SC) McInnis (R-CO) Smith (R-TX) Brady (D-PA) Granger (R-SX) McIntyre (D-NC) Smith (D-WA) Brady (R-TX) Graves (R-MO) McKeon (R-CA) Snyder (D-AR) ‘Target List’ Brown (D-FL) Green (D-TX) McKinney (D-GA) Solis (D-CA) Brown (D- OH) Green (R-WI) McNulty (D-NY) Souder (R-IN) Brown (R-SC) Greenwood (R-PA) Meehan (D-MA) Spratt (D-SC) of S. 697 non- Bryant (R-TN) Grucci (R-NY) Meek (D-FL) Stearns (R-FL) Burr (R-NC) Gutierrez (D-IL) Meeks (D-NY) Strickland (D-OH) Burton (R-IN) Gutknecht (R-MN) Menendez (D-NJ) Stump (R-AZ) cosponsors Buyer (R-IN) Hall (D-OH) Mica (R-FL) Stupak (D-MI) Callahan (R-AL) Hall (D-TX) Millender-McDonald (D-CA) Sweeney (R-NY) As this issue of the Locomo- Calvert (R-CA) Hansen (R-UT) Miller, George (D-CA) Tanner (D-TN) tive Engineer Newsletter goes Camp (R-MI) Harman (D-CA) Mink (D-HI) Tauscher (D-CA) to press, there were 72 Senators Cannon (R-UT) Hart (R-PA) Mollohan (D-WV) Tauzin (R-LA) cosponsoring S. 697 and 28 who Cantor (R-VA) Hastings (R-WA) Moore (D-KS) Taylor (R-NC) were not. Capito (R-WV) Hayes (R-NC) Moran (R-KS) Terry (R-NE) BLE and GIA members are Capps (D-CA) Hayworth (R-AZ) Morella (R-MD) Thompson (D-CA) asked to contact the following Capuano (D-MA) Hill (D-IN) Murtha (D-PA) Thompson (D-MS) Senators, encouraging them to Cardin (D-MD) Hilleary (R-TN) Napolitano (D-CA) Thornberry (R-TX) support S. 697. The Capitol Carson (D-IN) Hilliard (D-AL) Neal (D-MA) Thune (R-SD) Switchboard number is: (202) Carson (D-OK) Hinchey (D-NY) Nethercutt (R-WA) Thurman (D-FL) 224-3121. Castle (R-DE) Hinojosa (D-TX) Ney (R-OH) Tiahrt ((R-KS) Chambliss (R-GA) Hobson (R-OH) Northup (R-KY) Tiberi (R-OH) U.S. Senate Clay (D-MO) Hoeffel (D-PA) Norwood (R-GA) Tierney (D-MA) Non Co-sponsors of S. 697 Clayton (D-NC) Holden (D-PA) Nussle (R-IA) Towns (D-NY) As of August 15, 2001 Clement (D-TN) Holt (D-NJ) Oberstar (D-MN) Traficant (D-OH) Clyburn (D-SC) Honda (D-CA) Obey (D-WI) Turner (D-TX) 1. Murkowski, Frank (R-AK) Coble (R-NC) Hooley (D-OR) Olver (D-MA) Udall (D-CO) 2. Stevens, Ted (R-AK) Collins (R-GA) Horn (R-CA) Ortiz (D-TX) Udall (D-NM) 3. Sessions, Jeff (R-AL) Combest (R-TX) Hostettler (R-IN) Osborne (R-NE) Upton (R-MI) 4. Kyl, Jon (R-AZ) Condit (D-CA) Houghton (R-NY) Ose (R-CA) Velazquez (D-NY) 5. McCain, John (R-AZ) Conyers (D-MI) Hoyer (D-MD) Otter (R-ID) Visclosky (D-IN) 6. Allard, Wayne (R-CO) Cooksey (R-LA) Hulshof (R-MO) Owens (D-NY) Vitter (R-LA) 7. Campbell, B.N. (R-CO) Costello (D-IL) Hunter (R-CA) Pallone (D-NJ) Walden (R-OR) 8. Grassley, Chuck (R-IA) Coyne (D-PA) Inslee (D-WA) Pascrell (D-NJ) Walsh (R-NY) 9. Fitzgerald, Peter (R-IL) Crane (R-AL) Isakson (R-GA) Pastor (D-AZ) Wamp (R-TN) 10. Lugar, Richard (R-IN) Crenshaw (R-FL) Israel (D-NY) Payne (D-NJ) Waters (D-CA) 11. Bunning, Jim (R-KY) Crowley (D-NY) Issa (R-CA) Pelosi (D-CA) Watkins (R-OK) 12. Bond, Christopher (R-MO) Cubin (R-WY) Istook (R-OK) Peterson (R-PA) Watt (D-NC) 13. Lott, Trent (R-MS) Culberson (R-TX) Jackson (D-IL) Petri (R-WI) Watts (R-OK) 14. Gregg, Judd (R-NH) Cummings (D-MD) Jackson-Lee (D-TX) Phelps (D-IL) Waxman (D-CA) 15. Domenici, Pete (R-NM) Cunningham (R-CA) Jefferson (D-LA) Pickering (R-MS) Weiner (D-NY) 16. Voinovich, George (R-OH) Davis (D-CA) Jenkins (R-TN) Platts (R-PA) Weldon (R-PA) 17. Inhofe, James (R-OK) Davis (D-FL) John (D-LA) Pombo (R-CA) Weller (R-IL) 18. Nickles, Don (R-OK) Davis (D-IL) Johnson (R-CT) Pomeroy (D-ND) Wexler (D-FL) 19. Wyden, Ron (D-OR) Davis, Jo Ann (R-VA) Johnson (R-IL) Portman (R-OH) Whitfield (R-KY) 20. Santorum, Rick (R-PA) Davis, Tom (R-VA) Johnson, E. B. (D-TX) Price (D-NC) Wicker (R-MS) 21. Thompson, Fred (R-TN) Deal (R-GA) Kanjorski (D-PA) Pryce (R-OH) Wilson (R-NM) 22. Gramm, Phil (R-TX) DeFazio (D-OR) Kaptur (D-OH) Putnam (R-FL) Wolf (R-VA) 23. Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R-TX) DeGette (D-CO) Keller (R-FL) Quinn (R-NY) Woolsey (D-CA) 24. Bennett, Robert (R-UT) Delahunt (D-MA) Kelly (R-NY) Radanovich (R-CA) Wu (D-OR) 25. Jeffords, James (I-VT) DeLauro (D-CT) Kennedy (R-MN) Rahall (D-WV) Wynn (D-MD) 26. Feingold, Russell (D-WI) Deutsch (D-FL) Kennedy (D-RI) Ramstad (R-MN) Young (R-AK) 27. Kohl, Herb (D-WI) Diaz-Balart (R-FL) Kerns (R-IN) Rangel (D-NY) Young (R-FL) • 28. Thomas, Craig (R-WY) Dicks (D-WA) Kildee (D-MI) Regula (R-OH) Page 8 Locomotive Engineer Newsletter · August 2001 BLE NEWS BLE, UTU merger vote AUGUST 2001 CALENDAR & EVENTS
goes to membership SEPTEMBER 9-14, 2001… 66th Annual BLE-GIA Southwestern Convention Meeting See page 7 of July 2001 issue for pre-registration form and other details. Randy Schneider hosts this year’s SWCM, which will be held at the Double Tree Hotel at Corporate Woods in Overland video has been provided, which sum- Park, Kan. Members can participate in the annual golf tournament and banquet, shopping at The Ballots marizes the same subjects covered by Plaza and a trip to the Argosy Casino, in addition to other activities. Members interested in Continued from Page 1 the Power Point presentation. In addi- attending can contact Brother Schneider at (913) 681-1789. Hotel room rates are $89 per day. tion, the BLE will facilitate the distri- For reservations, contact the Doubletree Hotel at: (913) 451-6100 or (800) 222-TREE. The ballot represents a major bution of partisan internal comments choice for the BLE’s Canadian mem- to the membership, at the expense of SEPTEMBER 14… Railroad Retirement Board Informational Conference in Albany, NY bers, as well as members of the affili- any member or group of members wish The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board will conduct a free informational conference in Albany, N.Y. ated American Train Dispatchers De- to distribute such comments. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. with sessions starting promptly at 8:30 a.m. All sessions end partment (ATDD) and the Rail Canada Commenting on this informational at 12:30 p.m. To be held at the Quality Inn of Albany, AV Room, 3 Watervliet Ave. Ext. For details, Traffic Controllers (RCTC). Ballots for campaign, BLE President Dubroski visit the RRB website at
General Chairmen who want to partici- THE LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER NEWSLETTER (ISSN No. 0898-8625) pate in this informational campaign. is published monthly by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, 1370 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113-1702. To further assist the membership Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH and additional mailing offices. in reviewing the proposal, a 10-minute POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS Records Department, 1370 Ontario Street, Mezzanine Cleveland, OH 44113-1702. 0801