Article IX Notices

Last week the General Committee reported on some recent Article IX notices they had received from BNSF Labor Relations in the month of April.  In the story titled “What We Are Working on @ GO-001” the Article IX notices were called “Title IX Notices” by mistake.  The General Committee apologizes for this typographical error and any confusion that may have occurred.

After the story was published, the General Committee received a number of inquiries on the status of any other Article IX notices that are currently active.  At this time there are over a dozen Article IX notices currently in active negotiations.

ICYMI: This Week's News Headlines

U.S. rail traffic down 11.8 percent in April
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-down-118-percent-in-April--48158?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The Labor Movement’s May Day Promise
http://billmoyers.com/story/the-labor-movements-may-day-promise/#.VyikqyclQzc.twitter

BLET, SMART-UTU reject NJT contract
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/blet-smart-utu-reject-njt-contract.html?channel=55

CSX freight train derails in Northeast DC
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/278317-csx-freight-train-derails-in-northeast-dc

SMART TD AT ROUND TABLE WITH HILLARY CLINTON IN KENTUCKY
https://smart-union.org/news/smart-td-round-table-hillary-clinton-kentucky/

What We Are Working on @ GO-001

May is here and spring is in the air.  With the change in the season came notices from BNSF Labor Relations and General Chairman Mike LaPresta and the General Committee will be working on a number of important issues this month.

BNSF has presented the General Committee with a pair of Article IX Notices.  The runs that are potentially impacted are Kansas City to Tulsa bypassing Ft Scott and Alliance to Amarillo bypassing Childress.  The General Committee is in ongoing discussions with Labor Relations and the members will be updated when there is news to report.

BNSF has also informed the General Committee that they would like to make changes to the Safety Summit Agreement.  Labor Relations was short on specifics in its initial notice but there is supposed to be details in the very near future.  Safety is a top priority for the General Committee so General Chairman Mike LaPresta is curious to see what BNSF plans to bring to this agreement.

2 Person Crews Up, Safety Up and Rail Traffic Down in This Week's News Headlines

Rail members – your comments on 2-person crews are needed!
http://utu.org/2016/04/19/rail-members-your-comments-on-2-person-crews-are-needed/

ILL. COUNTY PASSES RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PROPOSED TWO-PERSON CREW RULE
https://smart-union.org/news/ill-county-passes-resolution-supporting-proposed-two-person-crew-rule/

Rail traffic in U.S., Canada, Mexico drops in week 16
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/Rail-traffic-in-US-Canada-Mexico-drops-in-week-16--48086?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

FRA announces $25 million available for rail safety upgrades
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/FRA-announces-25-million-available-for-rail-safety-upgrades--48088

Iowa unveils study aimed at preventing rail-related crude oil, biofuel spills
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/safety/article/Iowa-unveils-study-aimed-at-preventing-railrelated-crude-oil-biofuel-spills--48079?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

2 Person Crews and Safety in This Week's News Headlines

Rail members – your comments on 2-person crews are needed!
http://utu.org/2016/04/19/rail-members-your-comments-on-2-person-crews-are-needed/

Montana panel to review state's rail safety program
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/safety/article/Montana-panel-to-review-states-rail-safety-program--47998?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

FRA posts list of high-incident grade crossings
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/FRA-posts-list-of-highincident-grade-crossings--48007?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

FRA to states: funds available for safety upgrades
http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L17401

NTSB issues early report on Amtrak accident that killed two track workers
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/article/NTSB-issues-early-report-on-Amtrak-accident-that-killed-two-track-workers--47977?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Decreased Demand for Fossil Fuels Leads to Lower Rail Traffic in This Week's News Headlines

AAR: U.S. weekly rail traffic falls in carload and intermodal activity
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/AAR-US-weekly-rail-traffic-falls-in-carload-and-intermodal-activity--47881?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

U.S. rail traffic falls 6.5 percent in Q1, AAR says
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-falls-65-percent-in-Q1-AAR-says--47858?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

AAR: Railroads still looking for light at the end of the tunnel
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/aar-railroads-still-looking-for-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.html?channel=50

Is a recession on the horizon? Furloughs, freight shipments at U.P., BNSF give snapshot of economy
http://www.omaha.com/money/is-a-recession-on-the-horizon-furloughs-freight-shipments-at/article_b2c09c40-f251-5e71-991c-cd4e0d6cda55.html

SMART, others fight proposal that eliminates Seattle rail yards, manufacturing
http://utu.org/2016/04/05/smart-others-fight-proposal-that-eliminates-seattle-rail-yards-manufacturing/

Brother Mike LaPresta Elected as General Chairman

On March 9th, 2016, SMART General Committee 001 Local Chairpersons were informed of the pending election to fill the position of General Chairman being left vacant by Randall Knutson.  Randy announced his retirement in February after accepting a "buyout" offer from the company and served his last day or March 11.  Following the announcement the General Committee accepted nominations for the vacant position through April 1.  In total, nine nominations were received and all were for First Associate General Chairman Mike LaPresta.  On April 4, 2016 Mike LaPresta officially assumed the duties as General Chairman.

Safer Grade Crossings, Low Rail traffic and Jeffrey A Harsh in This Week's News Headlines

Google Maps Is Making Railroad Crossing Safer
http://www.govtech.com/applications/Google-Maps-Is-Making-Railroad-Crossing-Safer.html

Google will map railroad crossings in partnership with rail agency
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/dr-traffic-blog/article68538867.html

BNSF furloughs have hit 4,600 employees nationwide
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article69326397.html

Low Rail Traffic Leads to Furloughs at BNSF
http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=41368

Engineer killed on the job during shift change
http://utu.org/2016/03/30/engineer-killed-on-the-job-during-shift-change/

Wisconsin man identified as rail worker killed in St. Paul Saturday
http://www.startribune.com/wisconsin-man-identified-as-rail-worker-killed-in-st-paul-saturday/373761901/