See below and be forewarned. Craig Carstenson (BLET Local Chairman, Roseville ) and I talked on the phone just a couple of days ago after he had a marathon session of six back to back investigations in three days. We talked again this afternoon at the yard office. Firemen were targeted first and will be followed by the other operating crafts. These visiting prosecutors learned from the first round of absenteeism arbitration awards where the unions beat them to a pulp. They did their homework. There will be no shoot-from-the-hip Shudak style investigations/discipline. The new approach is deliberate, planned, methodical and thorough. Craig has put a lot of thought into the message to his members that he shared with us. See below and be forewarned.

 

/dms

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: N.C. Carstenson

To: Ken L. Rogers ; Daryl Stinchfield

Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2006 10:07 AM

Subject: Fw: ALERT! ATTENDANCE

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: N.C. Carstenson

Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2006 10:04 AM

Subject: ALERT! ATTENDANCE

 

 

 

Brothers and Sisters,

 

The carrier has suddenly gotten very serious about their Attendance Policy and has employed a number of "hired guns" to monitor and hold investigations for the local Service Units across the system. Last week I had five attendance investigations and a promise that there were literally hundreds more in the waiting position. I was given notice for six more attendance investigations scheduled for this week.

 

My initial observations are that they have learned a few things since the last absenteeism push. This team is well prepared and competent. They are very unlike the Shudak / Wilbourn era of investigations (bang, you're dead) and it would appear that they are in for a slow and long run rather than fire a few employees and move on. There are no surprises and nothing that smacks of dishonesty or other irregularities. They come prepared with the facts (according to the U.P. Attendance Policy) and the usual U.P. data to support their position. This new direction regarding attendance has come from Omaha and it is not being handled locally. I certainly do NOT concur with their position but I want to give you a clear understanding of the problem at hand. The U.P. Railroad has made this a high priority issue across the system and we all need to understand that this an extremely serious matter regarding continued employment with the Union Pacific Railroad.  

 

What can we do? If you or someone in your family can qualify for FMLA - DO IT NOW! Call Nora @789-6013 and ask for the paperwork to be sent to you.

 

Become familiar with Roseville Superintendents Bulletin # 5 which makes no sense at all but what I believe that it means after five hearings is that they are (currently) looking at weekend and holiday layoffs. I would not be surprised to see the focus change as they start to tighten the screw down. Remember that this Policy applies to ALL crafts and the carrier has made it clear that they intend to stay in the Roseville Service Unit until the issue is resolved in their minds.  

 

Be smart about when and how you lay off. Remember that a weekend in the carrier eyes is Friday, Saturday and Sunday or ANY PART THEREOF. 

Don't layoff at 2300 on Sunday when you can wait an hour until the next calendar day. Don't layoff personal when you are sick or sick when you have family issues. These particular scenarios have a way of surfacing in an investigation and could result in a dishonesty charge.

 

Keep a log or calendar for any and all events regarding your sickness, family sickness, personal issues or other issues that affect your work availability and be prepared to share those events.

 

Talk to your supervisor regarding events in your life that are or may affect your work attendance and enter these detailed and specific conversations in your log or calendar book. Tell your supervisor to make a note in his calendar book as well.

 

Documentation . Keep all medical receipts or insurance receipts for you or your family and be prepared to provide to the carrier if asked. Other documentation such as accidents, floods, parent issues, moving, child custody or any other situation that may affect your work attendance should be retained. Once again talk to your supervisor and enter in your log book or calendar. Document everything that affects your work. 

 

In summary, the U.P. Attendance Policy is simple and deadly. Three attendance "strikes" in a three year period and you are unemployed.  Be smart,  be careful and try to incorporate as many of the above suggestions as possible to your personal situation. The U.P. playground is full of very sharp objects and this Attendance Policy proof of that. Don't get caught on this playground.

 

NC Carstenson    

Local Chairman/Vice General Chairman

Division 415

Roseville , CA    

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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