The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-16
RAILROAD NEWS.
Rock Island Brakemen Secure
Advantages.
Company Enters Into a New
Agreement.
SENIORITY TO RULE.
Priority of Service win Govern
Choice of Runs.
Agreement Contains a Revised
Schedule of Pay.
SENIORITY TO RULE.

Officers OF the Rock Island company
and brakemen employed on that system
have signed a new agreement regarding
wages and rules to govern dismissals.
grievances and promotions, though this
company does not recognize the Order OF
Railway Trafnmen. or brakemen, or any
other order of employees.
The agreement covers every point in
connection with the service. It starts with
the statement that Priority OF service as
brakeman shall govern hereafter in all
choice Of runs, merit being equal, merit TO
be determined by the trainmaster or as
sfstant superintendent"
Article IS probably the most important
to the men. as it bears on the subject of
suspension and dismissal On this point
both parties agree
That any brakeman who deems that an
injustice has been done him shall, within
ten days, make written statement OF the
facts in the premises to the trainmaSter
or assistant superintendent He may at
the same time designate as his represent
alive any other brakeman in the employ
Of the company on the same division, and
the DIVISION superintendent, with the
tratnmasCer or assistant superintendent,
and the person aggreved. with his desig-
mated representative snail investigate the
case If their decision IS not satisfactory
the brakeman shall have the right of fur
Their appeals TO the officer next higher IN
rank, and from him. in proper order, to
the general manager.
When practicable, such investigation
Of receipt Of the brakeman's statement Of
grievance, and, if the charges are not sus-
One-half time for all lost time No atten-
ton shall be paid TO any grievance unless
presented within sixty days of the date
of its alleged occurrence
1T IS understood that nothing in this
article viii apply to cases OF brakemen
dismissed for incompetence or violation Of
other rules of the company
NO action shall be taken detrimental TO
a brakeman's interest, unless based on
written reports Drl-kauan'E IN
service shall be determined by the date Of
his examination certificate. When a.
brakeman leaves the service Of the COM
pany he shall be given a letter signed and
stamped by the division superintendent,
which shall show time of service, in what
capacity employed and cause of leaving
service this letter to be given within a
reasonable time after the brakeman has
signed the original letter"
Regarding what shall constitute a day s
work. and time to be allowed while at
tending to business for the company, the
agreement stipulates:
The time Of freight brakemen shall be
computed on the basis of 100 miles or less
for a DAYS work and all time made By
them on the road between terminal points
IN excess of ten miles per hour shall be
overtime. No brakeman shall be required
to continue on duty when he reasonably
needs rest but in extreme cases the
brakeueu. on their part Will do all IN
their power to assist the company
when required by the company to at
/ tend court they shall be paid at the rate
Of 3 per day Of twenty-four hours and
Z their necessary expenses during attend
I anCe- also Tor All time LOST While ait
ing the e0mpany's orders, and for such
time as they may lose while waiting to
| take their trains
When extra brakemen are called TO at
J tend court they shall be placed. after re-
! lease from such service. where they would
/ have been if not absent on court busl-
Article Il IS devoted to the schedule of
| pay, as follows:
FREIGHT BRAKESIEN-
Overtime,
Per mile. per hour.
Local ...-.......-.-..----2-1 10 cents ~ cents
( Through ----.---.--------2 cents y cents
PASSENGER BRAKEMEN.
Basis of miles
Per month per month
| Through express, main
line ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5000 4,UuV 20 b,2ll
/ Local and dummy runs 00.Vu ZlbOV 70 4suUt
| Short and branch runs.
passenger or mixed 4l-7o 2-5-O OF less
! WORK TRAIN BRAkEMEN-
Per month. including working days only
/ $3.50. Overtime at prOpOruOnate rates
/ Twelve hours or less to constitute one
day -
| SIGNED BY OFFICIALS
| The new agreement is signed for the
| company by A J. Hit general super1n-
/ tendent and ". N Hobbs. superintend-
! ent of the lines east of the Missouri river
l w H. Sduweil. superintendent OF the
I lines west of the Missouri river. and ap-
/ proved by H A Parker, first vice presi-
! dent and general manager, and for the
| brakemeu by c. z. Sexton, chairman Of
I he noe, committee