Mr. Fitzgerald,

On March 10, 1998 we had a meeting in Seattle with Sandra L Michael at 9 am and G. Smith at 1 p.m.

I told Ms. Michael my concern about electronic notification using the VRU. I told Ms. Michael I could except electronic notification more if there was a feature to confirm the notification.
Ms. Michael said, "your unions had agreed to electronic notification". Is there any truth to that statement?

Then the discussion turned to the extra-boards and how they are driven by past guarantees.
Ms. Michael then mumbled that the crew desk would not have to manpower to allow as many lay offs as in the past.

I reminded her of Article 7 of the 1980 Crew Consist Agreement.

Mr. Fitzgerald I would like to remind you of past meetings with Superintendent Read Fay where it was agreed that protecting the boards for twenty-one days and having eight days off a month was reasonable.

I also informed Ms Michael that I have told our people to put in a claim if they are denied to lay off account manpower shortage. You can not have a manpower shortage with 20 plus people furloughed in the terminal.

Then I addressed the mishandling of the pool at Pasco when calling deadheads. Where they want a rested crew for a possible dog-catch Ms Michael agreed with me about not needing to be rested to deadhead separate from service. She also stated that the Crew Clerks are instructed not to argue with Pasco Yardmasters. I do not foresee a change in crew calling.

Then we move on to the subject of PL days. Again I pulled out the 1980 Crew Consist Agreement and stressed twenty-four hour advance notice.

We also mentioned that we would consider adding a set number of spots in the book just for PL Day requests. But under no circumstance would we reduce the number allowed in the book for personal lay-off.

Our meeting with George Smith the very first thing brought up was Mr. Luck's Superintendents notice on FTD start times through the terminal. Mr. Smith informed me that the notice came from Dave Wolters.

Mr. Smith said he would talk to Cathy Johnson on March 12, 1998 and discuss the FTD point.

Mr. Smith would also ask Ms. Johnson if a train that has a final station of Barns yard would get FTD if the crew sat at Vancouver for three hours then sent home. We know the answer but Mr. Smith will not make payments unless labor relations say "YES".

I asked Mr. Smith if I could come up on the TSS roll out. I want to compare what the crews claim and what the timekeeper sees in RTE. Mr. Smith thought that might be a good idea.

After sitting through both meetings it is very clear that Mr. Krebs can not make a profit by running a railroad. He will use Plan B toss out the agreements, after all it is only an interest free loan if the Board rules in our favor two-to-five years later.