I want to extend my sincere thanks to both Ranessa Greene and Pat Belardo for accepting the task of being the new trainers for the conductor program. They have a long and exemplary record working as conductors. Their real life experience will only help explain in greater detail what our job responsibilities are on a daily basis. The current students in these classes are certainly getting top notch teachers of our craft. Ranessa and Pat will begin this assignment on Monday 10/12/15. There will be a new class starting before the end of 2015. The students that had difficulty in either of the first two classes will be given the opportunity to resume their training in this new class.  I have complete faith in Pat and Ranessa’s abilities. I encourage all Members to assist them in the training of the new members of our “Local 60 family”.

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

We have had some incidents lately and our GC wanted some information available to members who may encounter this situation. When ordered to operate in areas you are not PC qualified you may operate as long as the requirements of the CFR are satisfied. Essentially you can go into a non-main track area (yard) and operate at restricted speed as long as the distance does not exceed a mile. See below for more details

• 242.301   Requirements for territorial qualification.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c), (d), or (e) of this section, a railroad, including a railroad that employs conductors working in joint operations territory, shall not permit or require a person to serve as a conductor unless that railroad determines that the person is certified as a conductor and possesses the necessary territorial qualifications for the applicable territory pursuant to §242.119.

(b) Each person who is called to serve as a conductor shall:

(1) Meet the territorial qualification requirements on the segment of track upon which he or she will serve as a conductor; and

(2) Immediately notify the railroad upon which he or she is employed if he or she does not meet the required territorial qualifications.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, if a conductor lacks territorial qualification on main track physical characteristics required by paragraph (a) of this section, he or she shall be assisted by a person who meets the territorial qualification requirements for main track physical characteristics.

(1) For a conductor who has never been qualified on main track physical characteristics of the territory over which he or she is to serve as a conductor, the assistant shall be a person who is certified as a conductor, meets the territorial qualification requirements for main track physical characteristics, and is not an assigned crew member.

(2) For a conductor who was previously qualified on main track physical characteristics of the territory over which he or she is to serve as a conductor, but whose qualification has been expired for one year or less and who regularly traversed the territory prior to the expiration of the qualification, the assistant may be any person, including an assigned crewmember, who meets the territorial qualification requirements for main track physical characteristics.

(3) For a conductor who was previously qualified on main track physical characteristics of the territory over which he or she is to serve as a conductor, and whose qualification has been expired for one year or less but who has not regularly traversed the territory prior to the expiration of the qualification, or a conductor whose territorial qualification on main track has been expired for more than a year, the assistant may be any person, including an assigned crewmember other than the locomotive engineer so long as serving as the assistant would not conflict with that crewmember’s other safety sensitive duties, who meets the territorial qualification requirements for main track physical characteristics.

(d) If a conductor lacks territorial qualification on other than main track physical characteristics required by paragraph (a) of this section, where practicable, he or she shall be assisted by a person who is a certified conductor and meets the territorial qualification requirements for other than main track physical characteristics. Where not practicable, the conductor shall be provided an appropriate up-to-date job aid.

(e) An assistant is not required if the movement is on a section of main track with an average grade of less than 1% over 3 continuous miles, and

(1) The maximum distance the locomotive or train will be operated does not exceed one mile; or

(2) The maximum authorized speed for any operation on the track does not exceed 20 miles per hour; or

(3) Operations are conducted under operating rules that require every locomotive and train to proceed at a speed that permits stopping within one half the range of vision of the locomotive engineer.

• 240.231   Requirements for locomotive engineers unfamiliar with physical characteristics in other than joint operations.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no locomotive engineer shall operate a locomotive over a territory unless he or she is qualified on the physical characteristics of the territory pursuant to the railroad’s certification program.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, if a locomotive engineer lacks qualification on the physical characteristics required by paragraph (a) of this section, he or she shall be assisted by a pilot qualified over the territory pursuant to the railroad’s certification program.

(1) For a locomotive engineer who has never been qualified on the physical characteristics of the territory over which he or she is to operate a locomotive or train, the pilot shall be a person qualified and certified as a locomotive engineer who is not an assigned crew member.

(2) For a locomotive engineer who was previously qualified on the physical characteristics of the territory over which he or she is to operate a locomotive or train, but whose qualification has expired, the pilot may be any person, who is not an assigned crew member, qualified on the physical characteristics of the territory.

(c) Pilots are not required if the movement is on a section of track with an average grade of less than 1% over 3 continuous miles, and

(1) The track is other than a main track; or

(2) The maximum distance the locomotive or train will be operated does not exceed one mile; or

(3) The maximum authorized speed for any operation on the track does not exceed 20 miles per hour; or

(4) Operations are conducted under operating rules that require every locomotive and train to proceed at a speed that permits stopping within one half the range of vision of the locomotive engineer.

Some information from Sunday’s meeting;

• Time cards dropped off in box in Maplewood will not be processed for the corresponding pay period after 11:00am (get them in before 11:00) All other boxes please have in by 5:00 am Friday mornings
• GCS Scott Spratt 973-223-8654  sspratt@utulocal60.com (Newark Division) and VLC Dan “JR” Schneider 973-224-3358  dschneider@utulocal60.com (Hoboken Division) will be handling crew caller issues for members please forward all information (names of callers, times, assignment numbers, dates, other employees involved, supervisor on duty, any and all information on incident) to these local 60 representatives they have been assigned by GC Burkert to deal directly with crew caller supervision to rectify problems.
• The one hour payment due for members affected by Papal visit as per agreement will be paid automatically as per payroll. GC Burkert advises submitting a time card immediately if not paid in the pay period its due
• We are still trying to find a officer who would be able to maintain a mailbox in Newark Penn station before we install one
•  Continue to email GC Burkert payroll issues please be sure to include all details sburkert@utulocal60.com

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GC Burkert contacted me and as he is currently unavailable traveling from meetings, asked me to post a message concerning the Papal Visit this weekend. He has reached an agreement with the carrier for Atlantic City line service and what will be required of crews. In addition, compensation for all regular Atlantic City crews affected by assignment changes, and all Newark division extra board employees. All employees who are available will receive an additional hour straight time pay for each day Saturday and Sunday. Employees who wish to receive the additional pay must be available that day Saturday and Sunday, and not use sick, personal, optional, hold down or vacation days. He has had conversations with management and will personally ensure what was agreed upon is fulfilled. Details on service and time cards will follow

I encourage all members to work their entire assignment this week during the time that the Pope is visiting our area. This is not the time to schedule any doctor visits or to use extra time for personal business. We at Local 60 are in a crucial time in contract negotiations and we certainly don’t want any negative press. Please do not listen to gossip in the locker rooms, it is absolutely against the law for any unauthorized activities that could be deemed a job action by the Carrier. I would prefer that all members contact the crew callers and make themselves available during their rest days, there will be an abundance of extra work.

Fraternally,

Stephen J, Burkert

General Chairman

https://utulocal60.com/utuia-link/

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