2025 MOW Spending Report: Passenger-rail programs
Gardner steps down as Amtrak CEO
Guest comment: Oliver Wyman’s David Hunt
Women of Influence in Rail eBook
Newsletter Sign Up
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
railPrime
RAIL EMPLOYMENT & NOTICES
Rail News Home
Labor
Rail News: Labor
Norfolk Southern Railway transportation and labor relations officials continue to work with general chairmen from two rail labor unions to improve work-rest policies for train and engine-service (T&E) employees, according to NS’ March newsletter.
In 1999, NS officials formed a work-rest committee with Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and United Transportation Union representatives. During the past six years, the committee has developed and implemented a number of initiatives, including assigned rest days, additional undisturbed home rest, improved lodging and more reliable taxi services.
More recently, the committee restructured several traditional “first-in, first-out” pool operations so NS managers can assign jobs with specific starting times and eliminate phoned-in work orders.
“With the Thoroughbred Operating Plan, we have an opportunity to create a lot of assignments where employees can show up for work at a specific time with no more sitting by the phone waiting for a call,” said Bob Bartle, NS general manager-Northern Region.
Committee members also are testing a starting time change from midnight to between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. so T&E workers can get another night’s sleep following rest days.
“It’s vitally important to safety and service that our T&E employees have adequate rest … especially with the significant increases in all lines of business,” said Wayne Mason, NS general manager-Eastern Region.
3/21/2005
Rail News: Labor
NS/union committee continues to seek best work-rest solutions
advertisement
Norfolk Southern Railway transportation and labor relations officials continue to work with general chairmen from two rail labor unions to improve work-rest policies for train and engine-service (T&E) employees, according to NS’ March newsletter.
In 1999, NS officials formed a work-rest committee with Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and United Transportation Union representatives. During the past six years, the committee has developed and implemented a number of initiatives, including assigned rest days, additional undisturbed home rest, improved lodging and more reliable taxi services.
More recently, the committee restructured several traditional “first-in, first-out” pool operations so NS managers can assign jobs with specific starting times and eliminate phoned-in work orders.
“With the Thoroughbred Operating Plan, we have an opportunity to create a lot of assignments where employees can show up for work at a specific time with no more sitting by the phone waiting for a call,” said Bob Bartle, NS general manager-Northern Region.
Committee members also are testing a starting time change from midnight to between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. so T&E workers can get another night’s sleep following rest days.
“It’s vitally important to safety and service that our T&E employees have adequate rest … especially with the significant increases in all lines of business,” said Wayne Mason, NS general manager-Eastern Region.
