Ok, my highly placed sources have told me that NS will start 1 man crew test runs by summertime, they won't wait for the union contract to finish and don't care what the union says to complain about it. They intend to do as they please and let the courts sort it out later. Talk about a gutsy company going places!!
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What happens if you only have one man and he comes down with the dreaded virus. they say it strikes quick
I have been a locomotive Engineer for NSC 22 yrs out of Knoxville TN. I have worked for the union extensively between 2002 and 2010 going over the entire North America class 1 railroads educating new hires and T and E employees about the RAILWAY LABOR ACT passed in 1926 and again amended in 1934 and 1936, also about FELA, and the National and singular collective bargaining agreements per each railroad and one to which many if not none actively working today even knows about PEB VAN WART STUDY COMMISSION of 1984 thru 1985 and there union benefits as it was. I am amazed on the conditions of my fellow brothers and sisters in our solidarity, as some may say, of the total ignorance and apathy of not only new hires and also 20yr folks concerning the history of the railroad and our unions. Why was the railway labor act implemented at that day and time and also shortly after the federal employee liability act, FELA. What is the process of discipline and why and what happens when I need representation due to being accused of a observed rule being questioned by management while shortly being approached to a hog wash 3 step program or a farce investigation( which I must say I have been disciplined way more than my fair share but due to knowing my contract, READING transcripts of other investigations, knowing also the implementing rules of NSC, understanding the difference between a major dispute and a minor dispute( WHICH I WILL COME BACK TO AGAIN HERE SHORTLY) and not relying 100% on may local chairman...which I believe in my local chairman, and I totally respect and look for him for counsel but I am not gonna be a grown up PETER PAN and use that as an accuse and say, “Hell I'm just gonna let my LC handle it because I pay those dues and that’s their job.... yes it is their thank-less job and yes they should spear head all information that members need to know....and HERE....yes HERE is where I am focusing on for which I have talked and listened to many of members yet when I ask where they READ that, or do you know what rule, or article, or section 6 notices, or agreement or why, where, from whom, and I swear only 1 out of 20 can give a solid answer to which the other 19 say, “ well that’s what so and so told me and they really know there stuff.” Now listen carefully for i am trying to bring my opinion full circle and the great majestic problem for a majority of all member is the lack of zeal to obtain knowledge about one of the most important aspects of our lives and well being to which that problem is READ!! Yes brothers and sisters we must admit most of our great and productive T&E workers never READ what they should desire to know and understand because in my opinion my JOB is paramount to my well being and livelihood... how much more can a ignorant individual do verses a knowledge individual do. I am not saying knowledge makes one superior over the next guy but I am saying that knowledge is the most powerful tool for any and all union members and I must say it’s like a dessert of literacy all around T&E Union workers. PTC, PSR, and all those other dung heap acronyms they use to basically tell us and our unions to go s— on the south side of a north bound thorough bread! I hate to hear any local chairman that’s dealing with a minor dispute on his or hers property to which they represent for members say, “ I don’t know I’ll have to get back with u when I get an answer.” Guess what folks... they are calling the general chairman for the answer to which in my opinion is crippling our local reps. It’s like the general chairman are the CLIFF NOTES because it’s easier than reading and knowing for ourselves..FOLKS ITS NOT A SECRET NOT IS IT HARD TO OBTAIN....THE ANSERS YOU NEED ARE ALL WRITTEN DOWN SOMEWHERE AND IT IS NOT ONLY PRIVILEGED TO YOUR local and general chairman. The railroad loves this and eats it up!... labor relation folks like DREW SHEPARD the big wig at labor relations loves ignorant union members because the absence of knowledge to promote and maintain our livelihood by personally and singularly reading and understanding our work and union agreements is a straight bypass to what is happening right now own our railroad! Listen, I have been disciplined for in many ways but because I prepared myself with obtainable knowledge thru reading and reading and reading and getting questions answered when I could not understand and more and more reading on everything!...when I say everything I am referring to reading article 31 and reading NSC protocol for discipline and investigation and appeals and public law boards, and historical contracts, and all the information to preserve me and my families welfare....when a trainmaster says to me, don’t take it personal... I shot rite back and say it’s every bit personal to me because when you and your superiors are trying to find fault on 10 to 12 hours of my locomotive tapes, or trying to radar me thru a slow order, and the list goes on and on...... YES IT IS PERSONAL TO ME AND YES I WILL BEAT YOU AND LABIR RELATIONS because I educated myself, because I have read and asked questions to gain the knowledge I need to BEAT the company at its own game..... yes MR TRAINMASTER I’m ready to take you on. Are you ready to take own this new so called efficient railroad? Are u abreast of what needs to be known? Can a fellow union member rely on you for important information? Can u scoff at there games because u understand the rules? Can u honestly say I AM A UNUION MAN or WONAN? Are you ready and educated for the future of-this NEW NSC? Well my friends, if u are not then don’t plan your union, your local chairman, or the international.... if u are not ready then u will not survive these upcoming years and the new and unlikely improved railroad.... EDUCATE, KNOWLEDGE, SOLIDARITY, AND UNITY can and will be our best weapon against these troubling years to come.... I wish the best for all!
you are completely right, we need to just say no on these matters and stick together, the only problem is you cant get one room of people to agree, how are you going to get everyone system wide to agree? the company knows this and uses it to there advantage
The companies want you to strike, so they can have the President of the United States fire you. They will then hire people off the street and pay them half the wages we are currently earning. Remember what happened to the air traffic controllers when they went out on a wildcat strike? The only time we can strike is when contract negotiations completely collapse. Everyone who keeps talking about striking needs to read the Railway Labor Act. Everyone also needs to remember that last contract everyone so cheerfully voted for, the railroads are now holding you to that contract. This is something everyone needs to think about when voting for the next contract. The railroads have already told the negotiators they will not renegotiate any work rules. I say many of our work rules need renegotiated to stop the company from forcing people to preform other crafts work and if you say no, they try to fire you for insubordination. If the company does not want to renegotiate work rules, we need to keep voting NO on any new contract until a strike vote is authorized. Now is the time for all unions to stick together, the company is trying to play the unions against each other, remember the old saying people "United We Stand, Divide and We'll Fall" it's the truth, at this point in time we need to stand united.
Perfect opportunity to strike oh wait that's right our labor unions have no balls to call it.
Sure glad you're not my Union Officer.
I AM JUST GLAD TO BE A CAR KNOCKER. I KNOW I WOULD HATE THE IDEA OF PILOTING A 150 CAR FREIGHT TRAIN ALONE. I THINK ITS JUST CRAZY
Spoke to someone high up is NS. They are going 1 man very soon. He said theyll deal with the repercussions later. Its all about short term profits and psr isnt cutting it. He said they dont care about long term. If theyre forced to bring back the conductor, theyll offer it to furloughed employees and hire new conductors. He said they want to start soon while the republicans are still in control.
It may happen down the road, but it surely won't happen by the summer. No way possible!
I heard the same. It's not looking good.
Total BS yet again from the Conway Clown