Category Archives: Email Post

Sick Days

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Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.

Fwd: ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENROLL IN COVERAGE

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Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.
Begin forwarded message:

From: Pete Gilbertson <pete@unioninsurance.com&gt;
Date: April 20, 2023 at 2:24:07 PM PDT
Subject: ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENROLL IN COVERAGE

Dear Division Officer,

 

Please share with your members.

 

 

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENROLL in your GCA BLET Group Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance plan underwritten by Prudential. Only members not currently participating in any of the coverages or members new to the BLET are eligible to enroll at this time. This Open Enrollment will go through April 27, 2023, and coverage will be effective on May 1, 2023. 

 

Members who are currently enrolled in the plan will have a separate open enrollment later this year to make changes to their coverages or add new coverages.

 

All active BLET Members to include Conductors and Engineers who are not currently enrolled have the following options:

 

Short-Term Disability (24/7 coverage)

  • Weekly benefit options paid tax free to members for up to 1 year.
  • Benefits can be stacked with other benefits such as RRB sickness benefits.

 

Long-Term Disability (24/7 coverage)

  • Tax free benefits that start paying after 1 year (when Short Term Disability ends).
  • Members can protect their income for up to either 2 years or 5 years.
  • These benefits can help fill the gaps between when a member files for occupational disability and when RRB approves and starts paying Long Term benefits to the member.

 

Life Insurance (24/7 coverage)

  • Includes an equal amount of Accidental Death and Dismemberment.
  • Coverage is guaranteed approved – no medical questions asked!
  • Coverage available for spouse and children

 

Attached are the Rate Guide along with a Poster and Facebook Slider that can be posted.  

 

Members can visit https://blet.unionhub.com/enroll

 

to enroll online or get more information.  As always, members can contact the Cornerstone Office at 224-770-5307 to learn more and enroll over the phone.

 

To take advantage of this enrollment opportunity, members need to enroll by April 27, 2023. 

 

We would appreciate you forwarding this to your members to help spread the word. If you or any of your members have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

Thank you for your continued support!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Peter C. Gilbertson

Vice President-Rail Division

 

Cornerstone Benefits Management

28160 W Northwest Highway, Suite 203

Lake Barrington, IL 60010

Cell. 480.395.9333

Office. 847.387.3555

Fax. 847.425.5349

www.unioninsurance.com

 

pdf icon 2023-BLET-GCA-Plan-Rate-Guide.pdf

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pdf icon BLET-Open-Enrollment-Poster.pdf
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pdf icon BLET-Facebook-Slider.pdf
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Fwd: Safety particiaption

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Info

Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.
Begin forwarded message:

From: Kent Psota <psota@bletonline.com&gt;
Date: April 4, 2023 at 9:33:48 AM PDT
To: Kent Psota <psota@bletonline.com&gt;
Cc: Jess Nelson <nelson@bletonline.com&gt;, Vern Gordon <gordon@bletonline.com&gt;, Jason Scanlan <scanlan@bletonline.com&gt;, Brian Fransen <fransen@bletonline.com&gt;, Luke Myers <myers@bletonline.com&gt;
Subject: FW: Safety particiaption

BLET GCA 150 Local Chairmen,

 

I am sending a reminder to all of you today to outline the GCA’s position concerning Safety Participation. On February 2, 2023, I had sent an update letter with the following notice below asking for each of your divisions comments surrounding participation in safety and whether the GCA should attempt to revisit safety conversations. The majority of the responses received stated that unless the GCA could secure a safety program which had a great deal of BLET division and member involvement, mirroring what we had in the past, they were not interested. Others were a flat no until the entire RR culture changes. And there was a small minority group that did want the GCA to entertain safety talks.

 

As it stands today GCA 150 is not involved in safety. The Carrier unilaterally cancelled our previous program (SSA) and got rid of our Safety Coordinators. They chose to do it their way despite our objections to the contrary. I am reaching out to all of you today to offer reminder we currently don’t participate nor can we support GCA 150 member involvement in meetings, blitzes, cookouts, cleanups or anything of that nature. Make no mistake, that is not to say that GCA 150 does not support a culture of safety and does not support having a safe workplace for our brothers and sisters. In fact quite the opposite is true. If the Carrier wants our involvement then we are certainly open entertaining being involved, but that will only come through meaningful negotiations and agreed to processes where both the Carrier and Union end up with an equal seat at the table. That is not currently the case. As it stands today, they want their unilateral imposed program and want our input only when it’s convenient for them, and GCA 150 is certainly not on board with that.

 

Fraternally,

 

Kent       

 

  1. There have been several occurrences of our Local Chairmen, and at some locations, the Legislative Reps being asked to attend meetings on a range of various topics, only to see those meetings be a guise for or bleed over into “safety” discussions. While the BLET fully supports a culture of safety and stands ready to participate in a program we have direct involvement and input in, the Carrier, not BLET canceled the previous safety program without something ratifiable in place. When we voted and declined the proposed Transportation Safety Agreement (TSA) just one year ago GCA 150 advised the Carrier we are always open to safety discussions but the (TSA) would need modifications to get member ratification on our committee. Now comes your part as the LC, drop me a simple reply email and let us know YES my division believes the GCA should try to revisit safety with the carrier or No my division is not interested in the GCA revisiting safety with the carrier.  If the majority of our LCs instruct us to make attempts to revisit safety, the GCA will stand by that decision and make the attempts, if the majority of LCs indicate they do not want us to revisit safety the GCA is good with that decision also.   

 

 

 

Vacation

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I will be on a cruise ship for the next seven days and will not be able to answer my phone or emails. If you have any questions get a hold of Rod Tiffany. 

Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.

SB 5267

Posted on by
All,

Engrossed Substitute SB 5267 (attached) passed the Senate with Bi-Partisan support just before the close of session. While we lost the FMLA and bereavement leave language of the original bill the original language is still in the House version of HB 1548 and hopefully we can gain back some of what was lost.
Thanks to all who took the time to reach out to their Senator. Your involvement will be needed to get this moved through the House and brought to a vote.
If you have any questions please reach out.
Fraternally,
Dylan
Dylan D Ekins

Chairperson

Washington State Legislative Board
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
IBT-Rail Division
509.863.2348
pdf icon 5267-S-AMS-KEIS-S2250.1.pdf

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Cell phone

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Let’s watch our cell phones cell phones. There’s been more than one investigation called for people on their phones while trains are going by. They are pulling the inside camera downloads and sending out the letters.


Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.

Meeting

Posted on by
The meeting for 758 will be tomorrow the 20th. It will be at the Teamsters hall at 2212 NE Andresen Rd, Vancouver, WA 98661. It would be good to see you. 

Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.

K Changes

Posted on by
 All,

 

Please see below changes needed to help right size the Vancouver K Crew Job base due to lower volumes.  I have attached the New plan coverage and the correct plan for reference

Thank You 

 

Bids / Re-Bids

  • 0231K VAW0102 (K VAWVAW1) – New 5 day a week job to go on duty at 0231 hoursVancouver, WA with FR/SA as rest days.  Please make it effective 2/26 and ensure bid is advertised in advance.
  • 1401K VAW0301 (K VAWVAW4) – Need to re-bid job with TU/WE as off days effective 02/23.  Please abolish current 1401K VAW0301 (K VAWVAW4) upon tie up Saturday 02/18.
  • 2201K VAW0303 (K VAWVAW6) – Need to re-bid job with SU/MO off effective 02/27.  Please abolish current job upon tie up Monday 02/26.

 

Abolish without Re-Bidding:

  • VAW0302 relief job that covers 1401/1001 days off
  • VAW0201 relief job that covers 1801/2202 days off

 

New K Crew Coverage

START TIME

DUTY LOC.

JOB NAME

JOB NUMBER

DAY OF THE WEEK

RELIEF JOB NUMBER

SU

M

T

W

TH

F

SA

O231

VC

K VAWVAW1

VAW0102

X

X

X

X

X

OFF

OFF

Adding Effective 02/26/2023

O431

VC

R NWE4401

VAW4401

RS

TU

RS

RS

RS

431

431

Terminal Use on Monday – K VAWVAW1 on relief

O601

VC

K VAWVAW2

VAW0202

601

601

X

X

X

X

X

 

1001

VC

K VAWVAW3

VAW0304

X

X

X

X

X

OFF

OFF

 

1401

VC

K VAWVAW4

VAW0301

X

X

OFF

OFF

X

X

X

Abolish current 02/18 new job eff 02/23

1701

VC

K VAWVAW8

VAW0203

OFF

OFF

X

X

X

X

X

 

1901

VC

K VAWVAW5

VAW0205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abolish 1/15/2023

2201

VC

K VAWVAW6

VAW0303

OFF

OFF

X

X

X

X

X

 

TOTAL Crews

 

4

5

6

5

6

5

5

Re-Bid days off TU/WE to SU/MO 02/27/2023

REL

VC

0431/0601

VAW0103

601

601

 

 

 

431

431

TU/WE/TH Rest Days

REL

VC

1401/1001

VAW0302

1401

1401

 

 

 

1001

1001

TU/WE/TH Rest Days Abolish 02/21/2023

REL

VC

1801/2201

VAW0201

1801

1801

2201

2201

 

 

 

TH/FR/SA Rest Days Abolish 02/23/2023

 

 

 

Current K Crew Coverage

START TIME

DUTY LOC.

JOB NAME

JOB NUMBER

DAY OF THE WEEK

RELIEF JOB NUMBER

SU

M

T

W

TH

F

SA

O231

VC

K VAWVAW1

VAW0102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abolish 01/06/2023

O431

VC

R NWE4401

VAW4401

RS

RS

RS

RS

RS

431

431

Terminal Use on Monday – K VAWVAW1 on relief

O601

VC

K VAWVAW2

VAW0202

601

601

X

X

X

X

X

 

1001

VC

K VAWVAW3

VAW0304

X

X

X

X

X

1001

1001

 

1401

VC

K VAWVAW4

VAW0301

1401

1401

X

X

X

X

X

 

1701

VC

K VAWVAW8

VAW0203

1801

1801

X

X

X

X

X

 

1901

VC

K VAWVAW5

VAW0205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abolish 1/15/2023

2201

VC

K VAWVAW6

VAW0303

X

X

2201

2201

X

X

X

 

TOTAL Crews

 

5

6

5

6

6

7

7

 

REL

VC

0431/0601

VAW0103

601

601

 

 

 

431

431

TU/WE/TH Rest Days

REL

VC

1401/1001

VAW0302

1401

1401

 

 

 

1001

1001

TU/WE/TH Rest Days

REL

VC

1801/2201

VAW0201

1801

1801

2201

2201

 

 

 

TH/FR/SA Rest Days

 

 

Kevin Baker | BNSF Railway | Vancouver, WA Terminal Manager | * kevin.baker@bnsf.com | CELL 360-608-9974 Office 360-418-6429

Identify Your Blind Spots

 

Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.

Info

Posted on by
 All GCA 150 LCs,

 

This week we met with BNSF for our first meeting concerning Articles VI and VII of the National Agreement. This meeting was set so we could gather the positions from both parties as we move forward. BLETs list of items was centered upon moving toward meaningful rest options for all locations and positions. We also want to see greater accountability and better processes put in place for the litany of mistakes and mishandling that our members are subjected to every day. There was also discussion that many of the items the Carrier seeks we already have in our 2007 Article 11 Agreement, so a complete cleansing is not necessary or warranted.

 

There are going to be a lot of negotiations in the next 6 months, and we are arranging further talks. This first meeting was simply to let us express our collective positions at a 1000-foot level. As we get further into the nuts and bolts of these discussions we will keep you advised.      

 

Fraternally,

 

Kent

 

             

Howard Allington

BLET LC 758
Vancouver,WA

This message is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521, and is legally privileged. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the email to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any file attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by reply email to the sender. Please delete this email and its attachments from your system and do not retain any copies.