Category: Safety

Territory Qualification

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.

“Do I Need a Pilot?” Guide

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NTSB recommends an end to riding shoves

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.

NTSB press release

PDF file of full report

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UP seeks FRA waiver to test RCO on mainline trains

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.

FRA waiver request

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Important Topics from August 12th Meeting

Several important topics were raised at the most recent union meeting:

  • Drug/Alcohol Screening: If you are told that you will need to submit to a alcohol and/or drug screening, you must comply will all instructions given. Particularly, you may be directed to turn off your cell phone and you must comply or it will considered a refused test. If you are waiting for a tester to arrive or waiting for your turn to be tested, clarify with management and/or the tester if you are allowed to use you cell phone while you wait. Refer to Union Pacific Drug & Alcohol Policy for more information
    • 21.2 UP Policy
      Refusal to Test and Tampering
      […]
      “Employees must place electronic devices, as defined in Rule 2.21, in the off position when directed to do so by the manager or collector during the drug or alcohol testing process. Failure to do so will be considered a refusal.”

  • FMLA Documentation: Do not allow your medical provider to submit your FMLA certification paperwork to the carrier. Often, the carrier has claimed to have never received faxed documents from the provider, denies the FMLA certification and reverts FL layoffs to accumulate points under the Attendance Policy . Instead, have your provider return the completed certification to you and submit it to the carrier yourself. Submitting this electronically through the SAP portal better ensures a record of the documentation being timely submitted.

  • Zero-to-Zero waiver: The Carrier has submitted a waiver request to the FRA to implement the “Zero-to-Zero” feature of EMS that would start and stop equipped trains. We are encouraging the membership to submit Technology Report Forms whenever an engineer has had to disengage EMS in order to comply with proper train handling or to prevent a rule violation. Documented evidence of EMS errors strengthens the organization’s case in convincing the FRA that this technology cannot be trusted to replace the crew’s responsibilities.

  • Bylaws: New Bylaws for the local were proposed and will be voted upon at the September 9th meeting.

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