Article VII Radios

Section 1. Reduced Crews. Operable portable radios shall be furnished all members of reduced crews.

Section 2. (a) Yard Service. Portable radios for use of and carried by ground service employes ifi yard service will not exceed three (3) pounds and will be equipped with a suitable holder which will firmly hold the radio close to the body or will be of such size as to permit being placed in coat or trouser pocket.

(b) Road Service. The size and weight of portable radios used by ground service employes in road service will not exceed that presently in use, and portable radios hereafter purchased for use in this class of service will be of the minimum size and weight necessary to insure safe and adequate communication. This is not intended to require the purchase of radios weighing less than three (3) pounds.

(e) Employes will not be held responsible for accidents caused by failure of radio equipment to properly function or the failure to receive a transmission. Employes that are using a radio and a member of the crew fails to receive a transmission and an accident should result, no member of the crew will be disciplined. Carrier will be responsible for maintenance of radios and employes will not be held responsible for failure or malfunction of radio equipment.

Section 3. Channels. Sufficient frequency channels will be utilized to provide safe communication.

• Q-l: If the portable radio fails en route, will the crew continue to its terminal?
  A-l: Yes.
• Q-2: Will the engine radio and/or the caboose radio be classed as the portable radio for the brakeman/yardman and the conductor/foreman on a reduced crew?
  A-2: Kb.
• Q-3: Is it fully understood that no reduced road/yard crew will be operated on any seniority district unless all members of the crew have operable portable radios?
  A-3: Yes.
• Q-4: Is it fully understood that road and yard crews will not be required to start work as a reduced crew if an operable radio is not furnished to all members of the crew, and the crew will not be censured or disciplined in any manner for refusal to do so?
  A-4: Yes.