New Military Law Impacts Treatment of Wages and Benefits

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 – Critical - UP warns of worm that may infect personal computers and suggests that employees install security patch MS08-06.

RAIL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008 - H.R. 2095

SUMMARY OF H.R. 2095 - PDF

FULL VERSION OF H.R. 2095 - PDF

FRA Emergency Order No. 26 now available - BLE WEBSITE

Failure of Carrier to provide suitable lodging in a reasonable time

Western Region General Chairman Tim Donnigan unveiled the Idaho Schedule Re-write Project to the delegates at the WRGCA Convention in Sun Valley. Then later announced that he would not seek another term due to unforeseen health issues. The longest standing Idaho General Chairman takes with him the knowledge, history and experience of the WRGCA and he will be greatly missed. Those of us who worked closely with Tim know that we have lost a very important part of the Brotherhood, but know that at this point in Brother Tim's life it's not about us, but about his well being. We wish Brother Donnigan the absolute very best and want him to know that he will be in our thoughts and prayers. Godspeed Brother.

The Delegates of the WRGCA elect Brother Jim Dayton to the position of General Chairman. Brother Dayton moves up from his prior position of First-Vice General Chairman. Brother Dayton lives in Dayton, Oregon and is a member of Division 236.

First -Vice - Brother Steve Leyshon of Las Vegas - Division 766.

Second-Vice - Brother Bruce Gates of Salt Lake - Division 713.

Third - Vice - Brother William Wallace of LaGrande - Division 362.

WRGCA Sec./Treas. - Brother Stacey Monson of Salt Lake - Division 846.

To View pictures of the WRGCA Convention click: HERE

New Military Law Impacts Treatment of Wages and Benefits - PDF

Department of Transportation reminds all transportation industries of the potential threat to public safety caused by the use of the anti-smoking drug Chantix. - pdf

WHAT EVERY RAILROAD WORKER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FEDERAL RAILROAD SAFETY LAWS AND REGULATIONS - PDF

UP DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING - PDF

Dependent Verification Project

BEFORE AND AFTER OREGON SLIDE PICTURE (THANKS DUANE)

Update regarding the Oregon slide and the rerouting of traffic:

Limited operation to begin April 5 or 6 with 8pm to 6am window.

Bend Branch trains and reroutes back onto the I-5 Corridor. What can’t be operated via Cascades will go via Bend Branch.

4 work trains per day will include 20-car rock trains (reduce 2 engineers to 1, but with power at both ends). 4 additional mud trains per day expected. Georgetown rock trains will be loaded at Crescent Lake. It is estimated that 18 engineers will be needed to protect this service.

Operations over the Cascades = 2 south and 4 north per day. Approximately 21 engineers to cover pool freight operations.

Operations over the Bend Branch = 3 north and 2 south (includes 2 “Z” trains). BNSF slots limit UP to a total of 6 slots per day.

12 demoted engineers forced from Seattle will continue their work at Eugene and will be limited to work trains, yard and locals account not qualified over entire district.

All reroutes will swing to their normal I-5 Corridor routing and what can’t be run via the Cascade Subdivision will be operated via the Bend Branch.

CASCADE SUB OUTAGE UPDATE - PDF