Jay L. Schollmeyer
2nd Asst. General Chairman
UTU GCA GO 386

 Dear Mr. Schollmeyer;

Thank you for your letter of September 20, 1999, concerning the two incidents the transpired at Pasco, WA.

Mr. Verity has addressed this issue with the Trainmaster involved and also with all other Trainmasters and Yardmasters to avoid future issues such as this. Mr. Thompson is aware of the inappropriate type of behavior and will handle issue such of this correctly in the future.

There are a number of reasons for crews getting to there on duty point on time. There is an enough blame to go around, and most of time it is not always the crew fault or the van driver’s fault, but late calls and many other issues.

We will continue to work on these issues. I have asked the Doubletree for a second van to hopefully improve this issue along with instructions to the Doubletree that we will only stop at the store with a crew going to work. The hotel has agreed to have a van available at others times to transport crews to the store. I would ask that you help in making sure crews are only taking 10 to 15 minutes at the store, not the excessive 30 to 45 minutes which we have record of furnish by the Doubletree. I’m sure you can agree that 30 to 45 minutes to stop in the store for food for over the road is out of line.

Your people and all BNSF employees are and will be treated with the same dignity and respect any other person is given and I would expect that your membership along with yourself would do the same also.

I will continue to monitor this issue and I would ask that you contact me direct with any issue at 509-536-2257 so we can address immediately.

Thank You,
Kelly W. Duryea

Cc:jrh