Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-21

X CreW consist. ROAD ano
J yard train service crews
: generally consist Of one con-
ductor and two brakemen. The
carriers proposed q national
rule to gain the unrestricted
right" to determine appropri-
I ate crew consists; the brother
| hoods sought a national rule
establishing one conductor and
two brakemen as q minimum
crew in all instances.
The presidential railroad
commission concluded that a
national rule establishing a
procedure for determining I'M
dermanning or overmanning of
train crews was justified.
The emergency board recon-
mended the negotiation of ma
tional guidelines based upon
safety, efficiency, and avoid
ance Of undue burden, with
any disputes concerning the
application Of these guidelines
to be resolved by local bar
gaining and a special referee
procedure.
On the question Of the crew
consist, developments since the
report of the emergency board
have narrowed considerably the
area of disagreement. Based
upon a proposal made by the
Secretary of Labor on June 10,
both parties have agreed in
principle to a procedure for
handling the problem.
However, the brotherhoods
proposed to limit its applica-
ton to crew consist situations
which deviate from the gen.
orally prevailing pattern Of
one conductor and two brake
men. The carriers indicated
that the brotherhoods' modifi-
cation would be acceptable if it
did not apply to certain classes
Of service; they referred spe-
officially to branch lines, Sec
ondary main lines, and main
lines equipped with newly-de-
veloped or automated control
equipment. The carriers &C
cepted, but the brotherhoods
rejected, the July 5. 1868, pro-
posal of the Secretary Of Labor
that the remaining differences
be submitted to arbitration.
3. Manning Of motor cars and
self-propeIIed vehicles. Motor
cars and self-propelled vehicles
are used in a variety Of MAIN
tenance, repair. construction
and inspection operations. The
commission and the emergency
board recommended that the
parties negotiate a rule which
would eliminate with certain
exceptions) existing rules which
require the use of engine, train
or yard service employees on, or
in connection with, the opera
ton Of motor cars and self
propelled vehicles used in MAIN
tenance, repair, construction or
inspection work. Indications are
that this matter may be settled
If other issues are resolved.
4. Interdivisi0naI runs. Inter-
divisional runs extend over ter
ritories where more than one
group Of employees hold senior
ity rights. The carries seek the
unrestricted right to establish
such runs and to effect the
necessary related changes with
provisions for an equitable
distribution of earnings oppor-
tunities between affected en-
ployes and the negotiation of
protective conditions.
The commission recommend
ed that the carriers be given the
right, subject to a number of
conditions designed to protect |
the interests of the employees,
to institute interdivisional runs, |
and the emergency board rec
commended the negotiation Of |
guidelines within which the
carriers would have the right to
establish such runs. Recent
discussions indicate that agree
ment may be reached once the
manning issues (firemen and
crew consist and the compen-
sation issues are resolved.
5. Combination of road and
yard work. Over the years a !
"jurisdictional" distinction has
developed with respect to the
work to which road service and |
yard service crews are entitled. |
Three problems have been
posed by this distinction: Ex-
tending switching limits, road
crews performing work in
yards, and the disseminating of |
yard engine assignments.
The carriers sought the elm
nation Of restrictions affect
ing their operations in each
Of these areas. The brother
hoods maintained that any
further combination of road
and yard service should be pro-
hibited unless sanctioned by
local agreement.
The commission found that
present agreements concerning
extending switching limits -
agreements providing for ar
bitration-were working salts
factorily and should not be
disturbed. However, 1t recon-
that even where yard
crews are on duty road crews
should be permitted. subject to
specific conditions to prevent
abuse, to perform certain
movement and switching oper-
atoms In yards in connection
with their own train.
The commission recommended
that when a shift had less than
four hours Of yard engine as
Signment work for 10 consecu-
tive days, 1t might be discon-
tinued, but that 1t must be
restored according to the same
formula.
The emergency board recon-
mended the negotiation OF a
rule which would permit more
flexible use OF road and yard
crews hut which would nre-