Progress Through Unity

Archives for June 2016

Benefits Department Schedule

The NJT benefits department along with representatives from Horizon (on 7/6, 7/7, 7/12-7/14) will be out visiting locations to speak to members about our Healthcare options.

Download (PDF, 188KB)

New ” Tentative Agreement” has been signed!

Members, I have signed a new ” Tentative Agreement” with the Carrier. I will be discussing the scope of this agreement at Sunday’s union  meeting. Due to the short time frame I will not have copies available for you at the meeting. I will be starting the required voting process as soon as possible. All eligible members will be receiving a ballot in the mail to cast their vote.

Thank you all for your professionalism during this very stressful time.

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

Update on Contract

Members, we DO NOT have a Temporary Agreement as of today.  I, HAVE NOT AGREED, at this point to extending the cooling off period as has been mentioned in the news media. I am ready to sit and negotiate a new temporary agreement whenever the Carrier is ready to talk.  The cooling off period ends on June 30th, 2016, next Thursday.  I will update you on the current situation as it arises, I urge all members to please attend our Local meeting this Sunday. There will be special announcements/ plans coming soon based upon how the talks are progressing or not progressing. I can assure all of the members, we have the full support of SMART -TD INTERNATIONAL.

 

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

Contract Update

Members,

I have had numerous meetings with the Carrier, proposals and counter proposals, in the last couple of weeks. I have been assisted by all of your Vice Chairmen and the Secretary of the General Committee. The International vice president has been present at these meetings, plus our legal department has reviewed our progress.  We took to heart the areas of concern from the members, about the failed temporary agreement. We have tried  in every aspect to make adjustments where we could, while still maintaining what the members approved of the core value.

I, DO NOT, at this time have a new temporary agreement. I have been plagued with questions about officers / members speaking, calling, or emailing members in objection to an agreement. The act of purposely distorting the facts or trying to convince members to “vote NO” on a non existent contract is counter productive. The actions of these officers / members is detrimental to the future of our local. We should be united and instead these officers / members are only trying to divide us. Their actions are not for the greater good of our local.

I ask that at this time you please be patient. This task is of the utmost importance, and it is being handled that way. The talks are 7 days a week either in person, email or on the phone. I have always tried to keep you informed of the facts, not the rumors by the people with bad intent. Please allow your officers who are involved in these talks, the chance to close the deal. We will then be on the property to explain the truth, about the real agreement.

Thank You,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

Contract Negotiation Update

We are still meeting with New Jersey Transit Rail to try and settle the contract issue. I will let all members know as soon as there are new developments. The only official news to report at this time is that we are still at the table talking.

Thank you and be safe.

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

FRA clarifies “Smartwatch” Rule – Fitbits restricted

The question?
May an employee wear a device like a “Garmin Vivofit” or “Fitbit” wristband that acts like a watch, and counts the steps that an individual takes each day?  The devices are not searching for the internet, or Wifi, to do this and must be synchronized with Bluetooth on a separate device. The devices are essentially digital watches and track the number of steps an individual takes each day in the background. Does the FRA consider these devices “smart watches”? 

FRA considers Fitbits and similar devices to be “personal  electronic devices” that are subject to the restrictions in part 220. Per the definition of an “electronic device” at 49 CFR 220.5, they are an electronic device that performs functions not necessary for the health or safety of that person and entail the risk of distracting employees from safety-related tasks.

FRA understands some Fitbit devices are rather limited in their functionality. However, a number of different fitness tracking devices are available. The Fitbit Blaze, for example, has functions that include mobile playlists, call alerts, text alerts and fitness tracking. These functions are the same type of distracting functions that have caused railroad accidents and were the impetus for the restrictions contained in part 220.

The regulation text of part 220 does not distinguish between Fitbits that have limited functionality, and those that are more akin to smartphones or smartwatches. Unless a waiver granting an exemption for certain fitness tracking devices with limited functionality were issued by FRA in the future, the agency considers all such devices to be “personal electronic devices” that are subject to the restrictions in part 220.  However, railroad operating employees are allowed the use of digital clocks or wristwatches whose primary function is to tell time.

Timepieces are commonly used in the railroad industry to verify the accuracy of a locomotive’s speed indicator. This function is safety-related in that it accurately allows a train crew to comply with relevant track speed limits during the course of a train’s movement. This exception is limited to those wristwatches that do not have functions which violate the requirements set forth under 220 subpart C. The Primary function of fitness tracking devices is not to tell time.

As stated in Title 49 CFR 220.303, a railroad operating employee shall not use an electronic device if that use would interfere with the employee’s or another railroad operating employee’s performance of safety-related duties. No individual in the cab of a controlling locomotive shall use an electronic device if that use would interfere with a railroad operating employee’s performance of safety-related duties.

The exceptions within 220 subpart C account for varying operating situations, with particular flexibility for railroad supplied devices. 

The only exceptions within 220 subpart C are specially stated in § 220.309:

§ 220.309 Permitted uses; exceptions to other restrictions.

Notwithstanding any other limitations in this subpart, a railroad operating employee may use the following, if that use does not interfere with any employee’s performance of safety-related duties—

(a) The digital storage and display function of an electronic device to refer to a railroad rule, special instruction, timetable, or other directive, if such use is authorized under a railroad operating rule or instruction.

(b) An electronic device as necessary to respond to an emergency situation involving the operation of the railroad or encountered while performing a duty for the railroad.

(c) An electronic device to take a photograph of a safety hazard or a violation of a rail safety law, regulation, order, or standard, provided that—

  1. A camera that is part of a cell phone or other similar multi-functional electronic device is not included in this exception unless it is a railroad supplied device and is used for an authorized business purpose;
  2. The camera, unless otherwise permitted, is turned off immediately after the documentation has been made; and
  3. If the camera is used in the cab of a moving train, the use is only by a crewmember other than the locomotive engineer.

(d) A stand-alone calculator if used for an authorized business purpose.

(e) A medical device that is consistent with the railroad’s standards for medical fitness for duty.

(f) A wireless communication device to conduct train or switching operations if the railroad operating employee is part of a crew assigned to a train that is exempt under § 220.9(b) from the requirement of a working radio when the employing railroad has fewer than 400,000 annual employee work hours.

Additionally, railroads may impose more stringent requirements that are subject to change at the railroad’s discretion, without notice to FRA, and can vary from railroad to railroad.

http://utu.org/2016/06/08/fra-clarifies-smartwatch-rule-fitbits-restricted/

 

Hoboken Lot Closed 6-11

They are working on gate in Hoboken Observer Highway lot this weekend

GDE Error: Error retrieving file - if necessary turn off error checking (404:Not Found)