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March 22, 2004 General Chairman Ray Wallace and the BLET Local Chairmen on the Alabama Division met with Norfolk Southern management in Atlanta to make suggestions on how to improve operations. The first day of meetings was nothing short of a gripe session on our part. We hit on everything we felt was wrong with the manner our Division was being run. On day 2, we got down to business. We decided that the number one problem that needed fixing was Norris Yard. We further narrowed it down to the hump. A lot of our problems can be traced back to inefficient hump operations. In an 8 hour shift, 400 to 500 cars may get humped. Why? One suggestion was to retrain the CROs (car retarder operators). They are the ones who are continually stopping the hump because they don't have the nerve to let the cars go or a they're waiting on CYO to tell them what class track to send a particular car. One reason we are short of employees is because we can't get into the yard. We law. Relief crews are used. Taking 3 or 4 hours after going by the yard board to put off is absolutely unproductive. We're not only wasting crews, we are creating delays to our customers cars. We asked that an additional yard job be put on to handle miscellaneous yard movements. That extra job is in place. The job description will vary. We want it to help with bad order cars, doubling trains, etc. An extra yard van was requested and granted. At times we are having to wait entirely too long for a ride to or from our trains. This should help. We will meet again in May to expand on ways to improve our operations. I anticipate that our May meeting will entail more specific problems we are having across the entire Division. In the meantime, we are asking that you give us your ideas and suggestions on Division problems and ways to resolve them.
Reason number 3 why the BLET on Norfolk Southern is going to pursue a Representation Election is because we go to great lengths to improve your workplace environment. The BLET is continually looking for ways to make your job better. These meetings with upper management are our idea. When we make things happen that enhance rail operations, we all benefit. All that the UTU does is gripe and complain. They do not understand how to get changes made on this railroad that will help its members. But, we do and we will show you with results.
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Send mail to blet73@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: 09/09/04
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