Q- Discuss GN # 471 Layoff
Restrictions- We need to fully understand.
A- There is a layoff
blanket placed on the Texas Div. on all major holidays. People who abuse
layoffs are being watched, especially LOF.
Originally Mr. Mullens said that if it was late and you
couldn’t or didn’t get a hold of someone to layoff that you could use FEM to
layoff then call Mullen or Sergas the next morning and have it changed to VAC,
PLD or LOS etc. Well this is not the case anymore. Mr. Mullen has changed his
answer on this matter and you ARE NOT suppose to layoff FEM unless it is
actually an emergency.
Q- Discuss GN # 561- Pertaining to eating while on duty. Also limo drivers are writing down that when we stop to go to the restroom or smoke and then come out with food that we actually went to eat. Also when limo drivers are tired and they stop for coffee or to smoke they are actually showing the crew as wanting to stop and eat.
A- No going into the
restaurant and sitting down to order and then eat. Stopping and getting
something to go is not a problem. Limo company will be addressed on writing the
wrong thing down on their sheets.
Q- Can the carrier appoint someone to take the minutes at theses meetings so that we can have a record of it?
A- Mr. Mullen thinks that
is a good idea and will see about getting someone to do
it.
Q- The MCO’s and Crew callers are not communicating when it comes to calling the DH’s behind the trains. Also DH crews are running around crews that are in bed in OKC with time to work back. And why are we still DH to OKC for rest?
A- The short pool is
being watched by Brad Henry and Tom Martin, they are trying to do better. Mr.
Mullen will talk to Brad Henry and Tom Martin to see what they can do to keep
improving the short pool.
Q- We are still having problems
with a 2nd trick crew caller. He is being argumentive with crews. He
has already been written up before for this
reason.
A- Mr. Mullen will get
with Andrew Strong and get this problem corrected.
Q- We need to have limo drivers just drive and not try to talk and drive at the same time, also need to leave railroad radio on at all times.
A- Mr. Mullen will
discuss with RailCrew Express.
Q- Need understanding on Engineer trainees being on jobs with conductor trainees, who has preference. Also on Red Rock Coal Trains since we only have 1 unit on head end. The jump seats on our coal trains are not considered a locomotive seat for a place to sit either. Maybe let the brakeman ride in a van to coal plant since the engineer trainee has a van waiting on him out there already.
A- J.J. Coykendal will
have a meeting with RFE in OKC on 3-28-07 to discuss these
matters.
Q- What are they going to do with the trains that ran on the Sooner Sub now that the FRA shut it down? If those trains are moved to the Red Rock Sub how many do you see over here?
A- Until they fixed the
track no trains on the Sooner Sub. One or two trains each way everyday and maybe
a extra every three or four days on the Red Rock Sub.
Q- Need understanding on GN # 481 on where to swap crews at OKC. DS 21 says one thing then the ATM says another, sometimes after the crew has already secured their train?
A- Trains with no work in
either direction will swap at Nowers. Trains with work with swap at
Flynn.
Q- Dispatchers and MCO’s and Chiefs are sending pool crews off of their assigned territory to relieve DOL trains. There is no excuse for this the DS should have planned ahead.
A- Mr. Mullen needs
specific details and he will handle personally. He agrees that this needs to be
stopped.
Q- What is the projected traffic volume over the next 60 days? And where did the DP coal trains go that were in the short pool?
A- Traffic volume should
increase over the next 60-90 days. Coal trains are here because of track windows
up North.
Q- We take exception to a company officer calling our Engineers at home while off on LOF (trying to get their rest). We consider this tacky and unprofessional and would like it to cease. Also what is the definition of LOF?
A- LOF is really being
watched, especially if you are abusing it. If you have been off for some reason
and mark up and work one trip then LOF you will get a phone call wanting to no
why you laid off that way. No one could give me the definition of
LOF.
Q- Also Engineers are saying that its hard to get a hold of RFE Tracy Robertson, sometimes his phone works sometimes it doesn’t.
A- Mr. Mullen will check
into this matter.
Q- Has anything been done to Mark Carney for finding that pin lifter dragging over a month ago?
A- Thought it was taken
care of. Mr. Sergas will get on it ASAP.
Q- Larry Marlar keeps declining Initial Terminal Delay account normal train operations.
A- Mr. Mullen will have a
long talk with him.
We had a Safety issue on the L-TEX local at GM. Lack of
communication on the yard jobs part with the local. If the local had not been
paying attention we could have had a bad accident.
If you LOC or EMC there will be no more caution letters
sent out, straight investigations. If you have a good faith explanation call a
company officer after the fact.
Let Mr. Mullen know when people are retiring account he
wants to credit the employee.
They are supposed to be splitting up the Red Rock Sub
sometime this year.
The Red Rock Sub will be North Switch Ark City to South
Switch Flynn.
The new sub will be South Switch Flynn to the South
Switch Lambert, TX.
Alternative Handling with mock up investigations will be
held for training purposes in the future as long as all parties involved
agree.
Oct 1st 2007 new Texas Div.
Timetable