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New agreement pay timelines for Conductors - 26 Jul 08
UTU Agreement Communication Issues - Correction
Importance: High
Please advise the GC's of the below time lines and sensitivities.
Timeline
* New Rates will be effective 7/1/2008. Payroll will process
adjustments to current rates and they will be reflected in the employee'
s check dated July 25, 2008.
* Should the employee check their Daily Statement of Earnings on
July 2, 2008 the new rates will not be visible to the employee. Payroll
period ends July 11, 2008.
* Back pay will be paid under a separate check dated August 29,
2008.
BLET Single System $2,500 Signing Bonus
* Employees UTU back pay will be offset by the $2,500 BLET signing
bonus for all those employees that received the bonus as a result of the
BLET SSA agreement. This will include Yardmasters as well as UTU
trainman.
401(k) Deferral
* Employees have been informed that if they wish to change their
elections in anticipation of the back pay that if their election is not
changed back at the time of regular payroll they could have a larger
deduction due to the timing of the deferral election and when the
payroll runs. Payroll will not issue vouchers due to this scenario.
Conrail Advance Monies Recovered
* Employees who have retired, terminated or resigned during the
back pay period who may have been advanced $500.00 or $850.00 in 1999
during the Conrail - CSX integration are subject to repaying the advance
from proceeds of the back pay if the money was not collected from final
pay at the point of retirement, termination or resignation.
Negative Back Pay
* The back pay amounts will be calculated less the COLA's which
may reflect a negative numbers for an individual transmission. The
total back pay will be the net result of all increases less the COLAs
with an offset of the BLET SSA $2,500 signing bonus. Should the result
be a negative number no recovery will be initiated.
* The retroactive back pay is paid from 7-1-05 through 6-30-08.
* The retroactive back pay is paid in a lump sum under
constructive code BP
* The retroactive back pay will pay in a separate check from
regular earnings; checks, direct deposits and pay cards will be dated
8-29-08.
* The retroactive general wage increases (GWIs) defined by the
agreement are as follows:
* 7-1-05 through 6-30-06 - 2.5% general wage increase LESS
cost of living adjustment increases already paid
* 7-1-06 through 6-30-07 - 3.0% general wage increase LESS cost
of living adjustment increases already paid
* 7-1-07 through 6-30-08 - 3.0% general wage increase LESS
cost of living adjustment increases already paid
* 7-1-08 through 6-30-09 - 4% general wage increase LESS cost of
living adjustment increases already paid
* The Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) during the periods of
the general wage increase were as follows:
* 7-1-05 through 12-31-05 - $1.20 per day ($.15 per hour)
* 1-1-06 through 6-30-06 - $2.48 per day ($.31 per hour)
* 7-1-06 through 12-31-06 - $ .08 per day ($.01 per hour)
* 1-1-07 through 6-30-07 - $1.20 per day ($.15 per hour)
* 7-1-07 through 8-31-07 - $ .80 per day ($.10 per hour)
* 1-1-08 through 6-30-08 - $1.28 per day ($.16 per hour)
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As a Conductor, why should I join the BLET?
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We are the BLE&Trainman!
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Your current labor union has managed to cut the road and yard guarantee to 75% of that of a pre-1985 employee. Although you perform the same amount of work, and risk the same hazards, you are not entitled to the same pay. That alone is why I chose to leave the UTU. (how could ANY union agree to LOWER a members wages by 25%? It's preposterous!)
Who will represent me If I'm Under Investigation?
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Any union member can represent you in an investigation. The contract holder does represent you in an appeal. If for ANY reason the UTU representative were to make ANY screw up's, or not fully represent you. You may refer to a copy of a letter from Mr. Reed, stating his "threat of representation by the UTU" for BLET conductors. This letter stated his "threat" to not represent members who went to the BLET. If you feel you have been misrepresented in any way, contact your BLET chairmen, and we will press FULL Civil Litigation on the UTU, and the individual representing you, for misrepresentation. The UTU has no choice but to represent you to the fullest means possible in the even of an appeal, and for any reason they do not, they are held personally liable, and are subject to civil suits. ........IN OTHER WORDS! Don't worry about it!!!
Click here to join the BLET today!!!
