BLE-T St. Louis Hub

With us being one with Little Rock, I’ve been scanning through the newly issued superintendent bulletins for 2019. They have taken our site specific bulletins and crammed them all into one bulletin. One key bulletin I want to point out is #7 - Securement of Equipment. They most important part is that it specifically states that locomotives handbrakes do not count.

The St. Louis Superintendent bulletins are still in existence, but the Little Rock bulletins now have St. Louis info included in them as well. 

I read through the bulletin and there are a few parts in it pertaining to St. Louis, but the locations that were listed that said only two hand brakes are required are not listed. I highly recommended tying at least two cars down now in the 300 yard, East and West Auxiliary at Dupo, Cotton Belt 4, Airport Siding, and 1-6 Cotton Belt Yard. 

Go back to the ABTH securement rule. Tie down at least two cars, test them, reapply the brakes, secure the locomotives, fill out a securement sheet.

There is a common misconception that another additional release test of the locomotives is required. Securing Unattended Locomotives Rule 32.2.1 Step 6 says to comply with 32.1, which in a nutshell is tie the brakes and test, UNLESS COUPLED TO PREVIOUSLY TEESTED EQUIPMENT. 

Unannounced Yellow Flags

With renewed testing for yellow flags coming, I thought a review would be helpful. There are increased distractions in the cab that require all of us to be alert. PTC, Trip Optimizer, the conductor’s log, fatigue, and personal issues. It is imperative that we all stay focused and alert.

GCOR 5.4.2 outlines display of yellow flags for temporary speed restrictions. Part B outlines the procedure for when you see a yellow flag which you do not have a slow order for.

The first thing to do is start reducing to 10 MPH. You must be down to 10 MPH 2 miles from the yellow flag. Remember, Cab Red Zone until you reduce to 10 MPH.

Once you are 2 miles from the flag, one of two things are going to allow you to resume speed. Notice the word “or”.

If you pass a green flag, when the rear of your train is beyond it, you can resume speed. The green flag must be 2 miles beyond the yellow flag to count. 

If you do not pass a green flag, the other item that will allow you to resume speed has two parts, and you must do both. If the dispatcher informs you that there is no applicable restriction, you cannot resume speed until the rear of your train is 4 miles beyond the yellow flag. Notice the word “and” in this part. If you’ve already gone 4 miles beyond the yellow flag and still have not reached the dispatcher, you cannot resume speed until you do.

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Yellow flag - Be down to 10 MPH two miles from the flag.

Resume Speed - (Rear of Train)

Green Flag (must be two miles beyond yellow flag to count).

OR

4 miles from yellow flag AND dispatcher.

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Hello All,

I've heard from both the Payroll and Tax Departments that they are getting calls about the information related to UP employee's tax refunds.  The refund opportunity is true.  UP sued the IRS and obtained a ruling that our employees were made to pay taxes on certain items, including ratification bonuses, that  the government had no right to collect.  The Court found that because the monies paid out were not "compensation" as the IRS considers it, several employees are entitled to a refund.  
I've attached a copy of the draft packet so that you may see what has been sent to many of your members.  More than 22,000 active employees will benefit from this refund. The instructions are clear and embedded in the information that employees will received today (or later if by U.S. mail). 

Brothers,  

Brothers, 

2019 VACATION REQUEST

DUE BY DECEMBER 1, 2018

If you are working as an Engineer on November 15, 2018 your vacation will be scheduled as an Engineer. You will need to turn in a vacation request to the BLET.

The BLET only accepts vacation request in writing, either email a BLET Local Chairman or use the vacation request form and deposit in a division mailbox. NO REQUEST PLACED INTO CMTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

                                                                        BLETSTLHUB.ORG

Brothers, 

Brothers,

Brothers,