UTU, NS expect to finalize new Proposed START policy on discipline that promotes trust, cooperation

UTU, NS expect to finalize new START policy
on discipline that promotes trust, cooperation

"This is great. I only wish we could have been the Union to come up with the proposed new policy."-- BLE General Chairperson

Full Details of "Working Draft" of new Proposed UTU/NS START policy

CLEVELAND - All United Transportation Union (UTU) Chairpersons on the Norfolk Southern Railroad will attend a meeting next week in "anticipation of finalizing the carrier's new 'Discipline Policy'," a top UTU NS General Chairperson reported to the International.

Only UTU NS Chairpersons and International Officers will be present at this crucial meeting on October 25 that will hopefully bring NS's "antiquated discipline policy" in-line with those now in operation on CSX and the Union Pacific Railroad.

NS's new START ("System Teamwork and Responsibility Training") policy is designed to foster "trust and cooperation" while providing for safe and efficient service. It is also meant to "provide employees the opportunity to reach their full potential."

In an October 19 letter to the International about the status of the START policy, UTU General Chairperson Delbert G. Strunk, Jr., said that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) "had no input in the process at all."

Strunk said he was advised that "the BLE had an article on their website stating they were in the process of developing a New Discipline Policy and that details will be forthcoming. First, to say I was a little surprised ... about the BLE's statement ... is in itself an understatement. The BLE has no information on this issue because they have not been part of the process to actually develop a new discipline policy. Also, they have no information to pass on because, WE, the UTU have not finalized the details of the policy, and to put it bluntly THEY had NO INPUT at all."

Strunk reported that General Chairman Jim Clark and he met with Norfolk Southern representatives on October 7 in Cleveland. At that time, acting on behalf of the UTU and with the concurrence of Chairpersons Pate King, Dave Benson, Bruce Daniel and Walter Eubanks, they presented NS with a proposed new NS "Discipline Policy" that is similar to the one now in operation on CSX. Another meeting was held on October 14 to further refine the new START policy, and what promises to be the final meeting is scheduled for Monday.

"Brother Clark and I were told during our meeting on the 14th that the Carrier had let a BLE General Chairperson review the document they were to give us prior to our meeting," Strunk said. "The Carrier advised that this BLE General Chairperson's response was, "This is great. I only wish we could have been the Union to come up with the proposed new policy."

In closing, Strunk wrote, "I would like to thank you (President Little) and Assistant President Boyd for your assistance and guidance on this issue. I am certain that NS would not be willing to make the changes in their 'antiquated discipline policy' without your help."

Proposed System Teamwork and Responsibility Training (START) Program