Mr. Gohl, on March 20, 2000 I spoke
with Greg Luck about my concerns of the on going crew shortages. On that day the
conductors extra board was increased by 5, engineers extra board was increased by 5 and
the long pool was increased by 2 for both the engineers and conductors for a grand total
of fourteen new positions.
Currently employees are in a state of
exhaustion. Cycle times are ridiculously short. Cross utilization of extra boards make it
impossible for crews to be properly rested.
Employees are continually being denied reasonable
layoffs. I keep hearing how TY&E people will not protect the extra boards. The truth
is a majority of TY&E people work more then what is expected of them as outlined by
the Attendance Guidelines.
Attached is a call sheet where a Wishram,
WA crew was used for a Vancouver train. The Chief made this decision account manpower
shortage
. I cannot accept an excuse of manpower
shortage to disregard schedule rules especially when the shortage is self-imposed by BNSF
policy.
For the last year extra boards have
been over regulated and micro-managed to death. Over 18 employees from the 05-seniority
district have refused to return to the service of the BNSF. On January 31, a class of 10
new hires was scheduled for Vancouver of the ten only six reported with one dropping out.
Of the remanding five one plans on staying at Vancouver.
Is there a plan to address the shortage of
employees for this summer? You have a volatile situation on your hands with crews being
over worked and no sign of relief.
