BLE
March
6, 1975
AGREEMENT
DATED
MARCH 6, 1975
between
railroads represented by the
NATIONAL
CARRIERS ' CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
and
employees
of such railroads represented by the
BROTHERHOOD
OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS
A G R
E E M E N T
THIS AGREEMENT, made this 6th day of March,
1975, by and between the participating carriers listed in Exhibit A, attached
hereto and made a part hereof, and represented by the National Carriers'
Conference Committee, and the employees of such carriers shown thereon and
represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, witnesseth:
IT IS HEREBY AGREED:
ARTICLE
I - GENERAL WAGE INCREASES
Section 1 - First General Wage Increase
(a) Effective
January 1, 1975, all standard basic daily and mileage rates of pay of employees
represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in effect on December
31, 1974 shall be increased by an amount equal to 10 percent.
(b)
In computing the percentage increases under paragraph (a) above, 10 percent
shall be applied to the standard basic daily rates of pay, and 10 percent shall
be applied to the standard mileage rates of pay, respectively, applicable in
the following weight-on-drivers brackets, and the amounts so produced shall be
added to each standard basic daily or mileage rate of pay:
Passenger
- 600,000 and less than 650,000 pounds
Freight
- 950,000 and less than 1,000,000 pounds (through freight rates)
Yard
Engineers - Less than 500,000 pounds
Yard
Firemen - 250,000 and less than 300,000 pounds (separate computations covering
five day rates and other than five-day rates)
(c)
Effective January 1, 1975 and prior to the application of the general wage
increase under paragraph (a) of this Section 1, the standard 5-day yard rates
of pay for firemen (helpers), hostlers and hostler helpers shall be adjusted to
the respective rates set forth in Appendix 1, which is a part of this
Agreement.
(d)
The standard basic daily and mileage rates of pay produced by application of
the increases provided for in this Section 1 are set forth in Appendix 1A,
which is a part of this Agreement.
Section 2 - Second General Wage Increase
Effective October 1, 1975, all standard
basic daily and mileage rates of pay of employees represented by the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in effect on September 30, 1975, shall be
increased by an amount equal to 5 percent, computed and applied in the same
manner as the first general wage increase provided under Section 1(a) above.
The standard basic daily and mileage rates of pay produced by application of
this increase are set forth in Appendix 2, which is a part of this Agreement.
Section 3 - Third General Wage Increase
Effective April 1, 1976, all standard basic
daily and mileage rates of pay of employees represented by the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers in effect on March 31, 1976, shall be increased by an
amount equal to 3 percent, computed and applied in the same manner as the first
general wage increase provided under Section 1(a) above. The amount of any
cost-of-living allowance which may be in effect will not be included with basic
rates in computing the amount of this increase. The standard basic daily and
mileage rates of pay produced by application of this increase are set forth in
Appendix 3, which is a part of this Agreement.
Section 4 - Fourth General Wage Increase
Effective July 1, 1977, all standard basic
daily and mileage rates of pay of employees represented by the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers in effect on June 30, 1977 shall be increased by an amount
equal to 4 percent, computed and applied in the same manner as the first
general wage increase provided under Section 1(a) above. The amount of any
cost-of-living allowance which may remain in effect after a portion of the
allowance has been incorporated into basic rates pursuant to Article II,
Section 1(d), will not be included with basic rates in computing the amount of
this increase. The standard basic daily and mileage rates of pay produced by
application of this increase will be published as soon as the amount to be
incorporated into basic rates effective June 30, 1977, referred to above, is
known.
Section 5 - Application of Wage Increases
(a) All arbitraries, miscellaneous rates or
special allowances, based upon mileage, hourly or daily rates of pay, as
provided in the schedules or wage agreements, shall be increased commensurately
with the wage increases provided for in this Article I.
(b) In determining new hourly rates,
fractions of a cent will be disposed of by applying the next higher quarter of
a cent.
(c) Daily earnings minima shall be increased
by the amount of the respective daily increases.
(d) Existing money differentials above
existing standard daily rates shall be maintained.
(e) In local freight service, the same
differential in excess of through freight rates shall be maintained.
(f) The differential of $4.00 per basic day
in freight and yard service, and 4 cents per mile for miles in excess of 100 in
freight service, will be maintained for engineers working without firemen on
locomotives on which under the former National Diesel Agreement of 1950 firemen
would have been required. Such differential will continue to be applied in the
same manner as the local freight differential.
(g) In computing the increased rates of pay
effective January 1, 1975 under Section 1 for firemen employed in local freight
service, or on road switchers, roustabout runs, mine runs, or in other
miscellaneous service, on runs of 100 miles or less which are therefore paid on
a daily basis without a mileage component, whose rates had been increased by
"an additional $.40" effective July 1, 1968, 10 percent of the daily
rates exclusive of the local freight differential and any other money
differential above existing standard daily rates but including the $.40 increase,
in effect for such firemen December 31, 1974 applicable in the
weight-on-drivers bracket 950,000 and less than 1,000,000 pounds shall be added
to each applicable weight-on-drivers daily rate of pay. The same procedure
shall be followed in computing the increases of 5 percent effective October 1,
1975, 3 percent effective April 1, 1976, and 4 percent effective July 1, 1977.
The rates produced by application of the standard local freight differential
and the above-referred-to special increase of "an additional $.40" to
standard basic through freight rates of pay are set forth in Appendixes 1, 2
and 3.
(h) Other than standard rates:
(i) Existing basic daily and mileage rates
of pay other than standard shall be increased, effective as of the effective
dates specified in Sections 1 through 4 hereof, by the same respective
percentages and amounts as set forth therein, computed and applied in the same
manner as the standard rates were determined; except that the special
adjustment for 5-day yard firemen (helpers), hostlers and hostler helpers
provided in Section 1(c) hereof shall not serve to increase above the rates
shown in Appendix 1 other than standard rates of pay of 5-day yard firemen
(helpers), hostlers and hostler helpers which already include the equivalent of
the adjustment provided in Section 1(c) or some portion thereof.
(ii) The differential of $4.00 per basic day
in freight and yard service, and 4 cents per mile for miles in excess of 100 in
freight service, will be maintained for engineers working without firemen on
locomotives on which under the former National Diesel Agreement of 1950 firemen
would have been required. Such differential will continue to be applied in the
same manner as the local freight differential.
(iii) Daily rates of pay, other than
standard, of firemen employed in local freight service, or on road switchers,
roustabout runs, mine runs, or in other miscellaneous service, on runs of 100
miles or less which are therefore paid on a daily basis without a mileage
component, shall be increased as of the effective dates specified in Sections 1
through 4 hereof, by the same respective percentages as set forth therein,
computed and applied in the same manner as provided n paragraph (g) above.
(i) Wage rates resulting from the increases
provided for in Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Article 1, and in Section 1(d)
of Article II, will not be reduced under Article II.
ARTICLE
II - COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT
Section 1 - Amounts and Effective Dates
of Cost-of-Living Adjustments
(a) Cost-of-living adjustments will be
determined from the "Consumer Price Index - United States city average for
urban wage earners and clerical workers - All Items - "Unadjusted"
(1967 = 100) as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S Department of
Labor, and hereinafter referred to as the BLS Consumer Price Index. The first
cost-of-living adjustment shall be made effective January 1, 1976 based on the
BLS Consumer Price Index for September 1975 as compared with such index for
March 1975. Further cost-of-living adjustments shall be made effective the
first day of each sixth month thereafter based on the BLS Consumer Price
Indexes for the respective months shown in the following table, as provided in
paragraphs (f) and (g):
BLS Consumer Effective Date of
Price Index for Adjustment
September 1975 January 1, 1976
March 1976 July 1, 1976
September 1976 January 1, 1977
March 1977 July 1, 1977
(b) While a cost-of-living allowance is in
effect, such cost-of-living allowance will apply to straight-time, overtime,
vacations, and holidays, and to special allowances and arbitraries, in the same
manner as basic wage adjustments have been applied in the past.
(c) The amount of the cost-of-living
allowance, if any, which will be effective from one adjustment date to the next
may be equal to, or greater or less than, the cost-of-living allowance in
effect in the preceding adjustment period.
(d)
(i) Effective December 31, 1976, 75 percent
of the cost-of-living allowance then payable will be incorporated into basic
rates of pay for all purposes, and the cost-of-living allowance will be reduced
by 75 percent.
(ii) Effective June 30, 1977, the remainder
of the cost-of-living allowance resulting from application of paragraph (d)(i),
less the amount of any downward adjustment in the cost-of-living allowance
effective January 1, 1977 by reason of a decline in the BLS Consumer Price
Index, will be incorporated into basic rates of pay for all purposes, ant the
cost-of-living allowance will be reduced commensurately.
(iii) Effective December 31, 1977, 50
percent of the cost-of-living allowance then payable will be incorporated into
basic rates of pay for all purposes, and the cost-of-living allowance will be
reduced by 50 percent.
(e) The cumulative amount of the
cost-of-living allowance which say be in effect at any time shall not exceed
the maximum amount shown in the following table:
Adjustment Date Maximum Cumulative Allowance
January 1, 1976 12 cent per hour
July 1, 1976 28 cents per hour
January 1, 1977 45 cents per hour, as
adjusted by Note 1.
July 1, 1977 68 cents per hour, as adjusted
by Note 2.
Note 1 - Less 75 percent of the allowance which had been payable as of
December 31, 1976 prior to application of paragraph (d)(i).
Note 2 - Less the entire amount of the allowance payable as of December 31,
1976 which was incorporated into basic rates pursuant to paragraphs (d)(i) and
(d) (ii) .
(f)
(i) The cost-of-living allowance effective
January 1, 1976, July 1, 1976, ant January 1, 1977 will be one cent per hour
for each full four-tenths point by which the BLS Consumer Price Index for the
respective month shown in the first column of paragraph (a) exceeds such index
for March 1975, but will not be more than the maximum amount for the respective
date shown in paragraph (e).
(ii) In determining the cost-of-living
allowance effective January 1, 1977, there will be deducted from the amount
determined under paragraph (f)(i) above 75 percent of the cost-of-living
allowance which had been payable as of December 31, 1976 prior to application
of paragraph (d)(i).
NOTE: As soon as the BLS Consumer Price Index for March 1975 becomes
available, a table will be prepared showing the amount of the cost-of-living
allowance, prior to the December 31, 1976 incorporation into basic rates of 75
percent of the allowance then payable, for each BLS Consumer Price Index
figure.
a.
The
cost-of-living allowance effective July 1, 1977 will be the allowance effective
January 1, 1977, increased by one cent per hour for each full three-tenths
point by which the BLS Consumer Price Index for March 1977 exceeds such Index
for September 1976. If the BLS Consumer Price Index for March 1977 is less than
such index for September 1976, the cost-of-living allowance effective July 1,
1977 will be the allowance effective January 1, 1977, reduced by one cent per
hour for each full three-tenths point by which the BLS Consumer Price Index for
March 1977 is less than such index for September 1976. If the amount of the
cost-of-living allowance which became effective January 1, 1977 was limited by
operation of the 45 cent maximum in paragraph (e) above, the increase or
reduction will be applied to the amount of the cost-of-living allowance which
would have become effective January 1, 1977 in the absence of such 45-cent
maximum. In any event the cost-of-living allowance effective July 1, 1977 will
not be more than 68 cents per hour less the entire amount of the allowance
payable as of December 31, 1976 which was incorporated into basic rates
pursuant to paragraphs (d)(i) and (d)(ii).
NOTE: As soon as the BLS Consumer Price Index for September 1976 becomes
available, a table will be prepared showing the amount of the cost-of-living
allowance for each BLS Consumer Price Index figure.
(h) Continuance of the cost-of-living
adjustment is dependent upon the availability of the official monthly BLS
Consumer Price Index in its present form and calculated on the same basis as
the Index for March 1975, except that, if the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S.
Department of Labor, should during the effective period of this Agreement
revise or change the methods or basic data used in calculating the BLS Consumer
Price Index in such a way as to affect the direct comparability of such revised
or changed index with the index(es) for March 1975 or the index for September
1976, then that Bureau shall be requested to furnish a conversion factor
designed to adjust the revised index to the basis of the indexes for March 1975
and/or September 1976, described in paragraph (a) of this Section 1.
Section 2 - Application of Cost-of-Living
Adjustments
In application of the cost-of-living
adjustments provided for by Section 1 of this Article II, the cost-of-living
allowance will not become part of basic rates of pay except as provided in
Section 1(d). In application of such allowance, each one cent per hour of
cost-of-living allowance will be treated as an increase of 8 cents in the basic
daily rates of pay produced by application of Sections 2, 3 and 4 of Article I
and by Section 1(d) of this Article II. The cost-of-living allowance will
otherwise be applied in keeping with the provisions of Section 5 of Article I.
ARTICLE
III – HOLIDAYS
Section 1.
In 1976, Christmas Eve (the day before
Christmas is observed) will be added to the list of paid holidays for employees
receiving holiday pay.
Section 2.
The National Carriers' Conference Committee,
on behalf of the carriers party to this Agreement, may exercise a national
option prior to January 1, 1976 to substitute Good Friday for the birthday
holiday effective January 1, 1976, for the employees represented by the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
ARTICLE
IV - EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
Commencing June 1975, the carriers will
provide each General Chairman with a list of employees who are hired or
terminated, their home addresses, and Social Security numbers if available,
otherwise the employees identification numbers. This information will be
limited to the employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement of the
respective General Chairmen. The data will be supplied within 30 days after the
month in which the employee is hired or terminated. Where railroads can not
meet the 30-day requirement, the matter will be worked out with the General
Chairman.
ARTICLE
V - HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS
Subject to the Letter of Understanding of
March 6, 1975 (Attachment 1), the benefits now provided under Group Policy
Contract GA-23000 are to be continued during the three-year period commencing
January 1, 1975, the railroads to pay the premium cost offset by such amounts
as may be available from the Special Account. Details of the Agreement covering
the foregoing to be
worked out by the parties by July 1, 1975.
ARTICLE-
VI - NATIONAL DENTAL PLAN
A National Dental Plan will be established
to be effective March 1, 1976 with features as described in Memorandum
Identified as "Description of National Dental Plan" (Attachment 2).
The plan will be established and administered as follows:
(a) The entire cost of the dental plan will
be borne by the railroads.
(b) The railroads and the unions will
jointly invite insurers to submit proposals, and will select the insurer which
submits the most favorable proposal to issue an insurance contract to the
railroads as the policyholder.
(c) The insurer will furnish financial data,
statistical and actuarial reports, and claim experience information to the
unions in the same detail and at the same time that it furnishes such data to
the railroads.
(d) Any dividends or retroactive rate refunds
or credits will be paid into a special fund established for such purpose, to be
held by the insurer. Withdrawals may be made from such fund only to provide
dental care benefits to employees unless otherwise agreed to.
(e) No notices relating to dental benefits
or the financing thereof shall be served prior to January 1, 1977 (not to
become effective before January 1, 1978). If no agreement thereon is reached
prior to January 1, 1978 the railroads parties to this agreement will continue
payments to the insurer of the dental plan at the rates previously established
as the premium rates under such plan until the payment rates are changed or
modified under the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, and the policyholder
railroads will make arrangements to provide such benefits as can be financed
from such payments.
ARTICLE
VII - NATIONAL HEALTH LEGISLATION
In the event that national health
legislation is enacted during the three-year period commencing January 1, 1975,
benefits and payments will be integrated so as to avoid duplication, and any
savings resulting from such integration will be credited to the Special Account
maintained in connection with the health and welfare plan or to the special
fund referred to in Article VI (d), or will be apportioned between such Account
and such fund, according to the source of such savings.
ARTICLE
VIII - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1 - Court Approval
This Agreement is subject to approval of the
courts with respect to participating carriers in the hands of receivers or trustees.*
Section 2 - Effect of this Agreement
a.
The purpose of
this Agreement is to fix the general level of compensation during the period of
the Agreement and is in settlement of the dispute growing out of notices served
upon the carriers listed in Exhibit A by the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers dated on or about September 16, 1974 (Wages) and August 1, 1974
(Health and Welfare).
(b) This Agreement shall be construed as a
separate agreement by and on behalf of each of said carriers and their
employees represented by the organization signatory hereto, and shall remain in
effect through December 31, 1977 ant thereafter until changed or modified in
accordance with the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended.
(c) The parties to this Agreement shall not
serve nor progress prior to January 1, 1977 (not to become effective before
January 1, 1978) any notice or proposal for changing any matter contained in:
(1) this Agreement,
(2) paragraph (a) of Article XIV of the
Agreement of May 13, 1971, except that notices may be served regarding
vacations or holidays so long as they do not relate to length of paid vacations
in excess of the maximum provided in the national agreement, or number of paid
holidays in excess of the maximum provided in the national agreement,
* With respect to the Penn Central
Transportation Company, the power of attorney to the National Carriers'
Conference Committee was conditioned upon the right of the trustees to approve
the agreement, and the trustees have so approved.
(3) except as hereinafter provided in
paragraph (d) of this Section 2, the following items, as to which the parties
will meet on a voluntary basis during the term of this Agreement, and which
they will endeavor to resolve:
Basis of pay - road service
Graduated rates - road & yard service
Arbitraries - road & yard service
Road-yard proposals not disposed of in the
May 13, 1971
Agreement Hostler assignments
Holidays for road service employees Manning
- slave units
Mileage rates for miles over 100 Rates of
pay - short turnaround passenger service
Overtime Guarantees
Shift differential
Sick leave
(4) or regarding bereavement or funeral pay
and any pending notices which propose such matters are hereby withdrawn.
(d) If either party (National Carriers'
Conference Committee or B.L.E. national committee) signatory to this Agreement
decides that the procedure set forth in paragraph (c)(3) of this section should
no longer be continued, the individual carriers in concert or the B.L.E.
committees in concert may after December 31, 1975 serve national (but not
local) Section 6 notices on a matter or matters listed in such paragraph
(c)(3), which notices will be the subject of national handling.
(e) Pending notices properly served under
the Railway Labor Act covering subject matters not specifically dealt with in
Section 2(c) of this Article VIII and which do not request compensation need
not be withdrawn and may be progressed under the provisions of the Railway
Labor Act, as amended. Similarly, new proposals properly served under the
Railway Labor Act covering subject matters not specifically dealt with in
Section 2(c) of this Article VIII and which do not request compensation may be
served and progressed under the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as
amended.
(f) The Standing Committee procedure
established under Article XII of the May 13, 1971 Agreement and continued under
Article III of the April 27, 1973 Agreement is hereby discontinued.
(g) This Article will not debar management
ant committees on individual railroads from agreeing upon any subject of mutual
Interest.
SIGNED AT WASHINGTON, D. C. THIS 6th DAY OF
MARCH, 1975.
FOR THE PARTICIPATING CARRIERS FOR THE
EMPLOYEES
LISTED IN REPRESENTED BY THE
EXHIBIT A: BROTHERHOOD OF
LOCOMOTIVE
ENGINEERS:
William H. Dempsey B.N. Whitmire Chairman
President
SIGNATURES NOT REPRODUCED
SIDE LETTERS TO THE AGREEMENT
March 6, 1975
Mr. Burrell N. Whitmire President
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
1365 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Dear Mr. Whitmire:
As I indicated during our recent discussions
respecting health and welfare and related matters, while the carriers are
prepared to continue the present benefits provided under Group Policy Contract
GA-23000 for a three-year period commencing January 1, 1975, that willingness
is conditioned upon the policyholder labor organizations' agreeing to certain
changes designed to avoid unnecessary expense without affecting the benefits to
the employees or participation of the organizations in the administration of this
program.
The changes are:
1. Agreement by the organizations to
expeditious use of the amounts in the Special Account to offset premium
payments, with the objective of maintaining the necessary balance in the
Account consistent with the assurance of continued Medicare premium payments.
2. Agreement in principle to adoption of a
premium-plus account approach to funding GA-23000, provided that further
thorough exploration confirms the advice given us jointly by Travelers that the
interests of the Policyholder will not be adversely affected.
3. Inclusion of a subrogation provision
similar to that included in the several recent supplemental sickness benefits
agreements.
What we have in mind, as a typical case, is
this:
An employee is injured on duty. He sues the
employer for $10,000, and includes in his claim $1,000 of medical expenses
which have already been paid under GA-23000. If he wins the suit, he should
collect $9,000, not $10,000, for otherwise he would be collecting twice for the
same thing our understanding is that, in light of the terms agreed to by the
carriers, on behalf of your organization you do not object to these changes,
but that you do not purport to speak for any other organizations.
If you concur, would you please sign below.
Yours very truly
William H. Dempsey
I concur.
Burrell N. Whitmire President
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
ATTACHMENT 2
DESCRIPTION
OF NATIONAL DENTAL PLAN
EFFECTIVE DATE - March 1, 1976
ELIGIBILITY
Employee - An employee of a railroad who is
eligible for employee or dependent coverage under GA-23000, provided he has
completed one year of service with the railroad.
Dependent - For other than orthodontia, the
spouse and children of a covered employee, as they are defined in GA-23000
(i.e. unmarried children under age 19, between 19 and 25 if in school, or over
19 if physically or mentally incapacited). For orthodontia, unmarried children
under are 19.
INDIVIDUAL TERMINATION OF INSURANCE
Upon termination of railroad service; i.e.,
no special extensions such as those for furloughed or disabled employees as
provided under GA-23000.
BENEFITS FOR OTHER THAN ORTHODONTIA
What is Payable - The plan pays the
dentist's charges for covered expenses on the following basis:
75% Group A - Preventive and Basic Services
and Emergency Visits
50% Group B - Prosthetic Services, including
Crowns and Gold Restorations
Deductible - $50 per individual for each
calendar year.
Maximum - The maximum benefit for each
calendar year is $500. This maximum applies separately to each insured family
member.
What Dental Expenses are Covered - The plan
covers charges up to those made by most dentists in the area for the services
and supplies described in the following section.
What Dental Services are Covered - The plan covers
the following services and supplies, for which a charge is made by a dentist or
physician, that are required in connection with the dental care and treatment
of any disease or defect. In addition, the plan covers certain preventive
services.
GROUP A - Preventive and Basic Services and
Emergency Visits
1. Oral Examinations and Prophylaxis
Routine oral examination and prophylaxis
(scaling and cleaning of teeth), but not more than once for each covered person
during any period of six (6) consecutive months.
2. Fluoride Treatment
The plan covers a fluoride treatment once
each calendar year for children.
3. Space Maintainers
The plan covers all space maintainers.
4. Emergency Visits
Emergency palliative treatment.
5. X-rays
Dental x-rays, including full mouth x-rays
(but not more than once in any period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months),
supplementary bitewing xrays (but not more than once in any period of six (6)
consecutive months) and such other dental x-rays as are required in connection
with the diagnosis of a specific condition requiring treatment.
6. Extractions
The plan covers all extractions. Allowances
for extraction include routine postoperative care.
7. Oral Surgery
The plan covers all necessary oral surgery.
Allowances include routine postoperative care. -
8. Fillings
The plan covers amalgam, acrylic, synthetic
porcelain and composite fillings that are necessary to restore the structure of
teeth that have been broken down by decay.
9. General Anesthetic
The plan covers a separate charge for
general anesthetic in conjunction with oral surgery ant periodontics.
10. Treatment of Gum Disease
The plan covers necessary periodontic
treatment of the gums and supporting structure of the teeth.
11. Endodontic Treatment
The plan covers endodontic treatment,
including root canal therapy.
12. Drugs
The plan covers charges for injectable
antibiotics administered by a dentist or physician.
13. Repair and Rebasing
Repair or recementing of crowns, inlays,
onlays, bridgework or dentures; or relining or rebasing of dentures more than
six (6) months after the installation of an initial or replacement denture, but
not more than one relining or rebasing in any period of thirty-six (36)
consecutive months. If the plan pays for a new denture it will not also cover
the repair or rebasing of the old denture.
GROUP B - Prosthetic Services
1. Initial Installation
The plan covers initial installation of
fixed bridgework, including inlays and crowns used as abutments, and partial or
full removable dentures (including any adjustments during the six (6) month
period following installation).
2. Replacement of Existing Prosthetic
Appliances
The plan covers replacement of an existing
partial or full removable denture or fixed bridgework by a new denture or by
new bridgework, or the addition of teeth to an existing partial removable
denture or to bridgework, but only if satisfactory evidence is presented that:
(a) The replacement or addition of teeth is
required to replace one or more teeth extracted after the existing denture or
bridgework was installed, or
(b) The existing denture or bridgework
cannot be made serviceable and is more than 5 years old, or
(c) The existing denture is an immediate
temporary denture which cannot be made permanent and replacement by a permanent
denture takes place within twelve (12) months from the date of initial
installation of the immediate temporary denture. When a permanent denture
replaces an immediate temporary denture for which benefits were provided under
this plan, the allowance for both appliances will be limited to the maximum
benefit for a permanent denture.
3. Crowns and Gold Restorations
The plan covers crowns, inlays, onlays and
gold fillings that are necessary to restore the structure of teeth that have
been broken down by decay, provided the tooth cannot be reconstructed by an
amalgam, acrylic, synthetic porcelain or composite filling.
Benefit Determination - The plan covers
treatment performed while insured. Treatment will be considered to have been performed
when the service is actually rendered, except as specified for the following
procedures:
(a) Dentures, Full or Partial - when the
impression is taken for the appliances.
(b) Fixed bridgework, crowns and gold
restorations - when the tooth is first prepared.
(c) Endodontics, including root canal
therapy - when the tooth is opened.
Extended Benefits - For the procedures
listed under Benefit Determination, benefit payments will be made for treatment
performed while insured with respect to services rendered within 30 days
following termination of insurance.
Dental Charges Not Covered - Covered Dental
Expenses do not include and no benefits are payable for:
... Charges for services for which benefits
are otherwise provided under surgical and major medical coverage under Group
Policy Contract GA-23000.
... Charges for treatment by other than a
legally licensed dentist or physician, except that scaling or cleaning of teeth
and topical application of fluoride may be performed by a licensed dental
hygienist if the treatment is rendered under the supervision and guidance of
the dentist.
... Charges for veneers or similar
properties of crowns and pontics placed on or replacing teeth, other than the
ten upper and lower anterior teeth.
... Charges for services or supplies that
are cosmetic in nature, including charges for personalization or
characterization of dentures, specialized techniques, or precision attachments
... Charges for the replacement of a lost,
missing, or stolen prosthetic device.
... Charges for appliances or procedures to
increase vertical dimension or occlusion.
... Charges for orthodontic diagnostic
procedures and treatment, including appliance therapy, surgical therapy and
functional or myofunctional therapy.
... Charges for services or supplies which
are compensable under a Workmen's Compensation or Employer's Liability Law.
… Charges for services rendered through a
medical department, clinic, or similar facility provided or maintained by the
patient's employer.
… Charges for services or supplies for which
no charge is made that the employee is legally obligated to pay or for which no
charge would be made in the absence of dental expense coverage.
… Charges for services or supplies which do
not meet or are not necessary according to accepted standards of dental
practice, including charges for services or supplies which are experimental in
nature.
... Charges for services or supplies
received as a result of dental disease, defect or injury due to an act of war,
declared or undeclared.
... Charges for any services to the extent
for which benefits are payable under any health care program supported in whole
or in part by funds of the federal government or any state or political
subdivision thereof.
... Charges for education or training and
supplies used for personal oral hygiene or dental plaque control, or dietary or
nutritional counseling.
... Charges for implantology.
... Charges for sealants.
... Charges for failure to keep a scheduled
visit with the dentist or hygienist.
... Charges for the completion of any forms.
Optional Treatment - Occasionally, a patient
may select a more expensive procedure rather than a suitable alternate
procedure. In such case, plan benefits will be paid on the basis of a less expensive
procedure that is consistent with good dental care.
Co-ordination of Benefits - If the
individual is eligible to receive dental benefits under another program,
co-ordination of benefits will be applied between the two with respect to
dental charges.
BENEFITS FOR ORTHODONTIA
What Is Payable - The plan pays the
dentist's charge at 50% of covered orthodontic expenses up to a lifetime
maximum amount payable of $500 for each child under 19 years of age.
Covered Orthodontic Treatment - The plan
covers orthodontic treatment that is required to correct malposed teeth, and
which begins while the child is covered by the plan. Treatment consists of
appliance therapy, surgical therapy, functional and myofunctional therapy, and
includes related diagnostic per-procedures, surgery and extractions formed by a
dentist.
Payment Sequence - The sequence of payments
for orthodontic services is determined in the following manner. If the dentist
estimates that active treatment will continue for two or more years, then the
total benefit is divided into eight equal portions. The first portion will be
payable when the orthodontic appliance is installed and subsequent installments
will be payable at 90 day intervals until the maximum has been paid or until
insurance terminates. If the estimated course of treatment is less than two
years, the total charge is divided into portions so as to make payments at 90
day intervals, beginning with the date the appliance is inserted.
Payment Sequence (Cont'd) - Orthodontic
benefits will be payable
While treatment continues provided insurance
remains in force with respect to the individual. Benefits will be payable
provided the individual is covered at the beginning of the 90 day interval.
Orthodontic coverage will terminate at the end of the quarter during which the
child attains his 19th birthday.
If an employee's insurance is terminated and
he subsequently again becomes insured, he will be entitled to any unpaid
remainder of the original payable benefit, as long as active orthodontic
treatment is continued. Such remainder will be payable at 90 day intervals
calculated in accordance with the original payment sequence.
Orthodontic Charges Not Covered - Since it
is contemplated that this plan would be written in conjunction with a plan
covering other dental services, the appropriate exclusions set forth in the
description of such plan would also apply to this plan.
Co-ordination of Benefits - If the
individual is eligible to receive orthodontic benefits under another program, co-ordination
of benefits will be applied between the two with respect to orthodontic
charges.
EXHIBIT A
LIST OF RAILROADS SIGNATORY TO THIS
AGREEMENT -- NOT REPRODUCED HERE
FOR THE CARRIERS: FOR THE BLE:
W.H. Dempsey B.N. Whitmore
Washington. D. C. January 29, 1975
SIDE LETTERS TO THE AGREEMENT
March
6, 1975
Mr. Burrell N. Whitmire President
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
1365 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Dear Mr. Whitmire:
This confirms our understanding that an
engineer who, while working as fireman, had become eligible to count in
qualifying for a vacation prior service rendered for the carrier in a class or
classes of service not covered by the operating employees' Vacation Agreement
of April 29, 1949, may continue to count such prior service while working as
engineer.
If
you concur would you please sign below.
Yours
very truly,
William
H. Dempsey
I concur:
Burrell N. Whitmire
March
6, 1975
Mr. Burrell N. Whitmire President
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
1365 Ontario Street Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Dear Mr. Whitmire:
This is to confirm our understanding that
the provisions of Article VIII, Section 2, of the Agreement of March 6, 1975,
are not applicable to notices seeking to adjust compensation with respect to
compensation
relationships between the engineer and other
members of the crew on a carrier where compensation has been changed for other
members of the crew due to a change in crew consist.
Any organization (BLE) notice pending on the
date of this letter of understanding which relates to the subject matter of
this letter need not be withdrawn and may be progressed pursuant to the
procedures of the Railway Labor Act provided that the General Chairman advises
the carrier in writing that the notice is limited to the subject matter of this
letter and affords the carrier a reasonable opportunity to serve for concurrent
handling counter-proposals which are limited by the provisions of Article VIII,
Section 2, of the Agreement of March 6, 1975.
letter.
Will you please record your confirmation by
signing a copy of this
Yours very truly,
William H. Dempsey CONFIRMED
Burrell N. Whitmire, President
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
1
March 6, 1975
Mr. Burrell N. Whitmire President
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers 1365
Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Dear Mr. Whitmire:
This records our understanding with respect
to Article VIII, Sections 2(c)(1), 2(c)(2) and 2(c)(4) of the Agreement of
March 6, 1975 -- the moratorium provision -- that if the procedures of the
Railway Labor Act are exhausted prior to January 1, 1978, with respect to any
Section 6 Notices of either the organization or the carriers on proposals
covered by the moratorium, self-help will not be available prior to January 1,
1978.
This understanding is not applicable with
respect to matters covered by the provisions in Section 2(c)(3) of the
moratorium. As to such matters the provisions of Section 2(d) will apply and
notices referred to therein served after December 31, 1975 may be progressed
under the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended.
If you concur, would you please sign below.
Yours very truly,
William H. Dempsey
I concur:
Burrell N. Whitmire, President
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers