Jay L Schollmeyer Local Chairman 1637 Portland, OR 97215 Email jay@jaysworks.com

In reference to your response to the unsafe condition report filed by Mr. Almy citing paper deadheads and blanking turns in pool as an unsafe practice. You stated unscheduled lay offs and manpower shortage as the primary cause. On the surface your statement maybe correct, but it is only half of the equation.

Last August Dave Dealy set up a series of conference calls to address the projected surge in traffic and the shortage of TY&E personnel. Having been apart of that process last fall I can report that suggestions were offered and ideas were exchanged but no action was taken on the Northwest Division.

Based on the cross utilization I recommended to division managers that the first new hire class should begin by October. The carrier chose to wait until January of 2004. By doing so the BNSF saved four months of Health & Welfare at the expense of the TY&E employees.

Extra Board Stats  September 2003
	Total Starts	Cond	Engineer	Brakeman	Yardman	% for other boards
Conductor	453	357	9	47	40	21%
Brakeman	13	0	0	12	1	8%
Yardmen	211	1	0	4	206	2%

Extra Board Stats  August 2003
	Total Starts	Cond	Engineer	Brakeman	Yardman	% for other boards
Conductor	489	404	4	40	41	17%
Brakeman	7	0	0	6	1	14%
Yardmen	209	1	0	2	206	1%

Extra Board Stats  March 2004
	Total Starts	Cond	Engineer	Brakeman	Yardman	% for other boards
Conductor	475	374	34	21	46	21%
Brakeman	12	6	0	6	0	50%
Yardmen	137	1	0	0	136	1%

 

As Mr. Almy reported, there are some serious fatigued issues due to poor lineups and manpower shortages created by BNSF management. As you so noted, they still exist.

 

Yours truly,
/s/J.L. Schollmeyer
Local Chairman 1637