(1)(a) Prior to December 1, 1988, the Carrier shall bulletin to employees under this Agreement the opportunity to select one of the following options: regular job, Guaranteed Extra Board or Reserve Board.

(b) Assignments to positions shall be made by seniority preference. It is understood all regular must-fill jobs and Guaranteed Extra Board positions must be filled initially by working employees as provided by schedule rules.

(c) The Carrier shall have the right to blank one second brakeman/helper assignment ' for each regular-assigned (not including extra board) employee selecting the Reserve Board option. As the Reserve Board(s) are attrited, crew consist requirements shall be governed by Article I of this Agreement.

(2) The carrier will not reduce the number of positions below the June 1, 1988 levels as a result of implementation of this agreement. Employees may be furloughed as a result of a subsequent reduction in the number of regular jobs and Guaranteed Extra Board positions except as provided in Article III, Section 5(b).

(3) The total number assigned to the "Guaranteed Extra Board" will be determined and agreed upon by the Director of Labor Relations and the General Chairman.