UTU/CSXT/FRA Joint Safety Project

June 5, 1998

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We all share the same ultimate goal each time you go to work – zero injuries. Your safety, and the safety of everyone who works on the railroad, is our top priority.

For the first time in memory, the members of the United Transportation Union have a real opportunity to make the railroads safer than they have ever been before. Our new partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and CSXT to create a joint safety program guarantees that we will have a strong say about the workplace. It is our best chance to date to reach our dream of having all workers return home in the same condition in which they came to work.

In order to make the UTU/CSXT/FRA Joint Safety Project effective, however, we need your support and involvement. We need you to become involved in the local safety committees that are being created to ensure that progress is being made toward a safer workplace. And we need you to proactively champion safety on CSXT and to offer solid solutions to problems you may see or encounter.

We must be the leaders in this safety partnership with the FRA and CSXT. We must look after each other and encourage involvement among all of our brothers and sisters. This new joint safety project guarantees a strong voice for UTU members and seeks real-world solutions.

I urge all of you to support and participate in the best chance we have had in many years to improve the safety and working condition on CSXT. Together we can rewrite rail history by showing how a strong and effective union can do what’s right for its members and the rail industry. Your safety, and the safety of the American public, deserves we all do our best.

Fraternally yours,

Charles L. Little
International President

UTU/CSXT/FRA
JOINT SAFETY PROJECT

Overall Goal: To improve the safety and welfare of UTU members as well as all employees working on CSXT, with the ultimate goal of having all workers return home in the same condition in which they came to work – "0" INJURIES.

Approach: To set guidelines for the formation and administration of local safety committees that will insure progress toward a safer working environment, improved safety communications, and fairness in participation.

It is recognized that some locations have already made significant progress toward the overall goal by using this approach. This Safety Project hopes to capitalize on these "best practices" to enhance ongoing efforts and grow new efforts in the zeal to achieve the ultimate goal. As the pilot expands to other locations and working agreement areas, it is recognized these guidelines can be enhanced.

Overall Guidelines:

UTU local chairmen, legislative representatives, and the manager of the operating unit will jointly determine the location of safety committees based on how participation and communication to the work force can best be served.

The number of regular members and alternate should be based on size and complexity of the operation.

The method of selection of members and alternates will be the election process as determined by the local chairman and legislative representatives to insure fairness of participation, qualifications, etc.

The term of membership should be defined (usually not more than one year) to insure that fresh ideas and enthusiasm are continually improving the program. When elected, a member may serve multiple terms. Provisions should be made for a brief overlap of terms to aid familiarization and training of any new oncoming members.

Local UTU safety committees should designate one of their own to participate in monthly overlapping safety committee meetings at CSXT expense. The local chairman and the legislative representative will also be invited to attend at CSXT expense.

Participation by UTU safety committee members in any activity that encroaches on another craft’s contractual right to perform that task is prohibited. Contractual issues will be handled apart from safety.

Lost time by a UTU safety committee member from their regular assignment will be compensated at a fixed daily rate subject to regular review to assure fairness. Activities should be planned to fully utilize time away from regular assignments.

Preference should be given to scheduling regular safety meetings and activities in the middle of the week.

Roles and responsibilities of UTU safety committee members should be well defined to insure understanding and lessen communication gaps. Safety Project job descriptions outline these areas.

A Safety Project oversight group consisting of UTU, FRA, and CSXT leaders will review the project periodically and in the spirit of trust and open communication, resolve issues that arise.

UTU/CSXT/FRA
JOINT SAFETY PROJECT

Safety Committee Roles and Responsibilities

Job Title: Local Manager

Job Roles: To create an environment within his/her responsibility area that will encourage employees to communicate openly and objectively about safety, to demonstrate a sense of urgency by prompt follow up of safety concerns, and to lead safety by example.

Job Responsibilities: Interact with the local UTU safety committee to receive safety issues and concerns and assign responsibility for follow up.

Provide necessary resources to the local safety committee members to help them carry out their responsibilities.

Manage safety using the Fourteen Commandments for Managerial Success.

Pass up issues needing follow up from managers outside of responsibility area and track response to assure prompt implementation.

Provide training to workers to help them improve job procedures and enhance rules compliance.

Demonstrate commitment by visible results of actions.

UTU/CSXT/FRA
JOINT SAFETY PROJECT

Safety Committee Roles and Responsibilities

Job Title: Safety Committee Member

Job Roles: To act on behalf of his/her fellow co-workers to communicate safety issues, to insure safety concerns passed to managers are responded to promptly, to keep UTU leadership informed of progress and issues, and to achieve the overall objectives of the Safety Project.

Job Responsibilities: Encourage co-workers to promptly report safety concerns to the appropriate parties for rapid action.

Insure items of safety concerns reported have been documented with copies to appropriate safety committee members.

Track follow up of assigned actions to insure timely implementation. Pass up any delays in handling to next level for further action.

Pass safety information to co-workers from the CSXT safety overlap process and from UTU safety resources.

Use innovative communication means to pass information including showing videos, providing leaflets, and using techniques best suited for local circumstances.

Perform safety audits of customer sites and CSXT work sites to insure co-workers have a safe place to work.

Encourage others to offer ideas that will improve the general safety situation in the local area.

Help co-workers gain understanding of safe job procedures.

Support training of new employees to help them establish safe work habits.