BRS walkout

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2005 22:32:45 -0700
From: "Paul S. Highland" <paul-kim at thegrid.net>
Subject: Fwd Update: Walkout by Norfolk Southern
signalmen ends quickly

Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News:

http://www.pennlive.com/business/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1119000216118470.xml&coll=1

Walkout by railroad signalmen ends quickly

Friday, June 17, 2005
BY TOM DOCHAT Of The Patriot-News 

Signalmen for Norfolk Southern Corp. began and ended a
strike yesterday before most people were out of bed. 

Picket lines were set up at 5:45 a.m. and were ordered
down 30 minutes later after the railroad
company secured an injunction from a federal judge in
Roanoke, Va.  Signalmen install and maintain
signal systems on railroad tracks to direct train
movement. They also install and maintain the
warning systems deployed at highway crossings. 

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen said the brief
work stoppage was a result of the company's use
of outside contractors for work typically performed by
the signalmen. 

Pickets were set up at local Norfolk Southern
facilities in Enola, Rutherford, Lucknow and the
administrative offices along Linglestown Road in Lower
Paxton Twp., said Jim Delozier, Local 105
president. There are about 30 members of the local
union, Delozier said. 

The picketing ceased after the injunction was ordered.


Rudy Husband, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern, said
the early morning injunction was sought "because we
had heard that this type of action was possible this 
morning." He did not elaborate. 

He said the strike is due to the use of contractors
for a project in Georgia. 

Delozier said this type of outside work "is supposed
to be spreading up north here." 

Husband said the union struck at various locations in
22 states.  However, he said, the abbreviated strike
had "no impact on operations," did not stop trains,
and did not affect customers. 

The company is negotiating with the signalmen on
changes to their contract, Husband added. 

-----
TOM DOCHAT: 717-255-8216 or
<mailto:tdochat at patriot-news.com>

©2005 The Patriot-News
© 2005 PennLive.com All Rights Reserved.



June 19, 2005

Hello, Paul:

Would you know what work is being contracted out in
Georgia?  I've wondered whether the code line removal
was ever an issue, but suppose that when an asset is
removed from service it no longer becomes the
responsibility of the unionized work force.

Good morning,

Frank


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