JUNE 2017 Volume 31, Issue 6

Daily news updates ocomotive WWW.BLE-T.ORG LE n g i n ee r s & T r a i n m e n N e w s Published by the BLET, a division of the Rail Conference,• International Brotherhood of Teamsters NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE: Coordinated Bargaining Group Unions say contract negotiations take a “step backwards” s part of our that we have been working very ongoing ef- hard on your behalf and we will fort to con- continue to pursue every avail- clude nation- able avenue to achieve a fair al contract contract settlement worthy of negotiations, ers presented new, onerous bar- ing more work for less pay in tude. But we will not let this your consideration. the Coordinated Bargaining gaining positions. Their new many circumstances. stand in our way. In spite of this The Carriers’ latest offer is AGroup (CBG) met with the na- contract demands would have the It is clear from the Carriers’ latest turn of events, the CBG neither a fair settlement, nor a tion’s freight rail carriers (NCCC) employees not only paying more latest contract demands that they will not give up its efforts to settlement that we expect our for three days during the week per month towards their month- are emboldened by the potential achieve a voluntary settlement members would ratify. So that of June 26th. These efforts were ly insurance premiums, but would of management-friendly recom- that is fair and protects our you all are fully aware of what part of our ongoing mediation also make drastic changes in the mendations that could come members’ best interests. We has been proposed, and in an process, mandated by the Rail- amount the average employee from a Presidential Emergency therefore requested and have effort to bring all affected mem- way Labor Act when the parties pays when medical services are Board appointed by President been granted additional medi- bers up to speed, the Carriers’ have been unable to reach a vol- needed. Combined with the Car- Trump, and ultimately be im- ation sessions later in July. This latest proposal, with a brief syn- untary agreement, and managed riers’ outlandish demands for this posed on the employees by a is not by any means the end of opsis, can be found at: http:// by the National Mediation Board. dramatic cost-shifting, they sug- Congress that already has enact- the road. The Railway Labor bit.ly/2unCc00 Despite the CBG’s best efforts gested we agree to below-standard ed or is pushing for changes in Act makes it the duty of both More information will be to reach a fair agreement with the General Wage Increases with no longstanding labor laws that pro- labor and management “to ex- forthcoming after the media- NCCC, the mediation process retroactivity, and, for certain tect employee rights. ert every reasonable effort to tion sessions scheduled later tin took a step backwards on Thurs- crafts, harmful work rules chang- We of course are frustrated make agreements.” We take that July. We appreciate your con- day, June 29th, when the Carri- es that would have employees do- by the Carriers’ hard-line atti- obligation seriously. Be assured tinuing support. • The Coordinated Bargaining Group is comprised of six unions: the American Train Dis- and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail patchers Association; the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (a Division and Transportation Workers. of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters); the Brotherhood of Collectively, the CBG unions represent more than 85,000 railroad workers covered by the var- Railroad Signalmen; the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, ious organizations’ national agreements, and comprise over 58% of the workforce that will be Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers; the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers / SEIU; impacted by the outcome of the current bargaining round. C&O Era A CSX train en route to the coastal ports of Virginia Cantilevereases past Milepost 3.6 on CSX’s Logan Subdivision in Barboursville, W.Va., on July 4, 2016 This interlocking is one of the last remaining control points on the C&O in West Virginia still protected by a C&O-style cantilever signal. Photo: courtesy Chase Gunnoe

BLET President’s Message Contract Ratified Regional Meeting Recap A challenging round Members OK new deal News and photo highlights from of bargaining continues pg. 2 with & pg. 3 San Antonio Regional Meeting pg. 4-5 Register• for News Flash email alerts at: www.ble-t.org/newsflash Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BLETNational• 2 WWW.BLE-T.ORG

BLET PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY DENNIS R. PIERCE A challenging round of bargaining continues s noted on the front Republican controlled Congress page of this edition would be in a position to im- of the Locomotive pose those recommendations, Engineers & Train- or something worse, on our menA News, and as it goes to print, membership. the nation’s freight carriers Here are some of the ques- (NCCC) have taken new bar- tions you must ask yourself gaining positions in our long when you consider our options. running national negotiations. Will a Congress and White On June 26th, the unions mak- House that are poised to strip ing up the Coordinated Bargain- health care away from over 20 ing Group (BLET, SMART TD, million Americans care that the ATDA, BRS, NCFO, and IBB) Carriers want you to pay more were served new demands by for yours? Will a Congress that the NCCC that would take away has refused to raise the mini- the long-standing practice of mum wage for over a decade retroactive application of gen- care if the Carriers are offering eral wage increases, while dra- substandard General Wage In- matically increasing the employ- creases? The bottom line is this: ees’ monthly contribution is the current federal govern- towards their health insurance ment, who by law is authorized premium payments. In addition, to settle our dispute if we can- the Carriers have demanded not, a government that will col- drastic changes to the design of lectively side with labor or with the Health and Welfare plan that the corporations in our dispute? would shift huge additional costs President Pierce with members of the Advisory Board stand for the National Anthem during While we may not all agree opening ceremonies of the BLET regional meeting in San Antonio, Texas, on June 6, 2017. to the employees when they use on the answer to that question, the benefits. Equally concern- Unions cannot reach a volun- Emergency Board in conjunc- that is why the bargaining round the very fact that we have to ask ing are the demands for work tary settlement in contract ne- tion with the White House, has taken this recent turn. it is why our bargaining team rule changes for all operating gotiations, the terms and con- should the proffer of arbitra- Our goal and responsibility will stay at the table in an effort employees that would require ditions of the Railway Labor tion be rejected by either party as your bargaining representa- to find a voluntary contract set- you to do more work for less Act ultimately place our dis- to the negotiations. tives is to measure all of these tlement worthy of your consid- money in many cases. pute in the hands of various It is obvious from these new options carefully, and to find eration. That effort, if success- The unions making up the levels of the federal govern- demands that the Carriers have the best contract settlement ful, along with our Union’s CBG made the decision to pub- ment. Currently our bargain- every expectation they have lit- available, whether that be democratic ratification process licly share this latest set of Car- ing group is in mediation man- tle to lose by taking this dispute through a voluntary settlement would place control of the ulti- rier demands in an effort to en- aged by the National Mediation to a Presidential Emergency or by taking our dispute to a mate outcome of our contract sure that all affected members Board (NMB). If we are unable Board, appointed by President Trump PEB. As for a voluntary negotiations where it belongs: are aware of exactly why there to reach a voluntary settlement, Trump and managed by the settlement, there is no reason in your hands. Those who are has been no voluntary settle- the next step in the process will soon to be Republican controlled for the bargaining team to agree affected should have the ulti- ment of our national contract be for the NMB to proffer bind- NMB. While many of our mem- to any contract that had no mate say, and we will continue to date. It is critical that all mem- ing arbitration as a possible way bers voted for President Trump chance of ratifying. To date, the in our efforts to provide that op- bers are clear in this regard: no to settle the dispute. At this with the belief that he would Carriers have been unwilling portunity to the membership. unions belonging to the CBG writing, President Trump has help working class Americans, to agree to any terms that the As things may begin to prog- have agreed to these demands; put forward the names of two this union’s freight members members would ratify. That ress rapidly in either direction, they are the Carriers’ demands, Republican appointees to fill could soon find out whether that does not mean that we will not there may be additional devel- not ours. They are unacceptable open positions at the National is true. Some members have sent stay at the table in an effort to opments and information by the to our bargaining teams, and Mediation Board (see article on in comments predicting that we reach a voluntary settlement, time this edition of the News we are certain that they also Page 8 of this issue). Once those will get a better contract recom- but it cannot be overlooked that reaches you. Please stay involved would be unacceptable to our nominations are confirmed by mendation than this at a Trump the Carriers are arrogantly con- in your Union, and additional rank and file voting members. the U.S. Senate, the Republican PEB, while others are very con- vinced that they stand a better updates will be provided on our It also is important that all controlled NMB will be struc- cerned that those recommenda- chance than the unions before website and Facebook pages as affected members understand tured to not only put forward tions will give the Carriers ev- a Trump PEB. Should that hap- they develop. • why the Carriers are pushing the proffer of arbitration, it will erything they now demand. The pen — and we are unable to these hard line demands now. also be structured to manage Carriers are betting on the lat- turn those recommendations Dennis R. Pierce When the Carriers and the the creation of a Presidential ter of those two outcomes, and into a ratified agreement — the BLET National President Our goal and responsibility as your bargaining representatives is to measure all of these options carefully, and to find the best contract settlement available, whether that be through a voluntary settlement or by taking our dispute to a Trump PEB. As for a voluntary settlement, there is no reason for the bargaining team to agree to any contract that had no chance of ratifying. BLET NATIONAL DIVISION ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS POLICY fficial communications between BLET reference to a specific request and can be used response; however, an e-mail message is not con- President to be aware of the opinions and sug- members and the National Division in future correspondence. sidered an official communication. gestions of the membership, while at the same require a hard copy of the correspon- The volume of e-mails received makes it im- Moreover, anonymous e-mails and e-mails time providing a timely response to the mem- dence,O bearing a signature, being received by the possible for the National President to answer all that do not provide sufficient information con- ber’s unofficial communication, if a response is National President to be considered an “official unofficial communications. Therefore, it is the cerning the sender to enable National Division necessary, without needlessly expending limit- communication.” This is to provide that the ac- policy of the BLET that e-mails addressed to the staff to confirm the sender’s membership status ed BLET resources. tual question(s) are addressed, and ensures that National President will be reviewed and forward- will not receive any reply or acknowledgement. Adopted at Cleveland, Ohio on July when official interpretations are made they have ed to the appropriate officer or staff for a timely This policy is intended to allow the National 22, 2010. • JUNE 2017 3

GENERAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY JAMES P. HOFFA Crafting a Pro-Worker Path to a New NAFTA he Trump adminis- original NAFTA. That new la- procurement provisions. As it tration received tens bor chapter must have a robust stands, the trade deal undermines of thousands of com- new labor rights chapter that pro- the program by requiring the fed- ments in June on how hibits child labor and forced la- eral government to treat foreign Tto best revamp the North Amer- bor and protects the freedom of bidders as if they were U.S. bid- ican Free Trade Agreement association and the right to col- ders. Any update must eliminate (NAFTA) so it creates a pact lectively bargain through an in- language that undermines do- built for a 21st century econo- dependent union. In addition, mestic or local preferences. my. And the Teamsters want to these new labor rights must be When it comes down to a new make sure there is a pathway to enforceable by the same or bet- NAFTA, it’s really pretty sim- prosperity for millions of U.S. ter trade sanctions that protect ple. The current administration workers who were left behind commercial interests. can fix the deal by being trans- in the deal’s original version. And, there is a need to beef parent with the process and re- That doesn’t happen by open- up the existing rules of origin moving some bad provisions ing the nation’s highways to when it comes to automobiles. and inserting some good ones Mexican-domiciled trucks and Currently, North American- that benefit workers, consum- drivers who don’t meet Ameri- made vehicles only need to be ers and U.S. manufacturers. The can safety and certification stan- made with 63.5 percent of its Teamsters stand ready to help dards. Motorists and the nation’s parts from this continent, al- with the effort. health have been jeopardized lowing third-party nations to because of it. NAFTA 2.0 must The U.S. has an opportunity to To start, the administration enter the supply chain with low Fraternally, strip such language out of any lead the way in replacing this must take action to add labor costs parts that put Americans agreement going forward. flawed agreement with one that rights provisions that beef up the out of work. James P. Hoffa The renegotiation of NAF- will set new priorities that put weak and unenforceable labor Additionally, NAFTA 2.0 must Teamsters General TA is a historic opportunity. working families first. side agreement included in the protect “Buy American” federal President

The renegotiation of NAFTA is a historic opportunity. The U.S. has an opportunity to lead the way in replacing this flawed agreement with one that will set new priorities that put working families first. BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana and Ohio Railway n June 13, members of the Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargain- ing agreement with the Indiana and Ohio ORailway (I&O). The five-year agreement governs rates of pay, work rules and health and welfare benefits for approximately 50 engineers, conductors, and trainees. Members will see wage increases of 28.6 percent over the life of the agreement, which runs through December 31, 2020. It was ratified with over 80% of those casting a ballot voting in favor. The agreement provides improved va- cation leave for members, giving them an additional day of vacation when reaching five, 10 and 15 year anniversaries with the company. Members will also receive 10 to- tal paid holidays effective January 1, 2017, in addition to five Flex Days. The agree- ment also outlines provisions for holiday Indiana & Ohio Railway locomotives at Washington Court House, Ohio, on August 13, 2011. Photo: Chase Gunnoe pay, jury duty pay and bereavement leave. process. Extra boards and a seniority sys- verance throughout the negotiating and and southeast . The I&O serves Members are covered by the Genesee tem are also provided for in the contract. ratification process,” President Pierce said. the metropolitan areas of , Co- & Wyoming’s Midwest Region health and BLET National President Dennis R. The BLET first organized the I&O on lumbus, Springfield and Lima. The rail- welfare plan, effective January 1, 2017. The Pierce recognized the negotiating team of August 3, 2001, and a 78 percent majority road handles a wide range of commodi- agreement provides changes to the mem- Vice President Rick Gibbons and Gener- of members ratified their first-ever union ties, including metal products, chemicals, bership’s 401k Plan, and gives members a al Chairman Christopher Cole for their contract in 2003. I&O members belong to plastics, lumber, paper, grain and grain boot voucher good for two pairs of work dedication in securing the new contract. BLET Division 282 (Cincinnati, Ohio). products, such as ethanol and dried dis- boots per year. The contract outlines pro- “Union membership is not a spectator A subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming tillers grains. The I&O serves several barge cedures to ensure that members receive sport, and I am proud to salute those In- Inc., the I&O is a 570-mile short line rail- terminals in Cincinnati, and has custom- fair and impartial disciplinary hearings, diana and Ohio members who cast votes road operating primarily in western Ohio, ers offering transload services to handle and specifies a grievance and arbitration and wish to thank them for their perse- as well as in parts of southeastern Indiana a variety of products. • 4 WWW.BLE-T.ORG

BLET concludes San Antonio regional meeting pproximately 335 members of the Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Engineers and Trainmen and their fami- lies convened in San An- tonio the morning of June 6 for opening ceremoniesA of the BLET’s first regional meeting of 2017. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce called the meeting to order. After presentation of flags by members of the Joint Base San Antonio Civic Honor Guard, retired Brother Terry D. Briggs delivered the invocation. Brother Briggs served as Chairman of the Texas State Legislative Board from 2001-2015. President Pierce then welcomed all members, families and guests to San An- tonio. He introduced members of the BLET Advisory Board who were in attendance, and thanked National Vice President Jim Louis, Special Representative Matt Kro- nyak and Special Representative Jason Wright for their work in managing and organizing the regional meeting. President Pierce also recognized and thanked the regional meeting arrangements commit- tee members who provided local support: Warren Stevens, Local Chairman and Sec- retary-Treasurer of Division 197; Luis Es- parza, Trustee and Member of Division 197; L.W. (Wayne) Davis, Legislative Rep- resentative of Division 918; and Brother Briggs, a retired member of Division 530 and former Chairman of the Texas State Legislative Board. President Pierce delivered remarks re- garding the anti-union movement that ex- ists in America and encouraged all BLET members to become involved to reverse this trend. “There’s a huge storm brewing ... not only for BLET members and their Brothers and Sisters who work in the rail- road industry, but for all workers and for the American Middle Class,” he said. President Pierce encouraged all mem- bers to become active and involved in President Pierce then introduced Lin- maintain constant vigilance to protect it. their union and in politics in order to pro- da Chavez-Thompson, who was elected “What has protected Railroad Retire- tect what the union has earned. “We face by acclamation to serve as Executive Vice ment for the past 82 years is a strong la- a fight like none of us have ever experi- President of the AFL-CIO in 1995, a po- bor movement,” Barrows said. “Railroad enced. And it won’t happen in a single, sition she held until her retirement in Retirement is an earned benefit, not a gift. winner-take-all battle. Instead, years of 2007. She was the Democratic nominee The money that railroads pay into the attacks on labor, some hidden in seem- to run for the office of Lieutenant Gov- system is money that is earned by your ingly harmless legislation, lie ahead. That ernor of Texas in 2010. labor. It isn’t a gift.” means we need all hands on deck, and we “Your union was founded 154 years ago The opening ceremony also included need to educate our membership exactly by a group of people who said ‘enough is a memorial ceremony in which the names how stark are the risks we face if we don’t enough,’” Chavez-Thompson said. “Gen- of all BLET members killed in the line mount an historic struggle.” erations later, the union they established of duty since 1989 were shown in a sol- President Pierce then introduced guest is in your hands. What are you going to were in attendance. emn video presentation. Those in atten- speaker Julian Castro, San Antonio native do with it? You’re here today because you National Vice President Gil Gore, the dance also observed a moment of silence and Secretary of Housing and Urban De- are already union leaders. But sometimes next guest speaker, spoke about the ben- in honor of retired BLE International velopment from 2014-2017. At the age of our members forget the fight. They forget efits of belonging to a union and the BLET Vice President Ed Watson, who passed 26 he became the youngest city council- the sacrifices that have been made on their in particular, which includes: higher wag- away on May 31, and former BLE Inter- man in San Antonio history, and was elect- behalf by those who came before us. It is es, health and welfare benefits, pension, national Vice President Jim Shell, who ed Mayor of San Antonio in 2009, 2011 your job to pass on what you learn here to- seniority, due process, a voice in Wash- passed away on June 1. and 2013. day. It’s your job to pass on the baton of ington, D.C., Railroad Retirement, and The June 6 session included a closed “I have a great deal of respect for the educating and energizing others to carry the Federal Employers’ Liability Act meeting for BLET members and an open people in this room and for what you do,” on the union. Make sure they carry on the (FELA). Like Sister Chavez-Thompson, meeting hosted by the BLET Auxiliary. Castro said. “Through your skill, profes- love of the union and teach them to give Vice President Gore discussed the impor- Members took advantage of educational sionalism and commitment to safety, you and to sacrifice for the union.” tance of mentoring young members to opportunities throughout the remain- move people and goods throughout our The next guest speaker was Jodi Wal- become leaders and encouraged all BLET der of the week. Workshops featured spe- country. In other words, you move our lace, Alternate National Treasurer of the members to conduct themselves with dig- cialized training for BLET Legislative economy. BLET Auxiliary. Sister Wallace described nity and honor. He received more than Representatives, Secretary-Treasurers “We need a new vision to thrive in the the relationship between the BLET and one standing ovation for his moving and and Local Chairmen. 21st Century. It’s time for government to the BLET Auxiliary, and how they often emotional speech. The 2017 San Antonio regional meet- serve the people, not just the powerful. work hand-in-hand to fight for issues of Walt Barrows, Labor Member of the ing concluded with a banquet on the eve- That’s where you come in. You have set an importance to BLET members and their Railroad Retirement Board, discussed the ning of June 8. The BLET’s second 2017 example with over 154 years of leadership families. She also gave an update on the health of the Railroad Retirement system. regional meeting will be held August 14- and advocacy. Through your active union BLET Auxiliary Scholarship Program, He said that there are many challenges fac- 18 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. More specific membership, you are helping to protect announcing the names of recent win- ing the Railroad Retirement today, but en- information is available at: www.ble-t. the American Middle Class.” ners and recognizing the parents who couraged members and their unions to org/regional/. • JUNE 2017 5

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Jeff Thurman reelected General Chairman of BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA GCA effrey L. Thurman was reelect- ed by acclamation to his second term as General Chairman of the BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA Gen- eral Committee of Adjustment (GCA)J at the GCA’s quadrennial meet- ing in St. Louis, Mo., held from May 23- 25, 2017. A BNSF locomotive engineer and mem- ber of BLET Division 172 (Fort Worth, Texas), Brother Thurman was elected by acclamation to serve the GCA as 3rd Vice General Chairman in 2009, a position he was reelected to by acclamation for a sec- ond time in 2013. In June of 2013, he was elevated to the office of General Chair- man when R.C. (Rick) Gibbons was ele- vated to serve on the BLET Advisory Board as a National Vice President. Also elected by acclamation during the quadrennial meeting was: 1st Vice Chair- man Randy J. Dumey, Division 595 (Chaffee, Mo.); Secretary-Treasurer Wil- liam D. Honeycutt, Division 285 (Thayer, Mo.); 2nd Vice Chairman H.C. Rolen, Di- vision 285 (Thayer, Mo.); 3rd Vice Chair- man Kyle W. King, Division 578 (Tulsa, Okla.); 4th Vice Chairman Brett D. Jones, Members, officers and guests at the BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA General Committee Division 386 (Birmingham, Ala.); 1st Al- of Adjustment (GCA) quadrennial meeting in St. Louis, Mo., May 25, 2017. ternate Vice Chairman Christopher M. Philips, Division 172 (Fort Worth, Texas): Appointed to the Audit Committee vision at the meeting were: National Pres- speaker at the quadrennial meeting. and 2nd Alternate Vice Chairman Dan- were: Kyle W. King, Division 578 (Tulsa, ident Dennis R. Pierce; First Vice Presi- Additionally, all Local Chairmen in iel Holdcroft, Division 502 (Kansas City, Okla.); Bobby J. Szenasi, Division 604 dent E. Lee Pruitt; Vice President and attendance received BLET Years of Ser- Mo.). Brother William E. Brake, Division (Madill, Okla.); and Daniel Holdcroft, National Legislative Representative John vice pins, which were presented by Na- 237 (Fort Scott, Kan.), was elected Alter- Division 502 (Kansas City, Mo.). P. Tolman; National Vice President Mi- tional President Pierce. nate Secretary-Treasurer. Representing the BLET National Di- chael D. Priester; and National Vice Pres- Brother Thurman hired out with the ident R.C. (Rick) Gibbons. Burlington Northern at Enid, Okla., on “I am proud to congratulate Brother February 11, 1994. He was promoted to Thurman along with all officers of the conductor on March 25, 1994, and earned Like Us On FacebOOk BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA General Com- promotion to locomotive engineer on mittee of Adjustment,” President Pierce April 19, 1995. He transferred his senior- said. “I thank these Brothers for making ity to Fort Worth, Texas, in September the time to serve our Brotherhood, and of 2002, and he joined the Brotherhood I have every confidence they will con- on September 1, 2003. tinue doing an excellent job of protect- He has been an involved and active ing the rights of our Brothers and Sisters BLET member throughout his railroad working for the BNSF.” career. Brother Thurman has served as Special guests from throughout the Vice Local Chairman of Division 604 Brotherhood included: Brian Kelley, Mis- and as Local Chairman of Division 172. souri State Legislative Board Chairman; He represented his Division as a Dele- David Spradlin, Kansas City Southern gate to the BLET’s First National Con- General Chairman; Alan Holdcraft, vention in 2006, and has represented BNSF (ATSF) General Chairman; Rob- the BLET as a Delegate to the Teamsters by Cunningham, BNSF (ATSF) Vice Gen- International Convention. Also, Broth- LECMPA eral Chairman; Chris Mosser, BNSF er Thurman has served on the Nation- (ATSF) Secretary-Treasurer; Bobby al Division Arrangements Committee Brown, BNSF (FW&D-C&S-CRI&P) at the BLET’s Second National Conven- job insurance is your General Chairman; Joe Berlin, BNSF tion in 2010 and Third National Con- (FW&D-C&S-CRI&P) Vice General vention in 2014. Chairman; Tim Williamson, BNSF The BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA Gen- ticket to value. (FW&D-C&S-CRI&P) Secretary-Trea- eral Committee of Adjustment repre- surer; Jerry LaPrath, BNSF/MRL Gen- sents nearly 800 locomotive engineers eral Chairman; and Kent Psota, BNSF/ from 16 different divisions, including • No money down to start policy, MRL Vice General Chairman. engineers and trainmen for the BNSF Mary Shaver of the Federal Railroad Railway and the Missouri & Northern discounts for annual and semi- Administration (Region VI) was a guest Arkansas Railroad. • annual payment • Claim payments are deposited to SIGN UP FOR your account every week BLET NEWS FLASHES! • You are paid up to your policy Register at www.ble-t.org to get limit even if you sign a waiver Brotherhood news emailed to you Stay up-to-date with the latest Brotherhood news by going to the BLET web- • Receive your full daily benefit if site and signing up to receive BLET News Flash alerts via email. you are decertified and decline The News Flash alerts are news articles from the BLET National Division web- to exercise your seniority site that are automatically emailed to you. To register online, just go to www.ble-t.org/newsflash. On this page, you will find an area to enter your email address and click subcribe to be- gin receiving the most current news from the BLET National Division. (800) 514-0010 It is a great way to keep informed on the most recent issues impacting your www.lecmpa.org job, your contract and your Brotherhood.

Transportation workers protecting each other since 1910 JUNE 2017 7

RRB issuing statements of service (Form BA-6) (Source: Railroad Retirement number of any additional service months ployee over and above tier I social secu- request for one using Benefit Online Ser- Board press release, May 29, 2017) deemed by the RRB. Deemed service rity equivalent payroll taxes. While the vices. They will then receive the PRC by months may be credited under certain RRB does not collect or maintain pay- mail at their home address in about 10 ach year, the U.S. Railroad conditions for an employee who did not roll tax information, the agency com- days. Additional information about PRC Retirement Board (RRB) pre- work in all 12 months of the year, but putes this amount from its compensa- and PIN/Password is available under PIN pares a Certificate of Ser- had creditable tier II earnings exceeding tion records in order to advise retired Password (PPW) FAQ. vice Months and Compen- monthly prorations of the creditable tier employees of their payroll tax contribu- Employees can also request that print- sation (Form BA-6) for every II earnings maximum for the year. How- tions for Federal income tax purposes. outs of their individual railroad retirement railroad employee who had creditable ever, the total of reported and deemed Employees should check their name, records of service months and compensa- Erailroad compensation in the previous service months may never exceed 12 in address, birth date, and sex shown at tion be mailed to them. A PIN/Password calendar year. The RRB will mail the a calendar year, and no service months, the top of the form. If the form shows is not required to use this service, which forms to employees during the first half of reported or deemed, can be credited af- the birth date as 99-9999 and the gen- can accessed through the no login required June. While every effort has been made to ter retirement, severance, resignation, der code is U (for unknown), it means service menu of Benefit Online Services. maintain current addresses for all active discharge, or death. the RRB is verifying his or her social If the employee’s name was incomplete railroad employees, anyone with com- The form also indicates the number security number with the Social Secu- on Form BA-6, and he or she has not yet pensation reported in 2015 who has not of months of verified military service rity Administration. Otherwise, if the contacted an RRB field office to correct received Form BA-6 by July 1, or needs a creditable as service under the Railroad personal identifying information is in- it, the employee should enter his or her replacement, should contact the nearest Retirement Act, if the service was pre- correct or incomplete (generally a case first and middle initials and his or her RRB field office by calling the agency›s viously reported to the RRB. Employees where the employee›s surname has more surname just as it appears on the Form toll-free number, 1-877-772-5772. are encouraged to submit proofs of age than 10 letters and the form shows only BA-6 or a previously furnished print- Form BA-6 provides employees with and/or military service in advance of the first 10 letters) or the address is not out of service and compensation, along a record of their railroad retirement ser- their actual retirement. Filing these correct, the employee should contact with the other requested information, in vice and compensation, and the informa- proofs with the RRB in advance will an RRB field office. The field office can order to submit an online request. tion shown is used to determine whether streamline the benefit application pro- then correct the RRB›s records. This is Any other discrepancies in Form BA-6 an employee qualifies for benefits and the cess and prevent payment delays. important in order to prevent identity should be reported promptly in writing to: amount of those benefits. It is important For employees who received separa- or security-related problems that could that employees review their Form BA-6 tion or severance payments, the section arise if the employee wants to use cer- Protest Unit - CESC to see whether their own records of ser- of the form designated Taxable tain Internet services available on Railroad Retirement Board vice months and creditable compensation Amount shows the amounts reported by the RRB›s website. 844 North Rush Street agree with the figures shown on the form. employers of any separation allowance or Employees may view their railroad Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275 In checking the 2016 compensation severance payments that were subject to retirement service and compensation re- total, employees should be aware that railroad retirement tier II taxes. This in- cords; get annuity estimates; apply for The employee must include his or her only annual earnings up to $118,500 were formation is shown on the form because or claim railroad unemployment bene- social security number in the letter. Form creditable for railroad retirement pur- a lump sum, approximating part or all of fits; claim sickness benefits; and access BA-6 also explains what other documen- poses in that year, and that $118,500 is the tier II taxes deducted from such pay- their railroad unemployment insurance tation and information should be provid- the maximum amount shown on the ments made after 1984 which did not pro- account statements through the Benefit ed. The law limits to four years the peri- form. To assist employees in reviewing vide additional tier II credits, may be pay- Online Services section of the web- od during which corrections to service their service credits, the form also shows able by the RRB upon retirement to site. An employee must set up an account and compensation amounts can be made. service credited on a month-by-month qualified employees or to survivors if the to use these services and can find in- For most employees, the address of basis for 2015, 2014, and 2013, when the employee dies before retirement. The structions for establishing an online ac- the RRB office serving their area is pro- creditable compensation maximum was amount of an allowance included in an count in that same section. For security vided on the form along with the RRB’s $118,000 for 2015, $117,000 for 2014, and employee’s regular compensation is shown purposes, first-time users must enter a nationwide toll-free number (1-877-772- $113,700 for 2013. The form also identi- under Compensation Amount. Password Request Code (PRC). The agen- 5772). RRB field offices are open to the fies the employer(s) reporting the em- Form BA-6 also shows, in the section cy mails a PRC to any employee who files public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on ployee’s 2016 service and compensation. designated Employee Contributions, the a paper application for unemployment Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, Besides the months of service report- cumulative amount of tier II railroad re- or sickness benefits. If an individual has and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Wednes- ed by employers, Form BA-6 shows the tirement payroll taxes paid by the em- not received a PRC, they can submit a day, except on Federal holidays. • Arkansas governor signs BLET-backed bill to protect train crews rkansas Governor Asa Hutchin- demeanor with a possible sentence greater than son recently signed into law a BLET- 90 days imprisonment, an additional period of im- backed bill that imposes harsher prisonment of not more than one year; penalties on criminals who target • Class C felony, Class D felony, or an unclas- railroad workers. sified felony, an additional period of imprison- Act 955 is designed “to protect freight rail em- ment of at least six months but no more than two Aployees and public transit employees by enhanc- years; and ing the penalties of certain criminal offenses.” In- • Class Y felony, Class A felony, or Class B felo- troduced as Arkansas House Bill 2116 on March ny, an additional period of imprisonment of at least 6, 2017, the measure passed the state House on two years but no more than 10 years. March 27 by a 76-6 majority and passed the state Brother Todd said Arkansas State Senator Ed- Senate on March 29 by a 34-0 majority. Governor die Joe Williams, a retired member of BLET Divi- Hutchinson, a Republican, signed the bill on April sion 585, helped guide the bill through the Senate. 6, 2017. He also worked with his counterparts in the SMART Brother Terry L. Todd, Chairman of the BLET Transportation Division to lobby for the bill — Arkansas State Legislative Board, said the legisla- Gerald Sale, SMART-TD Arkansas State Legisla- tion is designed to discourage terrorist acts against tive Director and Wayne Denson, SMART-TD Ar- freight railroads and public transportation. It pro- kansas State Legislative 1st Vice Chairman — and tects locomotive engineers, conductors, switch- received support from the Arkansas State AFL- men, brakemen, trainmen, and firemen, and also CIO. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (seated) signs Act 955 into law on railroad managers. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce April 6, 2017. The bill seeks to discourage terrorist acts by imposing Criminals are subject to enhanced sentences thanked Brother Todd and all BLET members in harsher penalties on criminals who target railroad and public transpor- under this law if the victim of an offense is a rail- the state of Arkansas who worked for passage of the tation workers. Standing, from left: Arkansas State Senator Eddie Joe road or public transit employee. Harsher penalties bill. “I thank Brother Terry Todd for his diligence Williams (a retired member of BLET Division 585); Terry Todd, BLET Ar- would be enforced for the following misdemean- in lobbying to secure passage of this bill,” President kansas State Legislative Chairman; Wayne Denson, SMART-TD Arkan- ors and felonies: Pierce said. “All rail workers and the traveling pub- sas State Legislative 1st Vice Chairman; and Gerald Sale, SMART-TD • Class A Misdemeanor or an unclassified Mis- lic will benefit from the passage of Act 955.” • Arkansas State Legislative Director. J U N E 2 017 8

Advisory Board May 2017 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, Independence, Ohio; duties, telephone, email, correspondence communications, etc.; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; Advisory 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road at Cleveland, OH. General supervision of BLET activities; General office duties; Correspondence and telephone Board mtg., Las Vegas; UP-WR Article IX, IDR mtg., Omaha, Neb.; UP-WR 2nd Quarter UPRR/ communications; Supervision of Office Administration; General Supervision of Special Repre- LC update, Portland, Ore.; UP-SR GCA conference at Fort Worth, Texas; UP-SR GCA retirement Independence, Ohio 44131 sentatives; President, Teamsters Rail Conference; Policy Committee, Teamsters Rail Conference; dinner for GC Warren Dent; UP-SR Conference; UP-WR/PW Section 6 negotiations, Salem, Ore. BLET Western General Chairmen Association (WGCA) mtg., Las Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., VICE PRESIDENT GIL GORE: Assigned to all CSX; Grand Trunk Western; Union Pacific-South- BLET Publications Committee: Las Vegas; IBT GEB mtg., Las Vegas; IBT Unity Conference, Las Vegas; GCA mtg., San ern Region GCA special assignment; Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) issues, CSXT; General Dennis R. Pierce, National President Diego, Calif.; Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) national negotiations/mediation, Washing- office duties, paperwork, correspondence, emails, telephone calls, etc.; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; E. “Lee” Pruitt, First Vice President & Alternate President ton, D.C., and St. Louis, Mo.; BNSF-SLSF GCA mtg., Kansas City, Mo.. Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; Harrison letter w/ CSX GCs; CSX-NL GCA mtg., Pittsburgh, Pa.; Stephen J. Bruno, National Secretary-Treasurer FIRST VICE PRESIDENT E.L. (LEE) PRUITT: National Duties include but not limited to: Short- Trip rate dispute conference call; UP-SR GCA retirement dinner for GC Warren Dent; CSX medi- John P. Tolman, Vice President & National Legislative Rep. line Organizing Dept.; Trainmen’s Dept.; National Publications Committee; National Legislative cal quarterly update, New Orleans; GTW negotiations, Atlanta. John V. Bentley Jr., Director of Public Relations & Editor Board; Teamsters Rail Conference Policy Committee; PRAC; and National Negotiations; National VICE PRESIDENT MICHAEL D. PRIESTER: Assigned to all BNSF (former ATSF, former C&S, Bill Joyce, Art Director & Associate Editor duties, Independence, Ohio; General office duties, telephone, email, correspondence communica- CRI&P, FWD, former STL-SF, BNSF/MRL), Panhandle Northern, Missouri & North Arkansas, www.ble-t.org (216) 241-2630 tions, etc.; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; CSX-NL GCA mtg., Pitts- , Great Western; General office duties, telephone, email, correspondence com- burgh, Pa.; CBG mtgs., Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, Mo.; Holiday; BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA munications, etc.; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; Panhandle Northern COPYRIGHT 2017, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED GCA mtg., Kansas City, Mo.​ contract proposal, assist GC Holdcraft, Borger, Texas; Arbitration prep. w/ GC Brown, Amarillo, VOLUME 31 NUMBER 6 June 2017 NATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER STEPHEN J. BRUNO: General supervision of Account- Texas; GCA prep. w/ GC Thurman, Fort Worth, Texas; Vacation; BNSF-SLSF/MNA GCA mtg., ing Dept., Record Dept., Online Services Dept., Tax Compliance Dept.; Safety Task Force; PAC Kansas City, Mo. LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & TRAINMEN NEWS (ISSN 0898-8625) and FEC reports and filings; Implementation and training for BLET membership database/Union is published monthly by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, VICE PRESIDENT COLE W. DAVIS: Assigned to: Kansas City Southern (MidSouth Rail, South- Track; Pension, STD, 457 plan Trustee; Division, General Committee and SLB monthly Trustee Rail, Gateway Western, Illinois & Midland), Texas Mexican Rwy.; CP Rail System/US (Indiana 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, Ohio 44131 reports; Mtgs. with vendors and financial institutions; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; LR Class, Wash- Southern, Iowa, Chicago & Eastern, Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern); Springfield Terminal (St. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. ington, D.C.; Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; CSX-NL GCA mtg., Pittsburgh, Pa.; CBG national Lawrence & Atlantic, Delaware & Hudson), Cedar River, Louisville & Indiana, Huron & Eastern; negotiations, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, Mo.; ST Class, Independence, Ohio. General office duties, telephone, email, correspondence communications, etc.; WGCA mtg., Las USPS: 0002-244 ISSN: 0898-8625 VICE PRESIDENT & NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN P. TOLMAN: Assigned Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; KCS issues, assist GC Spradlin; Tex/Mex issues and mtgs., POSTMASTER: Send address changes to to BLET Washington, DC office; General office duties, telephone and correspondence communi- assist GC Hiese, Houston, Texas; D&H and Springfield Terminal issues, assist GC Moore; CP, Soo Line, DM&E issues, assist GC Semenek; Mid South issues, assist GC Craddock; KCS issues, mtg. Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen News — BLET Record Department, cations; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; Teamsters Unity Conference, Las Vegas; Amtrak GCA quadrennial mtg., San Diego; Presentation to BMWED, Washington, and PLB, assist GC Spradlin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; UP-SR retirement dinner for GC War- 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, Ohio 44131. 6/17 D.C.; Oklahoma State Legislative Board mtg., Tulsa, Okla.; BNSF-SLSF GCA quadrennial mtg., ren Dent, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Illinois Midland contract negotiations, assist GC Craddock; Kansas City, Mo.; RSAC mtg., Washington, D.C.; Several receptions and office visits with mem- Consult on CSXT proposed agreement, assist CSXT general chairmen, Atlanta, Ga. bers of Congress and the leadership of both the GOP and Democratic parties, Washington, D.C. VICE PRESIDENT R.C. (RICK) GIBBONS: Assigned to: All Norfolk Southern General Commit- Photo of the Month: June 2017 VICE PRESIDENT MARCUS J. RUEF: Vice Chairman, National Railroad Adjustment Board tees; Wheeling & Lake Erie; Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern; New York, Susquehanna & West- (NRAB); National Mediation Board (NMB) Arb. Adv. Forum; Department Head, BLET Arbitration ern; New England Central; Connecticut Southern; Western New York & Pennsylvania; Indiana NORFOLK & WESTERN STEAM: On May 6-7, 2017, the Virginia Museum of Transportation ran its annual steam excursion Department; Assigned to Illinois Central, Wisconsin Central, Indiana Harbor Belt, Belt Railway of & Ohio; RSAC/RSIA Fatigue Management Group; General office duties, telephone, email, cor- Chicago, Metra, GRR and Illinois RR; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; As- respondence communications; Vice President duties; On duty at home office; WGCA mtg., Las from Lynchburg to Petersburg, Va., over the Norfolk Southern. Photographed on May 7th, The Cavalier, led by restored Norfolk and sist UP-WR w/ pilot claim MOU language, Chicago Arb. Prep., PLB 7154, CNIC, Chicago; PLB 7154, Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., Las Vegas; PLB 7574, assist GC Wallace, Norfolk, Va.; BNSF-SLSF/ Western J Class Steam Locomotive No. 611, is seen rounding the west leg of the wye at Brenco (Milepost P0.4) in Petersburg, Va. CN/IC, Chicago; CN/IC claims conference, Chicago; Assist GC Craddock w/ delayed return to work MNA GCA mtg., GC Thurman, Kansas City, Mo.; Memorial Day holiday. Photo: by Locomotive Engineer Mike Marra, a member of BLET Division 14 (Washington, D.C.). issues, CN/IC, Chicago; Assist GC Reynolds w/ discipline appeals, CN/WC, Chicago; Vacation; As- VICE PRESIDENT JAMES P. LOUIS: Assigned Amtrak; Long Island Rail Road; New York & Atlan- sist GC Short w/ claims matters, IHB, Chicago; Assist GC Semenek w/ Article 6 dispute position tic; Metro North; New Jersey Transit; PATH; SEPTA; Metra; Union Railroad; National Division letter, CP/Soo, Chicago; Electronic filing committee issues, NRAB, Chicago; National Academy of Department Head, Education & Training Dept.; National Division Department Head, Internal Arbitrators, NRAB, Chicago; Holiday; Assist GC Reynolds w/ discipline appeals. Organizing, Mobilizing & Strategic Planning Dept.; Union Track mtgs. and training; Education & VICE PRESIDENT MIKE TWOMBLY: Assigned to all Union Pacific GCAs (Eastern District, Training issues; BLET Regional Meeting planning; WGCA mtg., Las Vegas; Advisory Board mtg., Northern Region (former C&NW), Western Lines (Pacific Harbor Lines), Western Region (Port- Las Vegas; SEPTA issues, assist GC Dixon; Amtrak GCA mtg., GC Mark Kenny, San Diego; Div. land & Western), Central Region, Southern Region; Tacoma Belt RR, Utah RR, Longview Portland 382 and 421 union mtg., Tonawanda, N.Y.; ST class, Independence, Ohio; Assist GC Sexton w/ & Northern NO & Longview Switch, Portland Terminal; On duty at home office; General office contract issues; Assist GC Kenny w/ contract issues. Trump nominates two Republicans to NMB n June, President Don- issues related to transporta- tee, having served in that po- railroad and airline indus- ald Trump nominated tion. He has been involved in sition since 2010. Ms. Fortson tries. Pursuant to the RLA, Republicans Gerald W. negotiating, mediating, arbi- previously served as labor NMB programs provide dis- (Trey) Fauth III and Kyle trating, facilitating, support- counsel at the same commit- pute-resolution processes to IForston to positions on the ing via expert testimony, or tee from 2004 to 2010. Before meet its statutory objectives: three-member National Me- deciding the resolution of hun- that, she was a policy analyst avoiding interruption to com- diation Board (NMB). Dem- dreds of transportation prob- and counsel at the Senate Re- merce or to the operation of ocrat Linda Puchala, a NMB lems and disputes during his publican Committee from any carrier; forbidding any member since mid-2009, is ex- career. Mr. Fauth has worked 2003 to 2004. She graduated limitation upon freedom of pected to be renominated to a at the U.S. Surface Transpor- with a B.A in History from association among employ- third term, but there has been tation Board, where he served the University of Colorado in ees; providing for the prompt no formal announcement. for more than three years as 1996, and with a J.D. from and orderly settlement of all If confirmed by the Senate, Chief of Staff and Senior Ad- George Washington Univer- disputes concerning rates of Mr. Fauth would serve a three- visor to a Board Member. sity in 1999. pay, rules, or working condi- year term expiring July 1, Fortson would serve the Established by the 1934 tions; and providing for the 2020. Mr. Fauth has more than remainder of a three-year amendments to the Railway prompt and orderly settle- 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 39 years of professional expe- term expiring July 1, 2019. Ms. Labor Act of 1926, the NMB ment of all disputes growing 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 rience in the private sector and Fortson is currently the labor is an independent U.S. gov- out of grievances related to 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 Federal Government, work- policy director at the U.S. ernment agency that facili- the implementation and man- from BLET members volunteering to contribute their 248, or you can email: [email protected]. other electronic devices while on duty. ing on economic, regulatory, Senate Health Education La- tates labor-management re- agement of collective bargain- • public policy, and legislative bor and Pensions Commit- lations within the nation’s ing agreements. • •