JANUARY 2011 ISSUE NUMBER 10

UNION MEETING JANUARY11th19:00 @ VFW CONNELLSVILLE

Safety Tips of the Month

If the month of December is any indication, it looks like “Old Man Winter” will have no mercy on us again this year. After last years’ brutal cold and record amounts of snow we should all be prepared for another “Old Fashioned” Winter. Everyone should be commended on their professionalism in handling last year’s unprecedented weather. We had no injuries even though it seemed every train had to be walked due to faulty detectors and no stop signal violations eventhough stopping distances increased dramatically due to the snow. With the exception of the catastrophic derailment in Glencoe which was no fault of the crew, we got through last year in pretty good shape. Let’s take a minute to remember last years lessons and review some rules to keep in mind as we face Winter this year.

Conductors should be extra careful when required to walk trains in the snow. When possible, use areas that are free of snow so you can see where you are placing your foot. If you determine that it is best to walk on an adjacent track, be sure to call the dispatcher and get protection. Remember if it’s not safe, don’t do it! Be sure to review the Baltimore DivisionGeneral Bulletin that refers to inspecting trains prior to descending the Sand Patch Grade. These instructions are designed to place the sole responsibility for the safe operation of your train in inclement weather squarely on your shoulders. If in doubt, take the safe course!

Engineers should review rule 5655 in the CSX ABTH. Don’t be afraid to make running brake tests whenever the opportunity presents itself. Remember that your train will take much longer to stop when using the air brakes, so you must begin earlier that normal when approaching slow orders and required stops. Also, when snow is covering the top of the rail you must not exceed 15 MPH when descending Sand Patch. It is important that Conductors and Engineers work together to insure their safety and the safety of their Brothers and Sisters, so have frequent job briefings and remember ………..you are a professional.

A Message From Your Local Chairman

As the New Year presents itself so will new challenges.We bring with us our values, beliefs, and agreements. As a local, we are prepared to battle the wrong and enforce the right.As most of you know, the number of our members that have been ordered to attend investigations has greatly increased. As a union member it is your right to have competent people working in your defense. It is your responsibility to notify your Local Chairman upon receiving your charge letter. It is your responsibility to be an active participant in the investigation process. As soon as you receive your charge letter you must contact your local Chairman so he can represent you properly.

Fraternally,

Local Chairman

Bill Conrad

History Corner with T.K.KraemerUTU 340 Historian

Volume 11-1 SouthHeights Landmark

This month, the massive power-generating plant known as the "Frank R. Phillips Power Station" at SouthHeights (Glen Willard), Pa., is undergoing demolition. This impressive structure was completed in 1942, and was operated by the Duquesne Light Company, and later, Orion Power Midwest. The plant was coal-fired, and was served through a wharf on the Ohio River and had rail-access via the P&LERR. The plant was constructed primarily to provide electricity for the booming local industries that were reaching their peak production levels during World War II. The active complex covered eight acres of land, had storage space for 250,000 tons of coal, and had a river mooring capacity of 24 barges. An interesting historical fact is that it was the site of the first "flue gas desulphurization scrubber on a utility power plant in the US," which was a strong step toward American industry becoming less environmentally harmful in the second-half of the 20th century. The plant was closed for service as the need for industrial energy had severely declined during the 1980s. Frank R. Phillips, by the way, was an early President of the Duquesne Light Company that has served the greater Pittsburgh area with electricity since the early 1880s.

South Heights in the early 1960’s

Odds and Ends

  • Be sure to have your new Timetable in your grip and review it for any changes or errors. Some changes include the lowering of diverging speeds through the crossovers at Sand Patch and a permanent speed restriction of 25 MPH from Ohiopyle to Indian Creek on #1 Track.

If you notice any other changes make sure everyone is made aware so we can all stay out of trouble.

  • I’m sure all of you were eagerly awaiting the results of the Safety Committee Elections that were supposed to be held at the December Regular Meeting. Unfortunately the meeting had to be cancelled due to the snow. The election will be held at the regular

meeting to be held January 11 at 1900 at the Connellsville VFW. Please attend the meeting if you can.

  • Remember to keep our friend Ed Bock in your thoughts and prayers. As you know Ed is having some serious health problems and he and his family could use our support in their time of need. Donations can be given to Stoney Houdersheldt or Jim Lee.

Committee Reports

  • Hotel Committee Report by Ed DeMott

Please be aware when entering the Comfort Inn when wearing your studded boots. Your boots should be removed before entering the carpeted areas of the lobby and please do not let them drip melted snow and mud on the carpet in your room.

Contact Ed @ or (301) 268-8819

  • Crew Caller Committee Report by Mike Lowery

If an ID crew is called to go to Connellsville for a train to come back to Cumberland, they should tell the crew caller that they areto remain in ID service andthe proper time card should show a "Z" time card for the D/H and a regular time card for the train home.This would pay the ID Service combination service of420 miles. Crew should claim 420 miles on the time card for total miles claimed (ID Service round trip)and fill out the actual miles ran and the actual miles involved in the D/H.

If the crew is called from the Cumberland XB, more than likely they will be shown working in the F1 pool.If this is the case the crew should get code 17 to transfer terminals, which should paythe basic day. The callers have been showing a "CQZ" status for the Conductors, which only pays time in the cab. If this happens use code "TA" to claim the lost earnings for the D/H. Crews should have the regular time card to Cumberland. If you have to go to the hotel you must observe rest if that is what the Chief requires and take the trip/train back to Connellsville when called. If the crew D/H’s back, use combination service "Z" to get to Connellsville and claim the 186 mikes for the trip. Then get the timecard for the return trip home which would be a 17.Then again, dependingonthe conductor status (CQZ) this will either pay a day back or time in the cab, which there again, they should fill out the claim as described above. If the crew drives their own vehicles they should claim Code 90 onthe 03 screen for the mileagedriven (186 miles).

Contact Mike @ or 240 217-5667

B&O Steam Engine Westbound at McKees Rocks

FELA Questions and Answers

This month we will begin a series of questions and answers concerning your rights and responsibilities under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act.

What should I do if I am injured?

  • Report the injury: It is required that you report your injury to the railroad as soon as possible. Most railroads have rules requiring injured employees to complete an accident report form. It is important to document any aspect of railroad negligence or fault in the accident report form. You are not required to give any other statement regarding your accident to the railroad claims agent. If the agent attempts to take your statement, you may refuse to provide one. If you chose to give a statement, please contact your union representative or our office for help.
  • Contact your Union Representative: Report your injury to your local union officer as soon as possible. Your union officer is there to help you. The union officer can help you obtain leave if necessary and get benefits to which you are entitled. Also, your union officer can help protect your job and seniority rights while you are off of work.
  • Seek medical care: It is important that get the proper treatment for your injuries. You are entitled to choose any doctor to provide medical treatment. The railroad may have you examined by a doctor they select: however, the railroad cannot require you to be treated by the company selected doctor.
  • Apply for Sickness Benefits: if you are injured and will be off from work, you may be entitled to to sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.Ask your local union officer or contact our office for the proper forms. The sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board are to help you while you are unable to work, however, these benefits must be paid back out of any settlement or judgment you receive in your case.
  • Keep Accurate Records: It is important that you keep records of the facts surrounding your injury including any witnesses, any expenses you incur, photographs of your injuries, the location of the accident, and names and addresses of all doctors who treated you. These records can help when it comes time preparing your case for litigation. The more information you have the better!

Employees can direct any other questions concerning FELA or the new “Whistleblower Law” to UTU Designated Legal Counsel P.Matthew Darby at 800-248-FELA(3352) or

INFORMATION – ACTION

"My friend, it is solidarity of labor we want. We do not want to find fault with each other, but to solidify our forces and say to each other, 'We must be together, our masters are joined together and we must do the same thing.'" -Mother Jones

Local Chairman Bill Conrad (340-C) 814-937-9114

Local Chairman Mike Savage (340-D) 724-366-7346

Local Chairman Lee Hodge (340-A) 724-322-5098