Rule 30. Switchtenders

  1. Yard schedule rules applying to yardmen, with reference to seniority, investigations and other general matters will also apply to switchtenders.
  1. In filling vacancies in position of switchtender, full consideration shall be given to employees disabled in the service when qualified for such work. Disabled employees desiring to be considered in line for such positions will file application with the Superintendent. Extra yardmen will be given preference for extra switchtenders work and will be paid prescribed rates.
  2. Switchtenders in Omaha yard who hold seniority of switchtender and yardmen will be subject to the provisions of Rule 12, Sections (e) and (h).
  3. Switchtenders who have been granted a dual seniority date 6-1-65 as yardman-brakeman in accordance with the agreement dated 5-28-65 are governed by the following:
    1. They will be required to pass necessary physical and rules examinations prior to performing either road or yard service.
    2. They will be required to make sufficient student trips in both road and yard service prior to performing either class of service to qualify, without cost to the company.

      The officers responsible at the locations listed will be the sole judge of whether the switchtender is qualified as a yardman or brakeman. Failure to qualify will automatically forfeit his dual seniority date.

      (Omaha, Laramie, Rawlins, Green River, Kansas City and Denver)

    3. They will within thirty days indicate the road seniority roster on which they desire to be placed.
    4. When there is insufficient switchtender work at any of the locations listed herein to provide regular assignments for all switchtenders, the most senior switchtender may request permission to work in yard service or road service in accordance with his dual seniority date, provided his services are needed. Request will be made in writing to the officer responsible at that location and must be approved by him in writing. If the senior switchtender does not desire yard or road work, the remaining switchtenders may submit similar requests and the most senior switchtender will be given first consideration.
    5. Should a switchtender vacancy, permanent or temporary, occur, the junior switchtender at that location not holding a regular switchtender job will be required to protect it, regardless of the fact that he may be working as a yardman or brakeman, regular or extra. He will be compensated at the switchtender rate of pay while on such vacancy. No allowance will be made for deadheading in connection with filling such vacancies.
    6. If any switchtender covered by this agreement becomes physically disabled and unable to perform service as a yardman or brakeman, he shall automatically forfeit his dual seniority date.
    7. Switchtenders with a dual seniority date as yardman-brakeman may be used to fill temporary vacancies in yard or road service when either of the respective extra boards are exhausted, provided they are furloughed as switchtenders or cannot hold a regular or relief job as a switchtender, and that they indicate in writing to the officer at that location that they desire to be called for such vacancies and are available. They will not be considered as being assigned to the extra board, but the shifts worked will be counted in regulating the extra board.