Old Y2k 2000 "Discussion" boards

Year 2000 "General Discussion":

Discussion Board FAQ Ricardo 8/30/00 
Thanks for the web and an idea completed DLH 8/30/00 
Picnic JLC 8/30/00
     Re: Picnic KW Abell 8/30/00
PLB #6003, AWARD #53 JM Icardo 8/30/00
The Need is now DLH 8/30/00
2 crew members needed? DLH 8/30/00
Dental coverage DLH 8/30/00
US and State government contacts JM Icardo 8/30/00
800 Number for HR 4844 DLH 8/30/00
Lost Claims! DLH 8/30/00
Membership DLH 8/30/00
By- Laws of Local 1252 JM Icardo 8/30/00
Voter Registration JM Icardo 8/30/00
Apologies Ricardo 8/31/00
Links - RN Jones - 9/3/00 at 10:50hrs

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Discussion Board FAQ
On the "Discussion" board is where you post general comments or information
about most anything that you would like to discuss. If you have a general comment
to make, click on "Post" to put in a general comment. When finished just click on the
button at the bottom that says "Post Article". Please take note that your posting of a
comment will probably not show up on the web page until after you back Pres the
"refresh button" or the "Reload Button"  on your browser. Once you have "refreshed"
 or "Reloaded" the page, you new comments should show up on the web site.
DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE "REFRESH PAGE" ICON. Posted : 06/14/00    Ricardo

Thanks for the web and an idea completed
I know it has been a difficult journey to get the web site off and running. I do
appreciate it and will enjoy watching it grow. Thanks to the ones who had the
idea and to those who saw it completed. it will take a period of time to get used to,
at least for some. Thanks again for serving and making things better.
DLH  Posted: 06/20/00

Picnic
Just curious. Will there be a UTU-BLE picnic this year? JLC

Re: Picnic
I just read the question on the discussion page of our new web site. The answer
is "YES". The UTU/BLE Family Picnic is in the works. Fred Hass, Dave Pettis and
Myself are laying down the ground work. The Picnic is set for the 23rd of Sept. at
Wonder Valley Ranch. More details to come later. Thanks, Kenny Abell

PLB #6003, AWARD #53
I would like to thank Alan Grosswieller from Bakersfield for bringing this award to
my attention. For those that don't know Alan, he is the yard local chairman from
Bakersfield an is perhaps the most knowledgeable member we have in the valley
when it comes to the yardman's agreements. I would also like to apologize to any
yardmen that didn't get receive a meal period in the past and whom I told to claim
two bean laws. Please remember that I was told by the past general chairman that
this was the proper handling of the situation and that this award was handed down
in April of this year. If you can go back and get your declines it may be possible to
have them amended. Please try to get a copy to me so that
I can try.  JM Icardo  Posted: 8/9/00

The Need is now
The need is now and of the greatest importance. We haven't impressed all of our
membership that this is of the most up most importance to visit, call, write or e-mail
our comments to our Legislators to get on the ball and get this HR 4844 or a similar
version passed now - this year. It hasn't even been introduced into the Senate
side yet. Why are we waiting? Many of you have done it yourself, but what abou
 your family members and friends? The need is now and yesterday. We need to
push our Senators to say something. Will you please spread the Word? Now and
often, until we get the job done, this year!! Don H---  DLH  Posted: 8/13/00

2 crew members needed?
Recently I read about a Bill that was introduced in the CA Assemble to require 2
people in the cab of each Train in CA. Sounds good to me and sounds solid reason.
What do you think? I'm writing to ask support for it and I'm asking you to do the same.
We need to become pro-active about some things. How about it UTU Membership?
THANK YOU.   DLH  Posted: 8/13/00

Dental coverage
Our present Dental Coverage stinks. What do you think about it? We need to have
some changes and where do we start? What direction should we take? Any ideas?
Don H----   DLH  Posted: 8/13/00

US and State government contacts
If you're not sure who your congressman is you can locate them from this web site:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ For state Government you can use this web
site:http://lcweb.loc.gov/global/state/ca-gov.html Almost all have email addresses
and also make a quick phone call while your at it. Joe   JM Icardo  Posted: 8/13/00

800 Number for HR 4844
The use of 1 - 877 - 908 - 6435 has been provided to you for the Toll Free Calling
use to Congress to express your interest and comments of the purposed RR
Retirement Bill. Please call and call often and share this number with others for
their calls also. We need to really let the Senators know we are interested in
getting this Bill introduced and passed this year. Remember 1-877-908-6435 today.
 DLH  Posted: 8/14/00

Lost Claims!
In a letter July 28th, 2000, General Chairman Holden tells the Members of UTU 1252
that the BNSF Ry has been deleting trip tickets from their computer, and when
crew are arriving at their tie-up points, there is no record of the crew working the
train they had worked. He goes on to tell the Membership to check your trip tickets
to see if your ticket has been placed on the pick list and then check your 816's
carefully to see if you are properly paid. If you are not, contact the Local Chairman
and the BNSF Ry Time Keeper. DLH Posted: 8/14/00

Membership
See someone new? Or meet someone you don't know? Please introduce yourself
and ask if they belong to a Local? We need to update and correct our Membership
Lists constantly because of the movement of our Members. Will you please help?
Contact your Local Officers or the Sect for applications, etc.
Thank You!  DLH Posted: 8/14/00

By- Laws of Local 1252
I, for one, would like to see the by-laws for our local posted here on the web site
for educational purposes. Many times in the past questions have arisen about
these by-laws and I am yet to be able to read them. I see no reason why posting
them would jeopardize the local in any way.  JM Icardo Posted: 8/23/00

Voter Registration
I see that on the UTU International web page there is a link to a voter registration
web page. Can't get much simpler than this. I hope everyone gets registered and
votes this time around. Remember, absentee registration takes a lot of the hassle
out of voting. JM Icardo  Posted: 8/25/00 

Links - RN Jones - 9/3/00 at 10:50hrs
Hello Ricardo: what do you think about a link to the bnsf net page?. It seems
handy to go from this page to check the board or such. - Randy

Re: Links - RL PUGH - 9/4/00 at 07:45hrs
Hi there Randy, you got it! You will find the new link to BNSF Crew on the
directory frame of the web site, just under the "Health & Welfare"

Write your letters - JM Icardo - 9/17/00 at 14:39hrs
Senator Feinstein has expressed her support for the Railroad Retirement and
Survivors' Improvement Act of 2000. We really need to contact senato
 Barbara Boxer and get her to commit to this also. Here are here addresses:
Senator Barbara Boxer 2 Senate Hart Office Building Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3553  or E-mail her at: Senator@Boxer.Senate.Gov Or better yet do both!

T-shirts and Hats - Brian Bresnick - 9/18/00  at 09:22hrs
Troy Ginsburg and myself are selling Santa-Fe t shirts and hats. We also have
some new style BNSF t shirts. Currently we are working on some local designs
that we had hoped to have for the picnic. Due to printing problems they wont be
available. As soon as we have them we will let you know. Thanks, Brian

Rail Road Retirement - Brian Bresnick - 9/21/00 at 11:53hrs
A majority of Senators have now signed onto the Rail Road Retirement bill.
This includes Sen. Boxer. As soon as more information is available, it will be posted.

Tentative National Agreement - Brian Bresnick - 9/21/00 at 11:56hrs
The UTU announced today that a tentative agreement has been reached between
the Carrier and the Organization. When more information is available it will be posted,
or you can check the UTU Internationals web site at www.utu.org .

Contract JL Carrier 10/13/00
 To download a pdf copy of the proposed contract go to this web
site: http://www.jaysworks.com/1637 It is a local from up north

Flow Back Dues Paying Member 11/2/00
Roomer has it the UTU passed the flow back. If this is true it really is a sad day
for unionism. This is our own union that is cheaping our seniorty and removing
our protection. My question to all the UTU members is, is this union the one you
what representing you? Please thank about that it could be your job next.

Happy Thanksgiving Don Heffernan 11/20/00
I just wanted to wish all a "Happy Thanksgiving" to you all. Enjoy a drum stick or
what ever part you like the best. I spent several out of time - it will be good to be
home once - although I'm peeling the potatoes for the 60 some who will gather at
our house. Best to all! Don H....

Prescription coverage Randy Jones 12/10/00
Can someone tell me how a member of the "Hospital Assoc." can get prescription
coverage?. Is it available to assoc. members or not? I take a maintenance
prescription and have been paying for it out of my pocket.

   Re: prescription coverage Ricardo 12/12/00
Randy, you should have received your prescription card in the mail some time back.
Please check your old mail from the Assoc., if you can't find it, contact the Assoc.
or contact Joe Icardo with an Email. (See Local Contacts for his email.

Happy Holidays Ricardo 12/17/00
Ho, Ho, Here is wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!
Don't forget that the spirit of this holiday should prevail all year long. Ricardo

Hiring Conductor Trainees Applicant 12/26/00
BNSF is hiring 84 conductor trainees for Northern California. Classes start Jan. 22
with 12 in each class. Is there enough work for these people to work or will they
be furloughed after completing their training?