New Local Chairpersons in Missouri and Nebraska

A number of Local Chairmanships have changed hands in the last month and General Committee 001 would like to thank those members who are choosing to serve and those who have served this Union and its members.

Wendie Henderson has been elected as the new Local Chairperson for Local 934Z representing Conductors, Trainmen and Yardmen out of Alliance, NE.  Wendie has worked for BNSF for 27 years and has served as Vice Local Chairperson for nearly 25.  Her years of service and experience made Wendie a strong selection for the members of local 934Z and on October 26 she was the only person to be nominated for the position.

"Our lodge took nominations for Legislative Rep, Alternate Legislative Rep, 2 Vice Local Chairmen, and Local Chairman," said Henderson.  "We are very happy to see so many people interested in these positions and I look forward to working with them."

Local 627X, representing Trainmen from Wymore and Lincoln, NE, voted earlier this year to join Local 305 starting January 1st.  Ron Trauernicht was elevated from Vice Local Chairperson to Acting Local Chairperson replacing John Foote.  They will be forming their own Local Committee within 305 and there is a meeting scheduled for November 23 for nominations for Local Chair and Vice Local Chair. 

"I would welcome anyone to run," said Trauernicht.

It was a busy month in Nebraska for Local Chairpersons.  Joe Curran is currently serving as Acting Local Chairperson for Local 305Y representing Conductors and Trainmen out of Lincoln, NE replacing Bryan Dance.  Across the Missouri River and all the way to the Mississippi River, Jeff Willis replaced Virgil Peters and is currently serving as Acting Local Chairperson for Local 219X representing Conductors and Trainmen from Hannibal and West Quincy, MO.

Congratulations to Kim Crisman on a Well Deserved Retirement

Kim Crisman retired on Monday, October 12, 2015 after 43 years of service to the railroad and Local 196.  He was originally hired for CB&Q back in 1973 and during his career worked as a Brakeman and Conductor.  His last job was as a Conductor of the Beardstown RSPR 8541 Road-Switcher.

Kim plans on spending his golden years Fishing, Golfing and spending some quality time with his friends and family.  His friends and colleagues at SMART Transportation Local 196 would like to wish Kim good health, good luck and great success in his retirement.  He will be missed.

General Chairman Updates Members on BNSF Employee "Buyout"

The following letter was emailed to GO-001 Local Chairpersons on Thursday, September 17 to update them on additional details of the "Buyout" letter previously sent to select BNSF ground service employees and how to best advise their members.  General Chairman Randall Knutson wanted to ensure that all of the members have access to this important information and ordered the letters releases on the General Committees website and social media.

Brothers & Sisters

 Attached for your reference is a copy of the most recent communication BNSF Labor Relations will issue regarding their selective offer for voluntary separation.  While BNSF will be mailing a copy to each eligible employee, all of you should be aware of these details in the event you are questioned. 

 As we advised in our last broadcast, if you are contacted by any eligible employee regarding their decision to accept this offer, please insist that they personally contact both the RRB and UHC to review their personal scenario.  While we were told that there was some internal discussion on the matter, BNSF is not offering any means of bridging insurance coverage for employees that wish to accept this offer and are not 60 years of age by the effective date.

 On the other hand, the attached communication does answer two of the primary questions we have been receiving in the office.  First, the employee will be compensated for any earned and unused vacation or applicable personal leave days if they accept this offer.

 The letter also indicates that BNSF will consider employees eligible for the separation allowance even if they retired subsequent to August 24th.  As long as the employee was in active ground service on that date, they remain eligible for consideration.  However, we have notified Labor Relations that as long as all eligible employees requesting the separation are granted the offer, this should not present a problem.  On the other hand, if those that retired subsequent to the eligibility date were granted the offer ahead of an employee in active service, this office will progress a grievance on behalf of the latter employee.  That said, we are led to believe that BNSF is going to offer the separation allowance to all eligible employees that submit a request.

 If you have any questions regarding this broadcast, please feel free to contact us.

 Fraternally,

Randy K

GO-001 Redesigns Website to Improve Communications with Members

ARVADA, CO- SMART Transportation Division's General Committee 001 is proud to announce the release of their newly redesigned website smartunion001.org and social media platforms.  GO-001 Committee Members are determined to do a better job of communicating with their members so the new website and social media tools were designed to do just that. 

The new smartunion001.org will be a dedicated hub for articles, news and photos covering GO-001 business and interests.  The General Committee will also be following major news outlets, politicians and decision makers in order to post member focused articles.  The website can be accessed from most smart phones and smartunion001.org will be linked to Twitter @SMARTunion001 and Facebook /smart-go-001 so that the members can get all of the union news and information on the go.

GO-001 understands that many members don't have the time to go to a union meeting or to get involved in union matters.  It is the desire of the General Committee that the website and social media platforms will be a valuable service that can bring the union meeting and union matters to the members.