Potential Strike info
RE: Information Pertaining to National Contract, Honoring Picket Lines, Potential Strike.
To: All Members involved in National Handling.
Greetings All,
We are getting many questions from individuals concerning all aspects of the subject matter listed above,and I am sure many have the same questions. Below is the information that I have as of today.
Since our Tentative Agreement is out for a vote, the earliest we would be capable of striking is September 29th. This does not mean that we will strike on the 29th should the T/A fail ratification. You will need to wait until you are notified that President Stephenson has approved us to exercise self-help.
Should other Organizations Strike prior to September 29th:
1. Our members should honor and not cross the picket lines. If there is only one picket line at a location with more entrances not picketed, consider them all picketed.
2. If you are a newer employee, still in a probation period, you should continue to report for duty, unless management instructs you otherwise.
3. If you are on-duty when a strike occurs, finish your shift and be prepared to be forced to work over. Only leave when you are excused to do so.
4. Just because September 16th arrives and the other Organizations haven’t reached a T/A, doesn’t mean they are on strike. The 16th is simply the first day they are allowed to strike. Continue to work until you see a picket line when you arrive to work or your Local informs you that another organization is striking.
5. Show up for your shift every day as a strike may end suddenly. When the strike ends, the next shift will be expected to report for duty. You may even be called and required to report should a strike end mid-shift.
6. If you are asked to report from home to remote locations where there are no picket lines, resist, tell management you don’t feel safe doing so. If you are ordered to do so, this is a decision that individuals will have to make. Since we aren’t officially on strike at this point,a discipline issue could arise, but not likely.
7. Don’t be surprised if you are required to return company vehicles and/or property prior to September 16th.
8. The Locals will have to police members crossing picket lines and file possible constitutional charges against violators, at the Locals discretion. Your International Rep. will be able to advise more on this issue.
9. Very important: DON’T PARTICIPATE IN THE PICKET OR EVEN STAND NEAR A PICKET LINE!
Other information:
1. As the time nears our potential strike date, the appropriate instructions and information will be relayed to the Locals for distribution amongst the membership.
2. Should we strike, be prepared to lose your insurance should it be prolonged. The Collective Bargaining Agreement isn’t enforceable during a strike or lockout.
3. Be prepared to apply for RRB Unemployment Benefits, it will be the only compensation many members will receive should the strike last longer than the waiting period to apply.
4. In the highly unlikely event the strike is prolonged, don’t be surprised to see the railroads bring in 3rdparty workers, this happens in many strikes. Personally, I’m not sure of the likelihood of this as they can’t hire employees now. I guess they could bring in contractors.
5. Legislation was introduced in Congress yesterday to impose the recommendations of the PEB to any organization who doesn’t accept them to avert a strike or lockout. The legislation is expected to move quickly,so we should know soon whether it will pass. Here is the link to the Article: https://rollcall.com/2022/09/12/lawmakers-to-delve-into-rail-and-farm-freight-as-strike-looms/
This is the information that I have as of now. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, email is the best way to do this: ibewsc16@outlook.com Please don’t use a company email address. Al Russo has informed me that ballots are already in the mail. Please vote and return the ballot quickly as they must be received in Washington DC by September 27th.If you have any questions about what is contained in the T/A, feel free to reach out to me or any of my Staff. On that note, we will give you factual information for you to make an educated vote, we will not debate the T/A with you.THE IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS VOTE!!!
Fraternally,
Jeff Allred General Chairman
System Council 16 -IBEW
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