Article – X

ARTICLE X IMPLEMENTATION

    1. Prior to implementation date the Carrier will bulletin, for a period of ten (10) days, to trainmen working in the territory, the opportunity to select one of the following options: regular assignment, Guaranteed Extra Board, Reserve Board or prior rights (grandfather) to the assignment held on the day bulletins are posted.

NOTE: In order to minimize disruption, at bulletin time, trainmen may claim grandfather rights by notifying all concerned of their intent on a bid form and identifying the assignment working on the day the bulletin is posted. By claiming “grandfather rights”, trainmen are indicating that they wish to remain on their existing assignment. Trainmen claiming “grandfather rights” may not be displaced from their assignment by a senior trainman’s bid but may be forced to must-fill or Extra Board positions should these positions not be filled.

  1. Assignments to positions will be made by seniority preference, except for those trainmen claiming grandfather rights. It is understood all regular must-fill jobs and Guaranteed Extra Board positions must be filled initially by working trainmen as provided by schedule rules. Trainmen holding a blankable position will not be forced to the Reserve Board, but they may be forced to must-fill positions or Extra Boards in accordance with existing schedule rules.
  1. The Carrier will have the right to blank the following positions in accordance with the number of trainmen voluntarily exercising seniority to Reserve Board positions:
    1. blankable brakeman positions for pool freight service;
    2. blankable brakeman/helper positions for local/road switcher/yard jobs.
  1. The Carrier will not reduce the number of positions below the levels established on the effective date of this Agreement as a result of implementation of this Agreement. Trainmen may be furloughed as a result of a subsequent reduction in the number of regular jobs and Extra Board positions.

NOTE: The purpose of this section is to establish that a trainman will not be furloughed as a result of the implementation of this Agreement. Trainmen assigned to the territory, as of the effective date of this Agreement will have a position. Siibsequent to the implementation of this Agreement, trainmen may be furloughed through the normal fluctuations of business; the same as at present.

Q. What optibns are available to trainmen if there are subsequent reductions in positions?
A. Exercise of seniority as at present.

Q. What options are available to trainmen who cannot hold a must-fill position, the Guaranteed Extra Board or a Reserve Board as a result of a subsequent reduction in the number of regular jobs?
A. The employee goes furloughed in the same manner as he/she would before this Agreement.

Q. At implementation, will additional Guaranteed Extra Board positions be established if there are not enough regular jobs and Guaranteed Extra Board positions for all non-protected employees?

– 24 – AG4/18

A. Yes. Sufficient Guaranteed Extra Board positions will be established. However, the total number of Guaranteed Extra Board positions will be subject to the 120 day review (Article IV, 4 (e) and the additional positions created solely for non-protected trainmen will not create additional Reserve Board spots as they have already been counted towards the Reserve Board.

Q. May a South End trainman, protected under the basic crew consist agreement, exercise seniority to a blankable position?
A. Just like any other protected trainman, in that the South End trainman may exercise seniority to a blankable position, seniority permitting, so long as there is no vacant must-fill or Guaranteed Extra Board positions available.