I have been notified by our General Chairman that SMART-TD Local 60 will continue participating in C3RS. Stay tuned for upcoming changes/enhancements to the program.
Good Faith Challenge
April 19, 2015 By
Jerome sent me an update he would like shared with all our members;
- 218.97 Good faith challenge procedures.
(a) Employee responsibility. An employee shall inform the railroad or employer whenever the employee makes a good faith determination that the employee has been directed to either take actions that would violate FRA regulations regarding the handling of equipment, switches, and fixed derails as required by this subpart, or to take actions that would violate the railroad’s operating rules implementing the requirements of this subpart.
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Good Faith Challenge, you have the right under FRA CFR 49 218-97, to challenge any supervisor or yardmaster if they order you to violate the specific rules contained in 218. They are leaving equipment fouling, fixed derails and switches. Leaving equipment fouling is a one we encounter often and want to focus on, it is a violation of this rule issued by the FRA and a decertification against your conductor certification. If you are told to leave equipment fouling another track you MUST foul completely to restrict any access to the track or other tracks i.e. pull equipment over the switch so it cannot be accessed. You cannot just pull it just a little long, regardless of who told you and you have every right to refuse to do it and request a good faith challenge, most locations are marked with a tie painted or marks on adjacent pavement. Once you request a good faith challenge you cannot be ordered to make the move until it reaches resolution under the FRA guidelines. Please read SI 701 B-1 for the complete rule and third party has to be on site and their ruling is official.
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When working in yards and drilling multi levels, and the 27 point jumper cables have been removed, you must cut out epic computer breaker located behind engineer’s seat in the cab car, in order to make up your air. When this circumstance occurs and you’re making a shoving move you will not be able to make an emergency application (dump) the train from the cab stand, you must use the firemans side dump valve located just to the right of the window or the valve inside the coach located to the upper right of cab access door.
If you encounter any problems in the yard always follow the safe course and ask questions, if you are unsure your union representatives numbers are posted online and at sign up locations, (please put at least one of our numbers in your phone and reach out to us) we cannot always answer immediately but leave a message and we will get back to you ASAP.
MMC C3RS Forum
April 17, 2015 By
During the entire week of April 20, 2015, between the hours of 9am and 2am, your C3RS Peer Review Team (PRT) will be visiting the MMC. This will be an open forum where we will share our experiences and ongoing C3RS trends.
Optional Displacement
April 7, 2015 By
The optional displacement will be on May 17, 2015. There will also be the spring timetable change at that time.
Local 60 C3RS update
March 19, 2015 By
Members,
Our General Chairman is still in talks with the FRA and the Carrier regarding our continued participation in the C3RS program. The deadline for our exit from the program has been extended to May 15, 2015.
Until that date, or until our General Chairman advises us otherwise, I’m reminding all members that we are still covered by the C3RS program and reports will be accepted until such notification.
Local 60 has officially joined the NJT Coalition.
March 10, 2015 By
Local 60 has now joined the Coalition that represents 88% of Rail Union members on the property. This decision was made after careful studying of all the facts and from direct feedback from members. I will keep you updated on the progress of the contract negotiations.
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
Effective March 1, 2015 the UTU/SMART Safety teams are suspended.
February 28, 2015 By
The safety teams that monitor each rail line and meet with the Carrier on a monthly basis are being suspended. All information from past meetings will be reviewed and evaluated. Upon completion of this review a decision will be made on how to proceed for the future. This suspension is in no way a reflection on the fine work done by past and present Members. The decision to re-evaluate our participation was made with each Members safety in mind.
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
Pink Time cards Debut on Monday March 2, 2015
February 27, 2015 By
The new pink colored time cards are ONLY for missing days or shortages. If you feel that NJ Transit still owes you days (vacation or personal) or you have never been paid for an assignment that you worked in the past, use this new time card. If you feel that you have been shorted in your pay, and it has never been corrected, use the pink time sheet. The company is willing to go back and research” legitimate” claims of missing monies that are owed to our Members. They must be on the pink copies only. The cut-off date to submit the pink cards is April 15, 2015. If you fail to submit it by that date the amnesty period will be over and you will not be paid. There will be no payments made to Members until after the 4/15/2015 deadline and verification is made on the ” legitimate” claims that were submitted.
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
Requesting a “manual” check for a payroll shortage
February 27, 2015 By
The correct term is “Off Cycle Check”. If your weekly payroll check is short more than an 8 hour day you may request this check. They will ask if they can pay you the missing shortage next week. They have the right to ask and that is your decision. If you still require the “off cycle check” they have 24 hours to get you that check. They do not present you with the rquested check on the spot, it will take the 24 hours to process it through the system. This is listed under Rule 26 in our UTU Agreement.
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
UTU/Smart Roster Delayed
February 27, 2015 By
The Member roster that is due out on March 1, 2015 will be delayed. Our Treasurer is away at a seminar in Cleveland for his new position. The roster will be posted towards the end of this month. Thank you.
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
