It’s come to our attention that management has been suggesting that the rules and FRA regulations allow for crews to go beyond their territory qualification provided that they proceed at restricted speed. The FRA has confirmed that this is incorrect. If you are not qualified where you are told to go, inform them that you are not qualified and require a pilot. If told to go without a pilot, do not be insubordinate or argumentative. Instead, document:
- The name of the manager/dispatcher that told you to go and at what time
- Times and mileposts of the start and end of where you were not qualified.
- The signal indications of all signals you pass between those mileposts.
- Keep a copy of your TCS/bulletins
Use this form to report violations and/or contact your LR reps directly. Try to do this as soon as possible so that we can secure evidence to further substantiate the violation.
After investigating 16 shoving incidents since Oct 2020 where 14 trainmen were killed and 2 seriously injured, the NTSB released a recommendation report on Sept 17th. They are recommending a prohibition of railroad workers riding equipment to protect shoving moves.
This remains only a recommendation and does not change any FRA regs or UP operating rules.
President Ferguson addresses the facts and myths of Jobs For Life agreement signed in exchange for support of the UP-NS merger.
At the Sept 8th meeting, the bylaws proposed at the August meeting were voted upon and adopted.
An updated claims information packet for conductors has been posted in the Information section of the website. Links are also provided below.
In June, Union Pacific requested a waiver from the FRA to waive safety regulations to begin testing camera-assisted remote control capabilities for mainline trains. The test program is designed to use camera-assisted RCO control of locomotives for pick-ups and setouts. For the purposes of this test program, they’re requesting to waive regulations that require additional safety precautions before using camera-assisted RCL over those crossings. They’re also asking the FRA to waive “man down” testing.
This request relies on the supposed reliability of current technology to justify suspending safety rules for new automated testing. Submitting your technology report forms provides the evidence our union needs to challenge these claims and protect our safety.