ARTICLE VIII - NATIONAL WAGE AND RULES PANEL

The parties mutually recognize that the National Wage and Rules Panel has provided a non-confrontational setting and meaningful opportunity to obtain and share information, analyze problems and develop options to deal with issues of common concern. Continuation of the Panel's efforts will, in the parties' judgment, continue to build trust, avert conflict and improve administration of their labor agreements.

Section 1 - Continuation of Panel

The National Wage and Rules Panel established pursuant to the Award of Arbitration Board No. 559, Appendix D, Document A, Article XIII, shall continue as provided therein, except as otherwise specified in this Article.

Section 2 - Amendments to Article XIII

(a) Article XIII, Section 1 is amended to read as follows:

"(a) The parties, realizing the complexities of the changing rail industry and environment, and to alleviate any adversarial relationships emanating from such, agree to establish a non-binding joint review Panel to study and examine those unresolved subjects.

The National Wage and Rules Panel (Panel) shall consist of three (3) members representing the United Transportation Union and three (3) members representing the carriers. The President of UTU and the Chairman of the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) shall be ex officio members of the Panel.

(b) The parties will assume the compensation and expenses of their respective members. Any incidental expenses incurred in connection with Panel meetings shall be shared equally by the parties."

(b) The list of subjects set forth in Article XIII, Section 2 is amended to add the following issues, and the parties hereby commit to use their best efforts to resolve such matters:

  • employee protective arrangements

  • access to employee medical information

  • employee availability

  • vacation scheduling

  • daily mark up (preference) rules in yard service

  • national training agreements

  • yard conditions related to Remote Control Technology

(c) Article XIII, Section 4(a) is amended to read as follows:

"While the Panel's recommendations shall not be considered final and binding, the parties shall exert good faith efforts to utilize those recommendations as a basis for settlement of the issues involved. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Panel may be dissolved at any time by majority vote of the members."