NO!!! You CAN'T have a day off!     The railroad practically invented the term 'on-call'. Many CSX employees do not have schedules, but are forced into working a 'list'. Most lists are on call 6 days a week, 24 hours a day, and often the employee cannot even choose their day off. It is common to be called to work during an assigned day off.     Unscheduled days off are usually not granted for family or religious obligations. There are many CSX employees who have been unable to attend their childrens' birthday parties, their wedding anniversaries, and even funerals because they were not allowed time off.     We've even heard of people who had to call out sick, to attend their own wedding! We're sure that some of these stories that can top even that one...

Webmaster's note: Since I go through the server logs regularly, I just thought I'd take this opportunity to point out that all of the comments in defense of the company seem to come from Jacksonville, while complaints come from everywhere that the company does business. You do the math.

Name: Southwest airlines
E-mail: 
Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year
Posted: 10 March 2010

Hand scanner? Talk to an aircraft mechanic and get some skydrol. Put it
on your hand then scan. Let the skydrol do its trick.

Name: steve E-mail: hmstoo@hotmail Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 09 March 2010 Hey Skippi! I started with CSX in the 70s and quit in the 90s. Retirement age was changed when Regan was in office. I wasn't eligible for full benefits until I was 66 & 9 months.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Car repair, for 1-10 years Posted: 09 March 2010 anybody figured out how to beat the hand scanner yet???

Name: Freddie Krueger E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 10-20 years Posted: 04 March 2010 One more Spencer to go, then I will really celebrate....

Name: Jesus Nomo E-mail: Employed as: APE, for Less than 1 year Posted: 02 March 2010 LOL! Nomo said this....... Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 22 February 2010 Hey Con 1-10: Lets get one thing straight...first I'm not your buddy. Secondly, at 28 your not old enough to know the difference between shit and shinola. If you've been in furlough status for four years, why would you hang around the crew room and make yourself mad by watching the old heads tally their earning statements? Or better yet, why haven't you taken a transfer...I'm sure they have been offered. Why are the "young guys" suffering to feed their family? Perhaps you can favor all of us by telling us what kind of trucks they drive and how they live. The old heads can drive those trucks because their families are grown and hopefully off their dole, their houses are paid for. Their expenses are less than a young man with a family. Life is full of choices...you can save and invest money now or you can spend it on impressing your friends. Make the wrong choice now and you'll regret it later. Any one under 30 has never seen truly tough times. Times are tough and will get tougher before they get better, sounds like the regrets are starting. By the way, I have a '01 GMC Yukon and a '99 MB ML450 and the money I've saved on notes, insurance and tags will pay for a nice extended family vacation in Europe this summer or buy one of my Grandchildren a P.A.C.T. contract which will pay for their college education. Like I said, it's their money and they can spend it however they want to. If they are suffering however, do you think it might be because of the choices they made? What he failed to add is that he is full of shit and that he was selling his furniture to his step son not that long ago. The step son that still works for railroad.

Name: rel'd women of B'ham E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 02 March 2010 Great news everyone, yeah!!!!!yeah!!!!!!heah!!!!! Danny Spencer has been fired as a CSX officer, the days of fucking with peoples wifes, chickenshit failures, lying to everyone, stepping on toes has finally caught up with old Danny. Too bad he did'nt get fired completely. Would have been nice to have seen his seniority taken away so he could see what it feels like to be on the other end of things for a change. Ever heard of 'Karma' Danny? well you finally got yours.

Name: averagejoe E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 21 February 2010 still furloughed cubby your probalby right about hearing about csx starting to hire again while they have people furloughed. the union does nothing about it though becuase once you are hired you have to join the union or face bieng fired so yes i have said it once and will say it again the union cares for itself as long as they get thier dues they dont care where it comes from csx can hire and furlough as much as they want as long as a certian number of each respective union members are forced to pay dues the unions dont care just like the company as long as they get thiers. people bitch about csx and god knows i do too i dont even work their used to be a dream but i am a very astute young man and after carefull reading i came up with what i just said. as long as the unions get thiers what the hell ever to the members now im not saying do away with the unions im just saying as long as there is enough members in service for the unions to still be profitable there will be no change for the better of the working class men, no strikes, no arguments hell it seems like anymore you feel lucky to have the chance to sacrafice a finger to save a arm so i ask all of you is that the meaning of a union give them a little to sacrafice livelyhood what happens when we run out of fingers then they take the arm and we feel lucky they didnt take the other arm guys there isnt an end im not asking for answers just trying to see if you can see where im coming from im likel the control i look on from the outside read the contracts and weigh the options and the options are as i just stated

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 21 February 2010 With regard to the post by the furloughed cubby concerning the phone calls he made to Jacksonville and the conflicting answers he received. I am assuming he spoke with representatives from the same dept., probably CMC. The answers he got speak volumes to CSX's lack of leadership. The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. This holds true for intradepartmental as well interdepartmental communication and coordination. CSX preaches teamwork but doesn't practice it...lead by example!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 21 February 2010 still furloughed cubby Good Luck. I do believe there was a post on here about those let go while in training. That the UTU agreed to it for the purpose that if you went the distance by completing training CSX could of terminated your employment because you would of been under a 60 day probation period not having union protection. One issue that is VERY IMPORTANT those let go keep in contact with CSX every 6 months with a current phone number an address. The contact information with CSX even applies to those furloughed.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 20 February 2010 Please Read if cut back or flowed back Open enrollment begins November 1 for BLET Short Term Disability plan CLEVELAND, November 2 — Open Enrollment for 2010 under the BLET’s Short Term Disability insurance begins on November 1, 2009, and runs through December 15, 2009. If you are a locomotive engineer working on a railroad that participated in the Wage Rules portion of the national agreement dated December 16, 2003, your coverage under Part A (described below) of the BLET Short Term Disability Plan will automatically continue. Last year, if you opted out of Part B coverage (also described below), then you can opt back in during this enrollment period. If you currently participate and wish to opt out of Part B coverage, you can also do so during this enrollment period. Part A — Non-Occupational Disabilities Effective January 1, 2010, there will be no changes to Part A coverage: • Your eligibility and $40 premium is submitted by the railroad on a monthly basis. • Part A pays $402 per week for non-occupational disabilities only. • Occupational disabilities are not covered. • Each eligible member is insured for $50,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Part B – Occupational Disabilities Effective January 1, 2010 there will be no changes to Part B coverage: • Part B is voluntary. Participation in this additional occupational coverage is not required. • The weekly benefit for occupational disabilities is $402 per week. • Each eligible member is insured for $50,000 of AD&D coverage. • The benefit is not subject to repayment upon receipt of a FELA settlement (no repayment after a personal injury settlement). • The benefit is not considered taxable income. • The cost is $23 per month and will be payroll deducted with your monthly union dues. NOTE: UTU members working as engineers are eligible for Part A and may purchase Part B coverage by making an annual payment of $276 to the BLET Trust Fund. ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** IMPORTANT: • Eligibility for Part B is dependent on your eligibility for Part A. In order to be eligible for Part A, you must have** ****seven starts in a month with one start as an engineer.************ If you are furloughed to train service and become ineligible for Part A coverage, you must notify the Secretary-Treasurer of your local division immediately. At that time, you have three options: 1. Continue coverage of Part A and Part B by paying $40 directly to the BLET Trust Fund by the 10th of the month and continuing payroll deduction of $23 for Part B. Coverage may only be continued for six months under this option. If you choose this option, you will need to contact the Plan Administrator (information below) for additional instructions. 2. Discontinue coverage of Part B temporarily until you return to engineer status and become eligible for Part A. An engineer, who loses Part A coverage due to no fault of his own, may resume coverage for Part B once he returns to engineer status and becomes eligible for Part A. You must keep the Secretary-Treasurer of you local division informed of your status. 3. OPT-OUT of Part B by completing an OPT-OUT form. If you choose to opt-out of Part B, you may only resume coverage during a subsequent annual enrollment period. If you currently do NOT participate and choose to do nothing, you will continue to be only eligible for Part A coverage. • If you currently do NOT participate and would like to sign-up for Part B coverage during this open enrollment period, or if you do currently participate and would like to opt-out of Part B coverage, you must notify the Secretary-Treasurer of your local division by completing and returning the attached form by December 15, 2009. Your election will become effective on January 1, 2010. • Members who OPT-OUT of Part B coverage effective January 1, 2010, will not be eligible to enroll for the coverage until the next annual enrollment period. Anyone with questions can contact Jim Bradford, BLET Short Term Disability Administrator, at (216) 241-2630, ext. 205, or email: Bradford @ble-t.org. A copy of the opt-in/opt-out form is available below: http://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/STD-opt-inout.pdf d if cut-back or flowed-back

Name: still furloughed cubby E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 20 February 2010 everybody on furlough board is called back and yet me and the rest of the cubs have not been called. Called J-ville and lady told me it would be next year and another said any day. Do the folks in j-ville not know what is going on? Rumor also has it they are going to start hiring again which i assure you i would file a lawsuit if i am not called back before then. Wow what a company i walked into. CSX rocks!!!!! yea!!!!!!

Name: moving E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 17 February 2010 i being transfed to baltimore in the next 2 weeks does anyone have any advice, or know anything about baltimore work conditions? PLEASE help ...........

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 17 February 2010 It's Mardi Gras day...time for the coup de grâce! Before we get started a little Dr. John to put us in the mood! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JESFMO1Hl4M Laissez les bons temps rouler...let the goods times roll!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 14 February 2010 PEOPLE HAVE TO START VOTING PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 10 February 2010 hey loco 30+ plus years you are right about the ns contract . CSX wants this bid system bad , if we vote this down they will want to go back to the table . The younger men need to realize the bid system will cut 10% of the work force , so back on the street you go.

Name: me E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 09 February 2010 just got the call to move to baltimore from florida panhandle is b-more working or being sent home ? please let me know i will be moving my wife and five kids to a new place and i need to be working...thanks in advance............

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 09 February 2010 NoMo you are 100% correct.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 09 February 2010 That's right No Mo if u make over your guarantee . Last half I did beat my guarantee but this half I'm not , so if this contact passes and I need off for a emergency I loose my Guarentee. Plus a 6% pay raise over a 5 year period that starts 2012 ; if u get in trouble (not only stayin marked up) you loose your stocks ! We don't even get a bonus until 2013 !!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 09 February 2010 Worry more about your ability to earn. I swear I've never heard more BS about having a life than this new generation. What the heck were you people thinking when you hired on the railroad? DUHHHHHH!!! Didn't they forwarn you in advance at the hiring session that if you want a life walk out the door. That you'll be on call 24/7 that you'll work holidays you'll miss out on family activities ect...They were saying the same thing 32 years ago when I hired out. If you think it's going to change it's not. Once the UTU gets in the bid system it's worse no more floating 48 hours when getting bumped no more taking an extra couple days on vacation you'll already be assigned to a job. The past 3-4 months at the union meetings people were complaining about business being slow people being cut back people being furloughed now that everyone is marked back up business is good their complaining about working to much. Go figure!!

Name: JoshuaRogers E-mail: kayakguy303@yahoo.com Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 08 February 2010 Vote the contract down! If you want a life Vote it DOWN!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 03 February 2010 I went to work for CSX approx 4 years ago.I paid $5000.00 plus room and board for schooling, lost wages for 6 weeks.All in all it cost me $10,000 plus for a job that wasn't worth squat. Quit a job I have been at 15 plus years for what. To be told I will be treated like a person with good pay and benifits! Hah! Laid off twice in the 2 years I was there, couldn't even get railroad unemployment the first year I was there as I wasn't there long enough. Was continually denied valid claims of labor agreements by them, denied my first year vacation pay. Safety was a joke, working two shifts in one day, continually being forced to do things because of producing what they want. I hardly ever called of work but employees that did were taken care of. Intimidated when I spoke up and voiced my rights. If you believe anything they tell you you will be sorry. Worst 2 years of my employment life.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for Less than 1 year Posted: 23 January 2010 I just want to ask a question and get some answers from guys who have worked for CSX as a trainman in regards to those men who were suspended during their on the job training. Is CSX required to call those men back or can they start again with hiring back off the streets, and would it not benefit CSX to come along with a buyout for those employees who are under a protected status and get the majority of those furloughed and suspended back. Does CSX not care about their public image especially when men were suspended during trainning.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 21 January 2010 Name: slim E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 1-10 years Posted: 12 January 2010 How long does the company have to file charges against you for a violation let use an example here ;] attendance polcy if i layed off for a couple weeks then was furloughed can i still be invesgated after being called back or do they only have a certain amount of time to charge me ive allways wondered about this To this CO. You can be Re-called into servisce and be charged with the attendance policy, depending on your Terminial Manager. I know a guy that was charged for a lost radio 5 years after he was issued a replacement .. ALL depends on which shithole you work at .. snd your shithead Trainmaste UNlikely but possible

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 20-30 years Posted: 20 January 2010 CSX Insiders Avenue STOCK ANALYSIS REPORT Analysis by Internal Employees – January 19, 2010 http://www.csx-sucks.com Industry: Railroad Sector: Transportation Recommendation: Sell NEVER BUY Price: NA Target Price: Always Sell Short to make Money 52 Week Low-High: Fundamentals Grade: B Investment Style: RISKY Consider Buying: When Ingram’s Lawsuits are settled several years in the future, a complete wash out of the current Nazi Group and just before another Railroad can take over.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 20 January 2010 Kiss my hairy snow white fat ass..here is a lie in writing! CSX Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2009 Earnings JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan 19, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Highlights: •Fourth quarter EPS from continuing operations of 77 cents •Continued strong safety, service and productivity •Full-year operating ratio of 74.7 percent CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX) today announced fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations of $305 million, or 77 cents a share, versus $361 million, or 92 cents a share, in the same period last year. Fourth quarter revenue of $2.3 billion was 13 percent down from the prior year. This was driven by a 7 percent overall decline in volume as growth in the intermodal and automotive sectors was more than offset by declines in coal and merchandise. In addition, lower fuel prices led to decreased fuel surcharge recovery. Despite these factors, core pricing remained strong, reflecting high service levels and the overall value of freight rail transportation. Total operating expense for the quarter was $1.7 billion, down 12 percent from the prior year. These savings, driven primarily by strong safety, service and productivity, contributed to operating income of $583 million for the quarter. "The economy continued to show modest, sequential improvement in the quarter," said Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "CSX worked aggressively on gaining operating leverage and further strengthening the fundamentals of our business for the future." CSX also announced full year 2009 earnings from continuing operations of $1.14 billion, or $2.87 a share, versus $1.5 billion, or $3.66 a share, for 2008. The company continued to improve its network efficiency and safety in 2009, while reducing full-year operating costs by 20 percent compared to 2008. As a result, CSX posted a record annual operating ratio of 74.7 percent. "In 2009, CSX put forth a decisive and effective response to the challenging economy while simultaneously building for the future," said Ward. "Our performance is a clear demonstration of the resolve of our organization and the talents of our people." CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is a leading transportation company providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. This earnings announcement, as well as a package of detailed financial information, is contained in the CSX Quarterly Financial Report available on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com in the Investors section and on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). CSX executives will conduct a quarterly earnings conference call with the investment community on January 20, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing 888-327-6279 (888-EARN-CSX) and asking for the CSX earnings call. (Callers outside the U.S., dial 773-756-0199). Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call. In conjunction with the call, a live webcast will be accessible and presentation materials will be posted on the company's website at http://investors.csx.com. Following the earnings call, an internet replay of the presentation will be archived on the company website. Forward-looking statements This information and other statements by the company may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to, among other items: projections and estimates of earnings, revenues, cost-savings, expenses, or other financial items; statements of management's plans, strategies and objectives for future operation, and management's expectations as to future performance and operations and the time by which objectives will be achieved; statements concerning proposed new products and services; and statements regarding future economic, industry or market conditions or performance. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "preliminary" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. If the company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be drawn that the company will make additional updates with respect to that statement or any other forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual performance or results could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statements include, among others; (i) the company's success in implementing its financial and operational initiatives; (ii) changes in domestic or international economic or business conditions, including those affecting the rail industry (such as the impact of industry competition, conditions, performance and consolidation); (iii) legislative or regulatory changes; (iv) the inherent business risks associated with safety and security; (v) the outcome of claims and litigation involving or affecting the company; and (vi) natural events such as severe weather conditions or pandemic health crises. Other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are specified in the company's SEC reports, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the company's website at www.csx.com. SOURCE CSX Corporation Site Map

Name: Jsmith E-mail: Employed as: APE, for Less than 1 year Posted: 19 January 2010 I am in the process of writing a book about CSX and there so called safety policy, the harassment and intimidation and all the horror stories of how they have treated employees. If you guys want to share your stories feel free to email me at jsmith14449@yahoo.com. I only want true stories, not hear say or rumors. Need to be factual information. I promise you your name will not be mentioned anywhere,You dont even have to leave your name. If you setup a private email all I ask is that you check it later on to see If I contacted you with any questions. I wonder how much trouble I will get in by writing the book, I really dont care they can sue me if they want I dont have anything to lose, I had to have surgery and a month later they fired me. Please Email with your stories of this stinking company

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 13 January 2010 Obama is a good Man. Going to cover 30 40 or so million folks that have no health care. Now I wonder how healthy these folks are? Have pr existing conditions? most likely, and no income or resources. Yep we get to pay up. Change , You got it. You folks are going to chringe when your health care bill comes.I admit I have a nice one, but it is now 12k per year for 2 people. 15 years ago it was $325.00 per month Now it is $1000.00. No way out, they got me.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Friend or family of employee, for 1-10 years Posted: 12 January 2010 "My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it." Yea, you reckon the UTU will put the little Obama update icon back up on the website after the AFL-CIO gets told "Tough shit" when they pull their pants back up after meeting with God today to discuss taxing the insurance plans?. Gotta love it. If you have a friend that is true to you, screw your friend before he screws you!

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 12 January 2010 Hey Lloyd; The UTU opens negotiations on Feb.10. I hope I'm wrong but when it's all said and done, I would look for big increases in health care premiums, co-pays and deductibles; minuscule pay increases and substantial work rule changes. Of course the carriers will give some but the membership will bear the brunt. As for those furloughed, if the article is right, some of those men will never be recalled...even if the guaranteed extra boards went away the carriers still won't want to pay for health care. It's cheaper to pay overtime than hire extra manpower. Factor in the ongoing mortgage crisis, a pending commercial real estate crisis and the fact that the Chinese economy has yet to feel the economic down turn and is continuing to grow at an astounding rate of 8% per year; it does indeed look grim!

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 11 January 2010 That is some pretty grim news coming from a news source that is pretty liberal and should be upbeat about our economy. You know when you hear bad news from msnbc about our future thats not a good sign. What makes me so sick to my stomach though is that this trend never stops. We really all would be fucked without a union though. They do some shitty things and a lot of them are highly incompetent, but without them we wouldnt have any room for bargaining.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 11 January 2010 The future of employment in America... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34769831/ns/business-careers//

Name: retired E-mail: georgia Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 10 January 2010 I have no reason to lie about mine and my wifes;retirement I paid in full retirement in my last 10 years of work so I should be drawing the max. my wife never worked other than keeping our children and other kids also never charged anything for doing this she looks after our grandkids now. It still takes a lot to get by. she had open heart surgery three months ago the united health insurance paid over $100,00.00 I was billed for over $15,000.00 trying to negoiate this down so far no luck.If the r.r. retirement is making a mistake in ou r\retirements I am glad will have nothling else to say about this.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 10 January 2010 He draws $5840 a month. The spouse makes their choice at age 60 between collecting a pension off railroad retirement or social security. They can not collect both. Railroad retirement is comprised of two entities Tier I and Tier II. Tier I is a company pension Tier II is similiar to social security.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 09 January 2010 Name: retired E-mail: georgia Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 07 January 2010 I have been retired two years to the person who is so much interested in r.r. retirement I can give you a fact my retirement is $3,980 a month and my wife gets $1860.00 dollars a month out of this her insurance is over $800.00 a month I have none just on medicare and medicaid. never had go to a dr. in 15 years but my wife uses her every week. out of our retirement we do have to pay taxes like everyone else.If I die before my wife then her retirement will be raised to where mine is now to $3,980 this came into effect in the last few years.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Interesting, $3980.00 is reasonable for a go getter with 30+ however where does the $1860.00 come from? She must be a doc, or has her own program. RRB will not pay that much on $3980.00. Bet she is Rail also and qualifies for her own, as opposed to part of his. Sounds like after 15 he would take a little fishing time off and go visit the doc to protect this????? I think he is saying $5840.00 per -$70k In all reality I think the$1860.00 is a part of the $3980.00 that my friends is $2120.00 and a big second employed wife.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 09 January 2010 WOW nice post You got it. The key was Average. That was all I said. Works the same with SS ---Average means 49% are lower and 49% are higher. Or close to that???? Work more= pay more= get more. Railroad Retirement is the best pay ing retirement many folks will ever see, it also is the most expensive. SS cost much less, and pays the same as RR per dollar invested.(less in Less out) That is why a defined benefit plan in liew of Union dues is a good idea.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 January 2010 Railroad retirement is based on earnings. If a person worked aggressively over the years it increases. One thing you left out was the yearly income used to calculate that amount in the RRB example. The fact is it was just an example. I do know one or two people who collect $2600-$2800 a month they worked the yard their entire carreer 5 days a week avoided overtime never worked over on to another shift ect...Most people I know within 5-10 years of retirement work more to increase the rate. About 7 years ago someone for RRB came down to work offered to run a work sheet of our compensation for disability payments majority of those who had it done averaged $2900 a month which was based on less than 30 years service. 95% of my carreer has been road service. I already know what my monthly income on disability will be which doesn't include 2009 wages and earnings. The 2009 earning won't be figured in till July seeing RRB runs on a fiscal year. On the spread sheet for past years earnings it takes in to consideration what they would be worth in the present economy. That too is a factor in determining retirement payments. Example: 1989 earnings of $40,000 might be worth $65,000 in todays economy. There are several factors in determining retirement compensation. It's not one figure across the board every person is different based on years of service and earnings.

Name: retired E-mail: georgia Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 07 January 2010 I have been retired two years to the person who is so much interested in r.r. retirement I can give you a fact my retirement is $3,980 a month and my wife gets $1860.00 dollars a month out of this her insurance is over $800.00 a month I have none just on medicare and medicaid. never had go to a dr. in 15 years but my wife uses her every week. out of our retirement we do have to pay taxes like everyone else.If I die before my wife then her retirement will be raised to where mine is now to $3,980 this came into effect in the last few years.

Name: averagejoe E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 06 January 2010 you know what i agree most people on the rr are related and loved ones do get hired over more qualified people i had 2 intervues 1 the shop forman and his bitch was there to hand pick the people for the supposed recruiter a nigger who looked down on me while hiring his masstas white kin folk the second time no formen or anything only recruiters got the job that was over a year ago and still no word it was really embarissing for the first 6 months or so explaining to people why i wasnt at the rr yet so yes they do hire family for jobs that are for sure but they dont give a hoot about the imaginary jobs or the ones they know pple will be laid off from shortly so unless you were military or have high pull if you get a job there my observation is your bieng played as a fool or fucked from the get go

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 06 January 2010 How do the average monthly railroad retirement and social security benefits paid to retired employees and spouses compare? The average age annuity being paid by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at the end of fiscal year 2008 to career rail employees was $2,510 a month, and for all retired rail employees the average was $1,980. The average age retirement benefit being paid under social security was over $1,085 a month. Spouse benefits averaged $740 a month under railroad retirement compared to $520 under social security. The Railroad Retirement Act also provides supplemental railroad retirement annuities of between $23 and $43 a month, which are payable to employees who retire directly from the rail industry with 25 or more years of service.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Above are the facts from RRRB. Guess I may have been off $10.00 My only point was that if possible to get a defined benefit plan along with RR it is a bonus.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 04 January 2010 Goob You've been away from the railroad for a long time. I can assure you our retirement pays a lot more than $2500 a month. In fact it pays a lot more than that for just an individual add in a spouse it goes up around 50% more. There you go again with your anti-union retoric.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 03 January 2010 When the folks give a little the CSX will give a bunch. Nothing better than a non union RR. You will have as an Engineer, Conductor 2 retirement programs. Better than one. Simple addition 3k per month plus 2k- 5k which is much more than those collecting now. Average retired RR employee draws. $2500.00 per month

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 01 January 2010 spongeboob Reread my post. It's good advise. If one can't adapt then they'll fail. We definitely don't go out of my way to get the work done, We let CSX tell us how they would like it done. A big difference. It's a job CSX is our employer it doesn't get any simpler than that. One gaurentee is those oldheads you critise have forgotten more about railroading then you'll ever know. We would love nothing better than to go back to the way it was which you know nothing about. True empowerment. No one looking over your shoulder or spying on you with binoculars. We got our paperwork and that train was ours. With micro management those TM's are instructed to do there job by higher ups. You state oldheads talk to the TM's when they show up. Why not? In most cases they come to us for advise seeing most of them weren't even born when we hired out. A lot of times they go to oldheads to fix the problems created by those with little or no experience or maybe someone with an attitude who thinks there screwing over CSX. If the union isn't willing to take action to alleviate the harrassment then people have to put up with it or find another job. I know of no oldhead who goes out of their way for an official. There are those young ones who think it creates browny points by going to the office being friendly not knowing their loose mouths have given info unwittingly to management that can be used. We've played the game a lot longer than you.

Name: spongebob E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 31 December 2009 Loco Eng for 30+ Spin it and twist it in your mind all you want buddy, I work with guys like you every day. Guys like you that have pride in their jobs at my termainal are the first ones to drop to their knees when Management walk in the door. Most other workers at CSX are sick of the Chicken shit failures, manpower shortages, unsafe conditions, and Harassment and intimidation by Management. That's why I stick it to the man every I get. Keep going above and beyond for CSX, see how much they appreciate your hard work the next time you fuck up and you get a charge letter for something chickenshit, maybe you'll have a little change of heart. It's Quite obvious you don't work at Avon Terminal, if you did you would have lost your pride a long time ago.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 31 December 2009 I look at myself in the mirror everyday with pride. I go to work give it 100% then go home safe. In 32+ years I've never considered myself a whore or union reps and management pimps. Sounds like you need a different line of work if it makes you feel that way. It's CSX's railroad we are hired to do a job and get paid pretty good for it. It doesn't matter if they want things done their way. Since micro management came on the railroad they've made me overtime, extra days pay, time claims ect...Why would anyone complain about it? If those of us who have been out here for 30+ years can adapt then anyone can. We've lost more than those who've only been out here starting in the mid '90s. The only imporatant issues are that everyone works safe looks out for their co-workers and goes home to their families intact. Other than that it's all just a thing. If you're frustrated you did it to yourself. Play their game.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 31 December 2009 If any of you believe your jobs are coming back, or new jobs will be created, your head is in the land of OZ. I personally don't and won't do anything for CSX unless I am expicitly told to do so. An example, I am told to walk to my engine and inspect it. Fine, No one can tell me how fast to walk. No one can tell me how to inspect my engine or the time limit to do it in. Paperwork? Broken pens, or the inspection forms not on the engine? I could care less. I call the yardie.......let him tell me where and how to get a pen or inspection forms. More time to relax. If I am relaxing, I can't get hurt. Oh, unless one of the many idiots that work here flat switch a car down into my track. Hard to believe but it does happen in this CSX yard. No, just don't care anymore. Don't care if I run out of time on single main track. Don't really care if I am late for work. Don't care if CSX doesn't pay me on time. My union guys will fix that for me. May take 2 to 3 years (without interest) but I'll get my money. Don't care that the radio has static when the dispatcher tries to call me. I don't move the train one inch until I fully understand what he or she wants. I am not allowed to use (and will not) my cell phone to move a train. I just wait X amount of time till the static on the radio stops. When I am stopped and a signal pops up.......I wait 2 or 3 minutes hopefully) to make sure it doesn't drop in front of me. I see a distant signal, I slow down, don't want that to drop on me either. It's just safer this way. Track speed 50mph.....45 is safer. Top restricted speed I operate at is 2 mph, which is very safe. CSX management should be proud of me, that I am sure of, because I haven't run thru any switches. All in all I like working here. Sure the hours are horrible,people show up for work late, in yesterdays clothes, smell like cigarettes teeth not brushed, but they are elite professionals. These elite professionals will show off to you and new hires by dispalying thier ignorance and stupidity of rules, regulations, and RR operations. But then my union reps or management will talk to the new hires and correct the problem,,,,,right? Well maybe the union or management talks to the elite professional and straightens him or her out. Yeah, thats what happens where I work. Never seen it personally, but "they" tell me it has happened. I feel safer when "they" tell me things like that. I am kinder to a stray dog, than to any union rep or CSX manager. I hold both in complete disgust and distrust. Both are liars, and thieves. What does the BLE do with my dues? Well in thier newsletters, complete with pictures, they are playing golf, in conference in Las Vegas, or discussing important union contracts at a nice resort location......so they can fully concentrate on the matters at hand. In closing, I,like many of you are nothing more than whores. CSX and the unions are the pimps. We get told how long to work. Where to work. How much we will get paid. How much longer am I going to be a whore? I don't know. I do know it is getting harder and harder to look at my self in the mirror. Are you brave enough to look in the mirror?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 25 December 2009 Merry Christmas to all my union brothers & sisters who just wanna go to work, do there job, get paid in a correct manner, and last but not least...not get hurt. December 24, 2009.......and CSX STILL SUCKS!

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 25 December 2009 Hey Pensacola: I heard a Trainman, Marques Eakes was found dead in his garage in the last week or two. I have been unable to find anything in the Pensacola or Mobile papers about it, not even an obit. Any info?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 20-30 years Posted: 23 December 2009 All concerned: For The New Year...let us all focus on our union(s). Until we get a gripe on our union bosses we all will continue to fight and blame each other. Four of the last six (two from each union) international officers have been kicked-out-of-office representing themselves instead of the members they were entrusted to represent. Strong leadership, 100% rule compliance, and solidarity will always trump abuse. "FELA" is the operative word. The railroads worst "nightmare!" If you are force to do an unsafe act and injured in the process. FELA! If you suffer from sleep deprivation (common for railroaders) due to extreme working conditions. FELA! Sleep deprivation is caused by (see BLET August 09' Issue) cumulative trauma due to excessive lateral motion while riding trains. During these times, the greed of Corporate America (illegal immigration to control labor cost) is sinking our country and most of all, our families. So step-up to the plate and quit whining! Get involved in your union and start holding your union officers accountable!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 21 December 2009 Everyone settle down. The UTU and BLET are looking out for our best interest(s), they don't care about dues, they care about us! Without the support of these Unions we would be making $8.00 an hour. Think about it.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 18 December 2009 furloughed cubbie I'll try to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah. You do the same. I don't think I did anything to offend you. In fact it was just the opposite. What CSX did to those in training was terrible. I've stated that fact several times on this site. In fact I was in one discussion a while back where others thought it was right to let cubs go if others were furloughed. My opinion which has never changed is those in training should of been allowed to complete it to establish seniority. The key element is establishing seniority. Something those in training were not allowed to do get promoted to conductor.

Name: Furloughed Cubbie E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 16 December 2009 to all you guys who have been giving advise and your sympathy....thank you and Merry Christmas...and to the so called guy with 30+ years....Happy Hanuka you rat bastard, you don't deserve a Merry Christmas

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 16 December 2009 Hey Loco 30+: Your kids are safe for the time being then:)

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 16 December 2009 NoMo Northern California was way out of reach. The cost was 4X compared to the east coast. I'm concentrating right now on Southwest Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. I'll take up to a year to travel and find it. I don't want to wait to long. A person would be crazy not to get in while the housing markets still down and very affordable. Two friends retired and went back up north to Ohio and Michigan both bought houses at less than $50,000. Another friend he went to the mid-west bought a brick home 3 brm 2 bath for $55,000. Only prerequisite it has to in the country no more burb dwelling for me. The burbs are being flooded with city dwellers along with it comes their city ways they don't respect others privacy.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 16 December 2009 Hey Loco 30+: I think the conductor on road trains will be safe this go around but once PTC is operational, look out! You might be getting out just in time...safety is just a word...it sounds good and helps keep the insurance premiums down. It's just a matter of time before CSX or another carrier has a Bhopal disaster. Just imagine all the crow hoppin and fancy foot work after that! Greed is the bottom line...like Nike moving it's manufacturing operations to Asia because they said the cost of production would go down due to cheap labor. Good deal right...now my $100 Nikes will only cost $80. 95% of that saving went straight into management's pockets in the form of bonuses, the rest to the shareholders. The view of CSX and the unions changes a little from the outside, doesn't it? The further out you get, the more the view changes. Have you found a spot to light yet? You were talking about Northern California, is that still your plan?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 16 December 2009 Lloyd With the UTU creation of the APE (All Purpose Employee) it has led us down a path of total craft extinction it caused to many problems. I say UTU creation because the 1994 crew consist opened the door for duel seniority forcing new hires into engine service. Then the UTU fought the BLE to dissolve the two crafts with the creation of the APE. If the UTU hadn't been hell bent on trying to take over the BLE we would still be afforded better protection. This has led to one nightmare after another an it continues. The railroads played their cards right letting the UTU make deals with the devil. The UTU cried victory while all along the devil was standing in the shadows sucking them dry to the point there was nothing left to bargain. It was so simple years ago BLE for engineers UTU for trainmen. We knew where we stood. Now we don't know anything. The BLE(T) is no better. They have screwed the membership by dividing our bargaining power with on-property contracts. Railroads like the UP which refuses to bargain with the BLE(T) for on-property contracts their members are going to be used as guiney pigs to pass legislation that will affect every railroad. I despised the BLE when they added the trainmen (T) to our name. Issues we fought against for keeping craft autonomy were thrown out the window when they capitulated and became no better then the UTU. The railroads win they aren't living up to contracts. The BLE(T) coward down with ignorant responses which are all the same our concerns will be brought up in dispute/resolution committee meeting with the carrier. My answer "blow me" you lame SOB's.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 16 December 2009 Your damn right loco 30. Greed. It's one of the biggest factors that lead to our country going into a depression and people losing their jobs. It's the only reason they want to make a one man crew. Any other reason is just a lie or a cover up. Less people working means more money for the stock holder and more money for the people running this dog and pony show. This is where the rubber meets the road though guys. What do you all think the UTU will do if they actually try to negotiate something with them? The only reason they would not call a strike at that point would be that they made a deal with the devil so I'd pay close attention to what goes on in the next five to ten years. There could be something proposed sooner but I can't see something like this happening without a huge fight. Unless most of the engineers were to take a huge bonus, completely turn their backs on the conductor craft, and look forward to long lonely nights on the tracks I just can't see this thing passing. Money talks and bullshit walks though. This would be such a great step for our economy though don't you all agree? More money for people who already have it and less jobs for people who need them. It's becoming the American way.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 16 December 2009 NoMo It looks like it's going to get worse before better. The American Association of Railroads which represents the class 1's in legislative matters ect...is pushing hard this time around for the one man crew. They seem to even have the blessing of the FRA seeing they declined to get involved. Damn, I'm glad I'm getting out of the railroad I have one hurdle left to get my disability retirement. To many changes in the last 25 years. Starting with losing the caboose then it's been downhill with the continuios reduction of crew size. There has always been a percentage of those qualified as engineers that will not make it on their own. Every terminal in every state has engineers that can't stay awake much less run a train efficiently. I see disaster in the future if legislation is passed to allow engineer only freight trains. CSX has been promoting engineers at an alarming rate not caring if they actually know what their doing. In the past 5 years I've seen to many major rule violations that jeaprodise the safety and security of others including the general public. Everyone from the railroads, STB, FRA, unions, to Congress ect...talks of safety but in the end the bottom line is greed.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Train Dispatcher, for 10-20 years Posted: 15 December 2009 Do you realise how much time you spend at work for CSX without compensation? Think about your prep time you do not get paid for. Think about the time you have to report so you do not violate FRA Laws. Are we in an environment that encourges us to violate Federal Laws so we are not disiplined by CSX policies. How much time have they stolen from us. How much money does that add up to over the years. How about the busted calls? How much do we loose on that?

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 15 December 2009 Guaranteed Extra Boards = furloughs...guaranteed. I don't think the NS has guaranteed Extra Boards but because of the poor economy they probably have people furloughed to but I'm sure it's only a fraction of what CSX has furloughed. In talking to people I know there seems to be a consensus that a lot of the furloughed men will never be called back or at best, it may be several years before they are. Venting helps but in the end you have to turn your energy to things you can control...you have no control over the economy or the railroad, in fact, you have little control over anything in your life. Concentrate on those things you can control. In regard to the post several days ago about the Con that got missed called because he refused a job at an away from home terminal. In Mobile (L&N) we had a two hour calling window; you had to answer the phone from two hours before the shift's first job went on duty to the time that shift's last job went on duty. Other than that you were not required to answer the phone. The yard was also required to protect road jobs. If I recall correctly, If you were first out on the Trainmen's Board you were require to take the call even if it was for a yard job, unless you were protected. After Katrina, because of the guarantee, which I think was around $2400 even the protected men had to accept calls or lose their guarantee. It pays off to read and understand the contract and local agreements you work under and participate in the Local's meetings regardless of how bad the UTU is!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 15 December 2009 dad I'm glad my generation didn't have a venue like Csx-sucks. This just keeps emotions stirring instead of chalking it up as a life experience. It took around the 3rd year of furloughs to finally get it through my thick head to save for the down time. I an others of my generation preached to the new hires spend little save a lot the first years. Do not buy anything big like new cars (well maybe an affordable used car or a Hyundia or Kia) no new homes ect...It fell on deaf ears. This advise came with experience. My first year I was furloughed a lot due to a coal miners strike in 1977. After being called back to work in spring of 1978 went out and bought a new car. No one told me I'd be furloughed every winter lost that car by early winter 1979 turns out railroad unemployment didn't pay because I didn't have enough time working in 1977. I learned quickly when I got recalled back in spring of 1979. Furloughs after that were a lot easier it was being on a tight budget and savings helped. By late spring 1980 the bottom fell out in the north the auto industry went belly up so did a lot of railroad work. Today we are getting hit by all fronts auto, coal, manufacturing ect...everything has tanked. All one can hope for is that this country recovers in the near future and it doesn't linger on for years like the Great Depression which last over 10 years.

Name: dad E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 15 December 2009 To: Locomotive engineer for 30+ I'm not trying to start a pissin contest, and I never said you and others that hired out years ago, did'nt go through the same crap and more, all I'm saying is, if you had this forum 30 years ago,chances are you would have been right hear doing the same thing....bitchin. I, and I'm sure others feel that morale is an important aspect of doing business, but apparently csx see's things different, as evadent by the way they treat good employees. It sure would be nice if management would enter the human factor in, when they make their decisions.Happy employees make good employees, and good employee make more money for the company and in the end, themselves.But here I go again, thinking that csx is going to do the ethical thing, when they get the same end results by forcing employees into submission with threats on their living. I have seen no evedence of ethics at csx, and that is a real shame, It's not that hard to treat people like you would like to be treated,,,now where have I heard that before?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 15 December 2009 Dad Alright you opened up a can of worms. We went through furloughs just like what is happening today. That's right, you don't want to hear about it. Furloughs come with the job. At times I felt jealous of those who got hired and never had to go through hardships. I worked with several men who hired on at the right time in the early '80s when retirements were in full swing an it opened up slots. They never knew what it was like to juggle bills try and make ends meet when railroad unemployment only paid $25 a day. I've been there. In fact I transferred to another state leaving everything to keep working for the railroad. Don't tell me I don't know what it is like. Sure this a venue to let off steam. Then again people haven't a clue about how the railroad works. They can't keep people marked up if business has decreased. You people hired on with gaureteed extraboards my generation didn't have that luxory. It was feast or famine on the extra board. At times we collected unemployment while still marked up if we didn't get a minimun of 10 days. The unions got gaurenteed extra boards they also gave complete control to the railroads. There is a ratio to correspond to the number of jobs that is way low. Go to a union meeting take action to do away with gaurentees then it can be loaded up to the numbers we saw decades ago. If you're still working feel fortunate. In my area there are a few furloughs but the majority of those hired in the last 1- 1 1/2 years are still working. Some of those furloughed had the option to work other locations and chose not to. No sympathy there. If CSX offers transfers to other locations it gets critised. I wish in 1980 I had the benefits afforded with these transfers like 30 days lodging, meals, bonuses ect...we did it with nothing some of us using our last unemployment checks. Don't tell me I have no feeling for those furloughed.

Name: dad E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 14 December 2009 Hey engineer with 30+,this forum is good therapy for guy to let off steam, for whatever reason. It always amazes me how someone with lots of seniority bust new hires chops for bitchin about being treated like crap. They would appreciate your support, not your sarcasum.No one expects you to do anything.....just listen. We may not manufacture any cars, like the big auto makers, but I'll bet if we did'nt perform the services we do, it would have a lot bigger impact on the economy than a few sorry ass auto manufactures that are bailed out with tax payer hard earned money.As far as going to the media,I dont think the rule about talking about csx worries too many of these guy's. You have to have a job before you can loose one. Also, where I'm from it's not against the law to tell the truth.I would love to see enough of these new hires that were lied to, get together and bring a class action law suit againt csx for ruining their lives. No matter what you say, they were mislead. How can you blame a guy for being upset for being furloughed 4 times in 4 years, and thats not the worst thing about it, sometimes they are only brought back for a month or two, and cut off again, now thats what I call real crew management....give me a break, they just dont give a shit.....like me!!!!!!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 14 December 2009 CSX Blow You better read the rule books again. There is a rule that pertains to not discussing CSX business with the public. Create waves it'll be a definite termination. That's not good advise to give. That's twice in the past week it's been mentioned. The first was similiar something about why other people get layed off and it makes news. The reason we don't get mentioned it happens all the time. Some locations it's seasonal. We manufacture nothing so it isn't important to the public. Not like the auto industry when they start laying off or closing plants it's major headlines. I see you still have a grudge over paying to get your job. Don't you think it's time to get over it? That one puzzles me. No one put a gun to your head. Apparently you were grown up enough to make that decision and sign the papers. Lifes to short to carry grudges. This blame the oldhead bullschidt is getting old. Get over it. In a few years a few more retirements I can tell you'll end up just like those oldheads you like to critize. It comes with the territory. One big fact when you separate from the railroad wether it's quitting, terminated, furloughed, or retired people are forgotten. Once out of the loop it's over. It's just a job life goes on. It's all about doing the right thing for your family most importantly for yourself. Do the job to the best of your abilities. My last few years of working I gave it 100% like I always have the difference I followed their instructions which was screwed up because they didn't make sense. In the end it was job protection double switching respotting of industries ect...made a lot of unnecessary overtime but it was nice on pay day.

Name: CSX Blow E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 13 December 2009 You should contact your local newspaper of TV station and let them do a story on you guys. That would REALLY get something going right there. Some heads would start rolling. Personally, the best news I got ALL DAMN YEAR was when I read on the gateway that Tony Ingram is leaving the company on December 31st. I hope some things will change for the better as far as moral goes. This company could make SO much more money if their employees were happy. "Happy employee's are productive employee's". At this point in time I could give two shits less if a car gets delivered to a customer because last half I got screwed out of 3 days pay....

Name: Furloughed Cubbie E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 13 December 2009 thanks CSX Blows, i do keep in close contact with almost all of the other cubs from my location along with alot of the guys i went to class with at the REDI center. We have helped each other find jobs while we are waiting for the call back to CSX. From what out train master told us when we were furloughed was that we should of never been hired because two weeks before we were to go to the REDI they had furloughed several at our location. Instead J-ville dicks said no, lets get them hired and trained so when they do get furloughed they can come back already trained. Well like i said in ealier post...about 75% of the cubs who were in my class couldn't go back to there old job because of either no notice or old job was filled. CSX should have never hired us with the economic situation. I am pissed but i am just glad i was able to get my foot in the door because i had been trying for 2 years to get on. Once again thanks for the support and to all the coats in J-ville...stop screwing with our lives and get us back to work or atleast let us finish out our training so we can atleast work off the furlough board.

Name: CSX Blow E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 13 December 2009 To Furloughed Cubbie : Man, hang in there. I know it must be hard on you and most people on this forum have NO idea whatsoever what you are going through. There have been people all over the system that is going through the exact same situation you're enduring right now. It is VERY bad business to hire people and lay them off before finishing their training. It shows pure, utter disrespect to all their employees and just not the ones who it directly affected. The reason I say it's disrespectful to all their employees is due to the fact that if they could be so ethically challenged to do such a thing to a new employee what would they do to other employees who have already established themselves with the company. Moral at CSX is very bad. It is the worst I have ever seen at any corporation I have ever had any dealings with. A big problem I have is that nobody at this company never wants to take resistibility for their actions. I see this on a daily occurrence and 90% of it takes place in management. Someone is always placing the blame on someone else. Therefor, you will never get an honest answer from most officials on this railroad so if I was you I wouldn't even waist my time by asking them for information. The management on this railroad is mostly very young and come to work with enough gel in their hair to grease the rails and really never had to work for much so they really can't comprehend what an individual with a mortgage, car payments, family, and basic bill may be going through. This is the caliber of individuals running this dog, and pony show. What I would encourage you to do is keep in contact with other people who you hired with. When I was furloughed I did that and we were able to mentally support each other. That really went a long way too. One funny thing is when the railroad lays off people(furlough)you never hear about it. When another company lays off people you see it all over the new. I called my local news station and talked to a reporter there and she wanted my story REALLY bad. To make a long story short me and several other guys were going to do an interview with her about CSX ethics but my other fellow railroaders who were supposed to be my union brothers backed out at the last minute so the story was canceled. If you can find some guys in your area that are fed-up then you could try the same thing. It would be a real eye opener to the American public. Lastly, don't listen to these old heads saying they feel nothing for you and like everything is your fault. They see to forget that were paid $5,000 to have out jobs and they didn't. We had to do 6 weeks of class room training and most of them didn't. Like I said, hang in there bro and things will get better soon. Just don't let this place bother you too bad because when it comes right down to it you don't work for them, you work

Name: averagejoe E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 12 December 2009 hey there guys it is the christmas season all times for happiness lol one year to the day csx told me i have a job but guess what no job the sad part is that i actually thought i would get a job seeing as my daddy didnt work for the rr, i wasnt in the military because i couldnt decide what i wanted to do for myself, or i dont like to suck on big hard harry jew peckers so to all you semi rich dick merry fuckin christmas tell csx to blow me cuase i still wont blow them for a job

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 12 December 2009 furloughed cubbie Just ignore Goober, He comes around on this site once in a while just to try and stir things up. He's like the pet dog that when it was a puppy it was cute but developed a bad habit of rolling around in it's own crap smelled like schidt so you tied it up to become an outside dog. Every now and then it gets loose

Name: Furloughed Cubbie E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 11 December 2009 some of you guys who have not been furloughed in years need a reality check. People like me and other furloughed cubs and RR employees with low senority got screwed. I left my good job because RR has better retirement and benefits, the money was the same. Now since CSX only relies on one person to let new hires know when to turn in a notice and that person wanted to take a vaction to campaign for Obama "not making this up, this is what she told me" i have to work for a fraction of what i was making. Those of you who share my sympathy i appreciate it very much, but those of you who want to say i am ignorant need to be furloughed and work a job making 40K less a year than you were making and see how you feel then. I understood the risk when i took this job, but i wouldn't be in the situaition i am in now if i was just able to turn in a notice and be able to go back to my old job atleast until i finally got a call back to CSX. Wow i left a job working around a bunch of dick heads to only work for with bigger dick heads

Name: Furloughed Cubbie E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 11 December 2009 hey dumby...what i was saying is i had a damn good job and was told to report to the Redi on a certain date. I was told by this dumb bitch in Jacksonville "DO NOT TURN IN NOTICE WITH CURRENT EMPLOYER UNTIL ORDERS ARE RECIEVED FROM JACKSONVILLE" Well exactly two before i was to report to the REDI i never heard anything and called this dumb bitch and found out she was on vacation and nobody there could tell me if i was still to go to the REDI or not. 4 days before we were to report i finally got a call saying "you can now turn in a notice with your employer". Since this dumb bitch decided to take a vaction and not call me and the other new hires i can not go back to my old job and now have to work for peanuts.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 11 December 2009 bs out there who got screwed by the CSX cock? We all left damn good jobs to come to CSX but most of us couldn't go back to our old jobs because we only got to put in a 4 day notice. Why you ask? Well the lady who was supposed to send us our paperwork letting us know to put in a notice with our current employer took a vacation the day we should have turned in our notice to our employer. Now i cant go back because they said i never gave a 2 weeks notice. THANKS CSX. Stop hiring folks if you are only going to work them 3 months and not let them turn a proper notice with their current employer because they may need there old job back. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX If the RR is hiring these folks. Those that left Dam Good jobs to come to CSX. And the lady did not do her job, took a few vaction days and caused this poor person to get all screwed up. Can't move forward and can't move back. Now it is CSX fault for hiring a fool. God bless America. Guess the answer is give 2 weeks notice. hA HA Now remember-- we could only put in a 4 day notice?? Phone broke I figure????

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 11 December 2009 Amazing an Engineer with 30 years thinks a Furlough is a Termination. The poor guy needs to get a part time job, no need to call anyone. The RR will call and you will resume training at the proper time. The frigging union has nothing to do with that until you establish a spot on the roster. Then you are a real number, with less protection than you had at your last job, just cost a lot more. As far as the 2 week notice, you are dumber than dumb to not do that. Every company expects that as a courtesy for paying your sorry ass for years. You never have to give notice, many never do and they pay the price down the road. Now you can see that, since ya wanna go back. and the door is closed and locked.

Name: JJ Boyd E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 11 December 2009 Just found out thet a long time fellow employee at collinwood ohio yard in cleveland has a snitch . he pretends to be your freind and the rats you out to the company . Conductor JIM BOYD may you rot in hell . the trainmaster are bad ,But you come from behind and stab your brothers in the back !!!! You better work in a well lighted area Jimmy boy

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 11 December 2009 Those in training who were let go without completion of OJT and promotion. A puzzling question. What happens to them after things improve? You are correct in the fact you don't belong to the union. No protection. Unfortunately you're left up to CSX to decide your fate. Longer it goes less secure. One case scenario every 6 months maintain contact with CSX giving a current address and phone number. Depends on length of time one might assume the entire training process will have to done over again. Those that were in training when CSX let them go have my sympathy. CSX should of done the right thing by letting people complete their training to establish seniority. That is the key element establishing seniority which didn't happen. Unfortunately the only advise is keep your info current for when they start hiring again. Trainmasters just do what their told by upper management. In my area I did have sympathy for the TM who got the order to have all trainees turn in their gear that their services were no longer needed. I do feel it hurt this man to do the dirty deed. That was CSX being cold blooded.

Name: Furloughed Cubbie E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 10 December 2009 I was hired and was only on OJT for 4 weeks and got training suspended. Well i am not union or management so no one can tell me or the rest of the cubs what the fuck is going on. Our furlough board is getting very low which is suprising since this is supposed to be the slow time of year but anyways we were told when our training was suspended when it got down to a certain amount, our taining would resume. Well here it is well past what our Train Master told us and i still haven't got the call. My question is what the fuck is CSX gonna do when all furloughed guys are back and we are still on OJT and they dont have a furlough board to pull from? It only makes since to get us back in training that way when everyone is called back we are ready to go. Any other cubs out there who got screwed by the CSX cock? We all left damn good jobs to come to CSX but most of us couldn't go back to our old jobs because we only got to put in a 4 day notice. Why you ask? Well the lady who was supposed to send us our paperwork letting us know to put in a notice with our current employer took a vacation the day we should have turned in our notice to our employer. Now i cant go back because they said i never gave a 2 weeks notice. THANKS CSX. Stop hiring folks if you are only going to work them 3 months and not let them turn a proper notice with their current employer because they may need there old job back.

Name: Sadder E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 1-10 years Posted: 10 December 2009 Sad, Yes, everyone is suppose to be back at work Jan. 1, 2010. Also, Hell will freeze over, the Pope will marry Madonna, Elvis will perform live at the Ritz, and Mike Ward will cash out his stock options and give all the money to furloughed RR workers. Merry Christmas.

Name: sad E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 04 December 2009 i have heard that in the start of 2010 , everyone will be back to work. has anyone heard about this if so please let me know .....

Name: E-mail: thatwilldo Employed as: Train Dispatcher, for 20-30 years Posted: 01 December 2009 Steve Gordon I thought I would just post your letter. Quit crying. If you need work go get it the old fashion way. Earn it. Tell us what you can do for us. If you are on CSX-Sucks.com trying to drum up work then I find that weak. There is plenty of work the DLC only want Slam Dunk Cases and the little stuff there is not any representation. So take some hard shot cases and show us what you can do. Default Bringing Light & Sense to the DLC Process Dear YL- You would have to be deaf, dumb and blind to not know my feelings on the Designated Lawyer Selection [DLC] process that is utilized by the BLET, BMWE, UTU and every other rail union. It is a system that is as old as me and has been fraught with deception, greed and a "good ol' boy" system since day one. How many people have vowed to clean it up? How many people have gone to jail, absconded with members' monies, been charged with crimes? The time has come to clean this mess up and I am starting this thread in hopes that, those that believe like I do, will speak up and let your voices be heard! I believe that, at bare minimums, to be any Union DLC, you should have to take a test on the FELA law. You should also have to agree to represent the Members for a 25% contingency fee. You should also agree to give .05% of your FELA fees back to the Union that you have received the designation from and they should be required to take 50% of that money and use it for a designated RAIL charity and the other 50% should be used to fund conventions. These are the requirements that should be made open and obvious. No firm should be given preference over another and each should be free to negotiate down their fee below 25% if they want to in order to give a better deal to the member that contacted them. Any firm that receives a DLC designation that is caught using "runners" should forever lose the DLC status and that would include all lawyers in it. I urge you to speak out. Mr. Sorrow from the BLET has every reason in the world to to do this and take the lead in the industry. I am not saying any DLC currently with a designation is (1) not deserving of it; (2) does not work their butts off in an excellent manner; (3) is not capable to practice FELA law. In fact, I disavow any reference that this post says anything about any one lawyer or any one firm. What I am saying is the "proof is in the pudding" and one cannot deny the problem exists! Steve Gordon FELA Lawyer Last edited by FELA FELLA; Today at 02:55 PM.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 01 December 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for N/A Posted: 28 November 2009 when are we gonna stop fighting each other? and start going after the railroads? do you know you can sue your officals in court for ? or make their personal lives miserable? hey? they wanna fuck with your job and your family ? lets start fucking with them? do it in a way no one will ever know? catch them in any act? go after them in your off time? dont stalk them but? well you get the idea ? you guys that are apes better wake up? officials are not your buddiesXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I love this little post from a little mouse. Hey man do it!! No one really cares. Sue your neighbor, sue CSX, sue anyone that you want. First thing is drag out the old checkbook, and we shall see how interested you really are. Bottom line ---the above post is just BS. Just like most of mine????

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 01 December 2009 Dear All- I post this link for your consideration and comment: http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/legal-news-announcements/18954-bringing-light-sense-dlc-process.html Take Care & Be Safe.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Employed in other capacity, for Less than 1 year Posted: 01 December 2009 ZOMG Tony Ingram is retiring at the end of december

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 29 November 2009 Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 29 November 2009 Hey Other: "Furthermore were does your sense of entitlement come from? What are you owed?" Let me see..."The Great Society" perhaps you're old enough to remember? Welfare, food stamps, public housing, Social Security, WIC, aid to dependent children, unemployment insurance and the list goes on and on. Although most of these programs existed before 1964, they were all greatly expanded after Johnson's reforms and the advent of the "Great Society". Everyone over the age of 45, two maybe three generations, is a child of the "Great Society", that's a huge percentage of the U.S. population. Money talks and bullshit walks, so as long as there are politicians there will be entitlement programs. They may ebb and flow depending on which party is in power but like taxes entitlements are here to stay! ********************************************************************** Oh you are so correct with the above statement, and to that we are a demon of our own creation, and only getting worse in today’s society of me first and something for nothing. No one has a good work ethic anymore and this was created by all of us who tried to provide for our families better than was provided for us! With all the programs that you mentioned above you as well as every one else are entitled to but, with that being said in the private work force what are you entitled to? Like I said before a paycheck? That’s it! I have had a pretty fortunate life provided by myself doing what is expected of me by myself and my family. This has been passed on to my children as well to create a sense of ownership in there future knowing that no one else is going to do it for you, so don’t expect it. Sadly this is not the case in today’s times everyone from GM to my neibores are looking for handouts. This has taken all of the accountability and responsibility out of the decisions we make making it easier to blame someone else when we fail. I sorry I don’t by it. All this attitude does is allow some one else to pay for your mistakes. This also confirms my last post but because I speak of accountability and responsibility I could not possibly be right, it’s always some one else fault that you did something wrong or the decisions you made didn’t work the way you planned… Its time people stand up and are accounted for… and stop crying about it.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 29 November 2009 Are you all really this pathetic? If you hate CSX this much really make a statement and quit. No; that’s what I thought just a bunch of cowards bitching about a company that you work for, imagine that. I might not be seeing the whole picture here but I know enough about unionized work forces to know that you have it very well if you still have a paycheck in this economy were layoffs and furloughs are the norm these days. Furthermore were does your sense of entitlement come from? What are you owed? I don’t work in your industry but a very similar field, were safety and on the job awareness is of the utmost importance, and if not respected in can have life ending consequences so safety is first and foremost your responsibility! With that being said back to my original questions what are you entitled to? What are you owed? Let me tell you so you don’t hurt yourselves thinking about it…..It’s a paycheck, its that simple, if your work your entitled to get paid, that it. If your looking for someone to blame, I have an idea, blame yourselves. If you read this and listen this is true. When was the last union meeting you were at? Do you even know were the meetings are, on what day and when? This is how you are to blame, no participation in your own labor organization and there for your local officers are elected on a good ol’boys club way of doing things, they are in it for themselves and only themselves, but you put them in there. Do you understand how your General Chairman & Vice General Chairman are elected? Here’s a hint by the people who are in the local positions that you elected. Now these people who are looking out for #1 and that isn’t you have free rein to put in people just like themselves in the next level the labor organizations to which you pays dues, oh I almost forgot offices are probably right next to the companies main offices, correct? I wonder why that is, let me tell you because they can! Because you allow it! Because of your lack of interest in your own local, were you pay dues to, were you don’t care what goes on at…….. So back to what started this rant, just resign I am sure that will fix all of your problems at least with CSX it will. No you won’t do that though; why; because they aren’t handing out 60-70K or more a year jobs every day, that’s why! So bitch all you want to because most of you are just hypocrites coming on here to bitch at how bad you have it working for this company that gives you a paycheck so you can provide for yourself and your family. That’s right I’m wrong, here’s an idea, if it’s that bad were you are get up go look yourself in the mirror and blame him, then get involved locally and do something about it.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for N/A Posted: 28 November 2009 when are we gonna stop fighting each other? and start going after the railroads? do you know you can sue your officals in court for ? or make their personal lives miserable? hey? they wanna fuck with your job and your family ? lets start fucking with them? do it in a way no one will ever know? catch them in any act? go after them in your off time? dont stalk them but? well you get the idea ? you guys that are apes better wake up? officials are not your buddies

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 25 November 2009 I'll agree it was half arse backwards on this premium card. The union banked on the majority of members not sending it in. Whoever heard of sending out a card to not be automatically enrolled? It should have been the opposite. Even though it was explained in the attached letter of the actions necessary to prevent paying the premium. It only takes 3 minutes to fill it out and put it in the mailbox seeing it's prepaid postage. For myself it may work out in my favor. To be determined at a later date.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 24 November 2009 E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 November 2009 Goob If you read my first post correctly on Nov 17th it stated send the card in to not have the money taken out. I never endorsed paying it. I wish I had remembered to send in the card. I made the additional premium payments for 7 months. It might benefit me in the long run. That is to be determined at a later date. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I read your post carefully the first time. You said it correctly. The problem I have is with the card, that should be sent in to activate the $31.00 deduction and the fact that no action does what it did to you. It comes down to the union side, everyone wanted us to do this, they never said no. In reality most were working and never read the frigging thing. Bet the score was in the 90% area. Had the union requested a vote in favor---- it would be 20% or less! AS always --just my Opinion-- Everyone has one hopefully. Oh by the way if you can figure out a way to cancel that deduction you will lose the protection and save $217.00 over the next 7 months Good beer money . And you will only be down $217.00 Could be a lot more.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 20 November 2009 your railroad is awful and i hope the stock holders rebel

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 November 2009 Goob If you read my first post correctly on Nov 17th it stated send the card in to not have the money taken out. I never endorsed paying it. I wish I had remembered to send in the card. I made the additional premium payments for 7 months. It might benefit me in the long run. That is to be determined at a later date.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 November 2009 I'll have to agree with the statement these short term disability policies hate to pay. They love those premiums. I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones they've been paying me the past 4+ months with my benefits recently extended for another 3 months. You have to fight to get it started they play the game of denying benefits. Makes you wonder how many times this tactic worked and people gave up. Insurance companies are one of the lowest forms of life on this planet. Everything from healthcare to automobile a neccessary evil.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 18 November 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 November 2009 Bubba This person hates all unions. He also hates job protection insurance. He just posted on a subject he haven't a clue about. Especially the advise of cancelling a short term disability policy that was part of a contract and we don't pay a premium for the basic coverage.XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boy, You hit the nail on the head this time. I despise those that take advantage of others. You are correct I did not know that the coverage was provided by your contract. I am smart enough to know that Insurance provided by the union contract can not be cancelled, it is a group policy? There is no op out for the Individual. I am thrilled that you do not pay more for it, however now the union want's you to pay more! 55k of you at $31.00 per month send it to me and get the same protection that you will have, or now have. Heck I will pay up after you are Disabled, Certified by a doc, and have received a large Settlement.At 1.7 million a month it should really be EASY

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 18 November 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 November 2009 It seems ya'll are confusing several different issues short term disabilty, job protection insurance, and H&W. This option is for a short term disability policy that you already have which doesn't cost you a dime it was part of a contract. Opt out you'll still be covered under the short term disability. If you decide to pay the premium and you get injured on or off the job and collect a settlement you won't have to repay the short term disabilty money. If you collect sick benfits from Railroad Retirement while off injured once you collect a settlement you are required to repay Railroad Retirement. This just alliviates one less person you need to repay. It's not that big of a deal. Sign the card send it back before the cut off date the money won't be taken out of your check.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Short term Disability is a foreign item, with very low claim's. If it is free and comes with the contract fine, even a fool would not cancel free insurance, even though it is worthless. Notice all of the If's in the above post. Folks the stats are in your favor to decline and save that $31.00. If a doc does not say you are Disabled, guess what ZERO to your bank account. Now picture this You must repay, if you are injured, disabled and have a settlement. HUM who would really care!!!!! Pay up folks rely on the master of education the above Engineer!

Name: US Justice Department E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 17 November 2009 The following article is proof that millions of dollars in FELA (Railroad employee injury claim) do NOT go to the injured railroad worker - they go to GREASE THE GREEDY PALMS of the Unions, Railroads, and lawyers around the country. This is just the tip of the iceberg - it is NOT an 'isolated' incident.... railroad carriers, including CSX, spend BILLIONS a year on FELA claims, about 20 TIMES that spent by comparable state workers compensation (non-railraod FELA type) employee claims. It does not take a rocket scientist to see this payment imbalance is VASTLY out of whack. So, WHY IS THERE SUCH AN IMBALANCE OF PAYMENTS? What do FELA claims cost so much more than identical state claims? For every $100 a state system pays, FELA pays $2,000.00 For example, over the course of one year the UP paid out $5 Billion in FELA claims (yes, $1.5 billion!!), while state compensation programs with the same number of workers with the same injuries paid out $300 million - by any calculation, that difference is statistically IMPOSSIBLE - unless there is a MASSIVE KICKBACK PROGRAM in place and running smoothly wtihout interuption. Where does all that FELA money go - billions of dollars of overpayments between the four big railroad - UP, NS, BNSF, and CSX????? It sure doesn't go to the injured railroad workers. Railroad Managers, Directors and Executives in charge of administering FELA claims are in the absolute unchecked perfect position to take HUGE kickbacks from Unions, and from Union appointed FELA attorneys - everyone gets rich in this game....Unions get a kickback from FELA attorneys, FELA attorneys get pumped up settlement awards approved by railroad execs. Yes, you can bet that CSX FELA claims executive get kickbacks from both FELA attorneys and Union bosses. THIS IS WHY FELA CLAIM PAYMENTS ARE 20 TIMES HIGHER THAT STATE RUN WORKERS COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, and is why the Railroad 'system' will NEVER get rid of FELA - it is TOO DAMN LUCRITIVE FOR THE CROOKS TO GIVE IT UP - at the sole expense of the stockholder AND the injured railroad worker. For decades we have heard about how 'fake' railroad workers' injury claims have driven up the cost of FELA payments. Now you know its BULLSHIT!!!!!! The whole damn FELA system needs to be investigated and the crooks need to be cleaned out!! Here's the blurb posted earlier by Bubba. Trust me, the BLET president is NOT the only one getting rich off the FELA system - there are hundreds of others who are getting kickbacks too. If the BLET's president spills his guts to cut a deal, many more heads will roll - and you can bet it will include a cadre of union AND railroad executives as well as a boodle of corrupt lawyers... If you who are reading this know of similar illegal FELA kickback schemes, contact your local U.S. Department of Justice field office. **************************************************************** BLET PRESIDENT ARRESTED ON BRIBE CHARGE ( press release issued by U.S. Justice Department, Eastern District, St. Louis, Missouri). Edward W. Rodzwicz, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, was arrested on a federal complaint charging him with bribery, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael W. Reap announced Oct. 13. Rodzwicz is the sitting president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a national labor union with over 55,000 U.S.A. railroad members. It is a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). According to affidavit filed with criminal complaint, BLET maintains a list of designated legal counsel (DLC), who are recommended to their membership to handle injury cases under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). DESIGNATION AS A DLC GENERATES VERY LUCRITIVE BUSINESS FOR (UNION) DESIGNATED FELA ATTORNEYS. The national president of the BLET has final authority over the designation of FELA attorneys. In February 2009, an internal compliance committee recommended that a particular DLC attorney for the BLET should lose his designation, due to alleged violations of DLC Rules of Conduct. On March 10, 2009, Rodzwicz approached that attorney in Little Rock, Ark., and solicited a payment from that attorney in exchange for allowing him to retain his DLC designation. The DLC attorney contacted the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. In subsequent meetings at the attorney's office in St. Louis, and at Harrah's Casino, Las Vegas, Rodzwicz solicited and agreed to accept a cash payment of $10,000 from the attorney, plus the promise of an additional cash payment of $10,000 after Rodzwicz allowed him to retain his designation. Rodzwicz accepted a cash payment from the attorney on April 28, 2009, in Las Vegas, and he sent a letter allowing the attorney to retain his designation on May 1, 2009. He accepted a second cash payment of $10,000 from the attorney on Sept. 16, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. The complaint was filed in the Eastern District of Missouri last week and remained suppressed until the arrest of Mr. Rodzwicz this morning by agents with the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, at his home in Avon, Ohio. Daniel R. Petrole, acting inspector general, U.S. Department of Labor, stated: "Union members expect that their officials will do what is right on their behalf. If these allegations are proven, there has been a serious breach of the union members' trust. My agency will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate this type of crime." Rodzwicz, 63, was charged with one violation of 18 U.S.C. section 666, bribery in connection with a federally funded program; and one violation of 18 U.S.C. section 1952, interstate travel to carry on unlawful activity. He made his initial appearance this afternoon in Cleveland. If convicted, 18 U.S.C. section 666 carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; 18 U.S.C. section 1952 carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. The charges set forth in a complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. October 14, 2009. ********************************************************************

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 November 2009 Bubba This person hates all unions. He also hates job protection insurance. He just posted on a subject he haven't a clue about. Especially the advise of cancelling a short term disability policy that was part of a contract and we don't pay a premium for the basic coverage.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 November 2009 It seems ya'll are confusing several different issues short term disabilty, job protection insurance, and H&W. This option is for a short term disability policy that you already have which doesn't cost you a dime it was part of a contract. Opt out you'll still be covered under the short term disability. If you decide to pay the premium and you get injured on or off the job and collect a settlement you won't have to repay the short term disabilty money. If you collect sick benfits from Railroad Retirement while off injured once you collect a settlement you are required to repay Railroad Retirement. This just alliviates one less person you need to repay. It's not that big of a deal. Sign the card send it back before the cut off date the money won't be taken out of your check.

Name: Bubba E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 16 November 2009 Hey, Other, non-employee, for N/A Almost forgot, since you a UTU hater and a BLE nut-hugger, I thought you may wanna read this. Not to worry, I'm sure you have a very large Ego and you can handle it. BLET president arrested on bribe charge (The following press release was issued by the U.S. Justice Department’s U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis.) Edward W. Rodzwicz, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, was arrested on a federal complaint charging him with bribery, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael W. Reap announced Oct. 13. Rodzwicz is the sitting president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a national labor union with over 55,000 members consisting of railroad employees throughout the United States. It is a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, the BLET maintains a list of designated legal counsel (DLC), who are recommended to their membership to handle injury cases under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Designation as a DLC generates very lucrative business for designated attorneys. The national president of the BLET has final authority over the designation of FELA attorneys. In February 2009, an internal compliance committee recommended that a particular DLC attorney for the BLET should lose his designation, due to alleged violations of DLC Rules of Conduct. On March 10, 2009, Rodzwicz approached that attorney in Little Rock, Ark., and solicited a payment from that attorney in exchange for allowing him to retain his DLC designation. The DLC attorney contacted the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. In subsequent meetings at the attorney's office in St. Louis, and at Harrah's Casino, Las Vegas, Rodzwicz solicited and agreed to accept a cash payment of $10,000 from the attorney, plus the promise of an additional cash payment of $10,000 after Rodzwicz allowed him to retain his designation. Rodzwicz accepted a cash payment from the attorney on April 28, 2009, in Las Vegas, and he sent a letter allowing the attorney to retain his designation on May 1, 2009. He accepted a second cash payment of $10,000 from the attorney on Sept. 16, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. The complaint was filed in the Eastern District of Missouri last week and remained suppressed until the arrest of Mr. Rodzwicz this morning by agents with the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, at his home in Avon, Ohio. Daniel R. Petrole, acting inspector general, U.S. Department of Labor, stated: "Union members expect that their officials will do what is right on their behalf. If these allegations are proven, there has been a serious breach of the union members' trust. My agency will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate this type of crime." Rodzwicz, 63, was charged with one violation of 18 U.S.C. section 666, bribery in connection with a federally funded program; and one violation of 18 U.S.C. section 1952, interstate travel to carry on unlawful activity. He made his initial appearance this afternoon in Cleveland. If convicted, 18 U.S.C. section 666 carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000; 18 U.S.C. section 1952 carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. The charges set forth in a complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. October 14, 2009

Name: Bubba E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 16 November 2009 Other, Non-employee, for N/A You must be a certified financial planner to tell someone "simply cancel the un needed coverage that you currently have. You have coverage provided by you and the CSX---that my friend is all you need." Well now, you must be good friends with the conductor, to know how much coverage he needs to cover his bills in case of a illness. You then state "Put that $31.00 in your pocket, after a while you can call the shot's and not the UTU". What the heck does that mean? If $31.00 a month is gonna make that big of a change in your finances, then apparently you need some financial advice of your own. Also, although I am in the UTU, I received a letter from the BLET yesterday. Let me educate you a bit, this is the bottom paragraph from the BLET international Headquarters. NOTE: UTU Members working as engineers are eligible for Part A and may purchase Part B coverage by making an annual payment of $276 to the BLET Trust Fund. Other, non-employee, for N/A, it seems as though the $276 is more BS from the BLET.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 16 November 2009 Conductor: The $31.00 is more BS from the UTU. The very best move for you is to not even entertain the notion of paying an extra premium, simply cancel the un needed coverage that you currently have. You have coverage provided by you and the CSX--- that my friend is all that you need. Put that $31.00 in Your Pocket, after a while you can call the shot's and not the UTU. Just remember the CSX send's you a check, the UTU take's your check.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 14 November 2009 That money is an option you can opt out. The purpose is if you are injured wether on or off duty and recieve a settlement you don't have to pay back the short term disabilty money. If you opt out then you have to pay back the money if you collected from Prudential after recieving a settlement. The BLET got this last year.

Name: Soon to retire E-mail: Employed as: Crew Dispatcher, for N/A Posted: 13 November 2009 I have spent a lot of time reading these posts! I am surprised to learn that many of us at CMC are oblivious to much of what happens to T&E! The T&E have my upmost respect for the demanding hours and job that they do. But, working the desk that I work, I must say I understand the frustration! Its frustrating for T&E when when some at CMC give you a hard time, but its also frustrationg for callers as well. We are constantly "monitored" I hate hearing that callers are to blame for many of the problems that T&E encounter! Many (not all I know) callers will help with what they can! But we are with our own limits as to what we are able to do. Doing someone a "favor" that is just not possible without getting a caller in hot water (sometimes suspension) is just not worth it. It gets frustrating for us when people "shoot" the boards just to avoid work! Or marks off sick just because they dont want to catch a certain train or dont want to work with who they are paired up with! After working an area so long you start to know whos who and what they do. Our job is to call the trains. when we delay them we have to answer as to why (to more than one person,) and that gets old quick! (Communication is NOT the strong suit of the company, as I am sure many of you know) Running the rosters is what we must do to try to get a crew for the train! If we dont "look" for people to work what we are delaying then thats a write-up for us! and after so many of those it goes to "counseling" and then sometimes an investigation! So yes getting a crew for a train is my #1 priority, its my job. And I am well aware that it gets aggravating for many to have their phones ringing all night! (I personally hate calling people that I know are asleep) I can go on and on here but any employee should understand what I mean. We are under a union contract just as the T&E are! A contract thats violated so often I cant keep up! To get days off the correct way is sometimes nearly impossible for us as well. Ive had to miss many family things due to that. So please try to remember that the callers are not there to "screw" anyone! We are not all bad! Please don't group us all as 1 in the same! Because I really cant think of anyone that I call that would say I am mean or disrespectful to anyone that calls in! I think most would say that I am helpful and try to get a resolution to any problems that one may have! I cant wait to see the responses I get to this! I look forward to reading them! Caller I

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 13 November 2009 Hey Con 30+: Opt out...you can!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 13 November 2009 Has anyone else gotten a letter from the UTU on their latest scam. Everyon MUST pay $31 a month more with their union dues for a short term disability policy. You can send a post card in and opt out but how many will be "lost'"? Which fat cat union bosses are getting a kickback this time?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 08 November 2009 Sick days for T+E on Csx are like caffiene in 7-UP; never had em never will. I drag my sick ass to work and save sick markoffs for beautiful summer days when the list is exhausted.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 10-20 years Posted: 07 November 2009 Hi I work in intermodal and have been with csx for 18 yrs. We use STARS and it sucks they charge us with one point if we are 1 min late or take the day off sick.. With CSXI we get 20 paid sick days a year which is great not sure how many you guys get with CSXT. Flu season is here they also like to tell us that sick days are for the employee not for your children. My sons have been sick with flu for 4 weeks now back and forth maybe I should bring them to the ramp and let them sit in the lunchroom for my shift and get the whole ramp sick. ( I KNOW I CANT DO THIS JUST WISH FULL THINKING) I just dont understand why they give us sick days we cant use!!! THIS SUCKS!! TCU our union does not care so what could we do any suggestions? THANKS

Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 20-30 years Posted: 04 November 2009 Huntington division is no different...trainmasters steal time hear...never leave the house unless Frulla calls out swat team

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Train Master/ supervisor, for 1-10 years Posted: 04 November 2009 THE LOWDOWN ON THE DETROIT TRAINMASTERS RECENTLY ALL 5 TRAINMASTERS AT ROUGEMERE YARD IN DEARBORN MI WERE PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE BY THE NORTHERN REGION MANAGER CINDY SANBORN. THE 4 WERE ACCUSED OF LETTING CREWS STEAL TIME, COVERING UP RUN THROUGH SWITCHES, DERAILMENTS AND INJURIES. AMONG THOSE ACCUSED WAS JIM HORNER, DETROITS TERMINAL MANAGER WHO IS ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED OFFICIALS ON THE ENTIRE CSX SYSTEM BY BOTH T&E EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS OTHER OFFICIALS. LAST FRIDAY THEIR FATE WAS HANDED DOWN BY DIVISION MANAGER JEFF WHITE. MR. HORNER AS WELL AS TM GORDON WILSON WERE FORCED TO RETIRE WHILE TM JOE TUCKER WAS DEMOTED AND TM BOB BARNHARD WAS ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO CRAFT AS CONDUCTOR. THE 5TH TRAINMASTER JASON HARRIS WAS GIVEN A GOLDEN TICKET OUT OF THE DIVISION TO AVON INDIANA WHERE HE HAS WANTED TO GO SINCE ARRIVING AT DETROIT. SO WHY DID THE OTHER 4 GET FIRED AND NOT JASON YOU ASK, WELL MR HARRIS IS THE ONE WHO STARTED ALL OF THIS BY SQUEELING LIKE THE FAT PIG HE IS TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER ABOUT THE WRONG DOINGS IN DETROIT AND ABOUT HOW HE WAS TIRED OF HAVING HIS JOB THREATENED. MR HARRIS DID MORE COVERING UP THAN THE OTHER 4 TRAINMASTERS COMBINED, INCLUDING TAKING CASH FROM A CREW TO COVER UP A RUN-THROUGH SWITCH AND PERSONALLY COMPLETING TIME TICKETS FOR CREWS. MR.HARRIS SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HIS TIME IN DETROIT SHOPPING ON EBAY AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ESCAPE THE DREADED CHICAGO DIVISION. THEN 2 MONTHS AGO WHILE AT A MANAGERS MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA HE DECEIDED TO OPEN HIS FAT MOUTH AND BETTER HIS CAREER BY RUINING THE CAREERS OF 4 OTHER MEN. THE CSXT MANAGMENT AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WITHIN THE NORTHERN REGION DID NOTHING TO INVESTIGATE MR HARRIS'S CLAIMS. IF THEY HAD THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN WHO THE REAL SHITBAG WAS AND SHOVED THE WHISTLE UP THE FAT WHISTLEBLOWERS ASS. SO IF YOU WORK IN OR OUT OF AVON YARD WATCH YOUR ASS. WHETHER YOUR A UNION EMPLOYEE OR AN OFFICIAL, BE CAREFUL BECAUSE JASON HARRIS WILL STEP ON YOU TO GET TO THE TOP. (OR EVEN JUST TO GET OUT OF YOUR DIVISION)

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 02 November 2009 anyone hear about csx employees stealing time in detroit, trainmasters and road forman getting fired also?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 20-30 years Posted: 01 November 2009 We have know one to blame but ourselves for having such cowardly union officers; even on the international level!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 01 November 2009 Why blame those in Hinton for something CSX is considering? I've never seen where the workers or unions have had any options other then try to secure some percentage of the work based on milage on each subdivision when ID service is established. You're playing right into CSX hands create discention amongst the rank and file. CSX doesn't care who loses. It's happened before with ID service in other places it didn't work at first then the workers gave in and made it work. We are our worst enemy at times.

Name: russell guy E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 31 October 2009 Hey folks, I am here to say that Hinton sucks and your managers as well. They think that we are the bad guys and we have alot more work this way. I hope they find away to shut down Hinton stopping point as they have been trying for a long time. I hope they get rid of all the people from Hinton. The only good thing about staying in them shitty hotels is knowing I just passed you on the road and your wife is on her way to see me!! As a matter of fact she just called while you are out of town wanting to know if i was on my way. Your safe tonight cause i am off. Hinton girls are easy!! If you are eating in Hinton your wifes usally come to us and say aww you most work on the railroad my husband works for the railroad hes neer home hint hint. Well why dont you come to DQ and let me eat ya! HA Oh and as far as us taking your shitty jobs we dont want the shitty jobs! You would be better off letting them shut Hinton down at least you would be home a little more! It is not just me there is 4 of your girls sleeping with russell men. And they all tell us hes prolly doing the samething where ever he is. Rot you stupid scabs from Hinton!Just keep in mind if we move to Hinton your wife may just move with us!

Name: conductor E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 31 October 2009 As I have read and know to be fact they are moving jobs to hinton from russell because the russell guys cant move trains over the road. it takes them hrs to even get out on the train and pull. They know that by placing jobs in hinton that the guys wont take them and they are learning that they dont get lodging everywhere and they have to mave to hinton and live. This Id agreement will never last s the company will see that it not working. There are a few guys that have came to hinton to take the few jobs they put on but it wil bit them pretty hard when the company says this aint working they wil lhave to move there home yet again. The company is screwing the guys from both locations and the russell guys didnt see it coming and they bed over and take it. Stupid if they take the few spots at hinton and even dumber if they move to hinton. The company is reviewing the id crews to see whom moves the trains better hiinton guys or russell. They are working on a plan to take away id from russell and let them have the pools and hinton have a id and only run from elk run danville and peach creek back to hinton not in to russell. I personally wish they would do away with id service all together and never have to see the trash from russell again.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 31 October 2009 All you have to do is schedule your PL & DV days on days that are available. I'm sure you already know that fact. CMC has the discretion to allow or deny them if they weren't scheduled. I've never had a problem with CMC getting them once I've ascertained no one else was using them or only one person was off. Another issue would be people on the boards to cover the vacancy. Just because someone wants them at their convenience doesn't mean anything. As for working OT give me a break quit complaining because mean ole'CSX forces someone to make money. There are thousands out there who'ld like to fill those slots. In fact there are 2100 people furloughed around CSX. Everthing I've read shows it's going to be a long haul to the recovery of business. Be thankful you have a job in this market. I recieved an email yesterday concerning people who were terminated and the final appeals notices. It wasn't good 9 out of 11 terminations were upheld which means their gone for good. Keep your nose clean and go with the flow it's going to be one hell of a ride.

Name: TRUTH-NO LIES E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 28 October 2009 CSX Sux is the correct name for the local Russel, Kentucky roundhouse, Raceland Yards, and Huntington Repair Shop in Huntington, WV. The bald headed sucker that does the hiring really looks and acts like he is straight from Russia. He walks into interviews like he is being bothered to see you and thinks his shit don't stink. Unless your last name is one of his sucks your family will never have the opportunity to be able to work for the railroad. Experience and schooling does not mean anything with CSX in the Tri-State Area of Ashland, ky / Ironton, Ohio / and Huntington, Wv. I hope the Russian gets his one day as all people do. The railroad in our area really sux as they have leaks in tank cars in the Raceland yard and causes business to shut down and don't bother to pay the local businees employees or loss of busniess due to their stupdiness and no concern for human life. The big shot Mr. Russian bald head run around like he was trying to hide the mess he created. The local news media did let it get out after people in the local cities of raceland, worthington, and wurtland was evacuated and local business was close. SHAME ON CSX for not leaving a man in control of this area of the railroad who has no concern for the people living in the area near the railroad. I have lived here for 56 years and it is the worst I have ever seen it. CSX REALLY DOES SUCK!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 10-20 years Posted: 25 October 2009 They will not approve your personel days or vacation. They make you work 2 to 3 days a week of overtime with out a choice. Your request paid time off, the answer is no. You lay off sick, account you have to be off. Your at step one,two, three. They have all kinds of furloughed employees, who they say want to work. They fire you account you have several years of service and are entitledt to Vacation, Personal days. The economy sucks, they cut jobs off. Twelve months ago they couldnt get enough people who were willing to work for a company that was trying to fire you every time they turn around, becaue Tony Ingram Told your supervisor they had a Quota on how many people they had to fail on O-Test a month. This is the only fortune 500 company who try to fire all of the employee's that make they company run. Its not the CEO or Ingram, that keeps the Railroad running. When they are in trouble who do they turn to there employee's to solve there problem. But never reward them all ways punish them. They need new people running the show not ward, ingram and all there freinds on the Board.

Name: Red E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 21 October 2009 Hey Russell Conductor, I woundnt be worried about the restriction of senority of on Russell I2 jobs at Hinton, I would be worried about why their putting your jobs on at some place other then your home terminal! Makes a lot of since for the company to add jobs at terminal 167 miles away from your home. They are hoping you Russell guys dont take them. That way both Hinton and Russell crews lose and CSX wins like always.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 19 October 2009 October 18, 2009 & CSX still SUCKS! Cheap Skate Xpress

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 18 October 2009 Anybody know why they are restictin Russell senority on the I2 pooles at Hinton when the contract clearly says Russell men have first rights to them. Labor Relations told me that there is a magic number on the roster and that number is 2214 so if you younger than than your not allowed to mark up on them but if your older you can. What the hell, does senority even matter who cares if I'm younger thatn that if a older man wants the job then he will kick me.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 October 2009 CSX Blow In one way your right after someone leaves their forgotten. I've been off on a medical for 3 1/2 months maybe I'm fortunate but quite a few of my fellow co-workers check on me every week. The biggest change not one CSX official has called to see how I'm doing. Recently I went to a C&O Retirees lunch there were 4 retired trainmasters all of whom I greatly respect. Back in their days they knew everyone who worked on their subdivision or yard they cared. When I did the "face to face" rules class early this year it was the first time I met the TM for the subdivision I worked on he had been the TM for well over a year. Times have changed for the worse.

Name: robofuq E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 16 October 2009 First of all, I agree that when the company implements rules that override existing agreements it is horseshit. That being said, they make the rules, like them or not. They also have the power to take away your paycheck if rules are not followed. You lost your job because you can't be bothered to go to work, and now you want sympathy? Sorry, I'm fresh out. After 6 years with no layoffs, I watched as hundreds of my brothers, in all crafts, lost their jobs when Frontier yard was closed, myself included. I don't want to see anyone get fired, and I hope you get your job back. In the meantime, get a taste of what else is out there. I think you'll find that 60k a year jobs are not falling off trees.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 16 October 2009 Hey Unemployment Insurance: It's an Oyster alright...a mountain Oyster!

Name: CSX Blow E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 15 October 2009 To Unemployment Insurance : Your response was : Now I'm collecting Unemployment looking for another job, waiting on appeals and arbritration. None of my Union "brothers" seem to care... Haven't received a phone call yet :o( Well, I've got news for you in which you found out the hard way. Nobody, AND I MAN NOBODY on the railroad gives a crap about you or the next man. They are all in it for theirselves out here which is a real cry and shame because the conductors I work with hold my job in their hands just like they count on me to come to be responsible. That's just the way it is out here. Like I said, I hate you had to find out the hard way.

Name: Unemployment Insurance E-mail: VL2@TMO.Blackberry.NET Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 15 October 2009 I'm just laughing at the 666 engine on the homepage. Are there two of those kinds? Because I thought it was a wide body!? The accident displayed explains why I haven't seen that engine in awhile :o)

Name: Unemployment Insurance E-mail: VL2@TMO.Blackberry.NET Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 15 October 2009 @ "Shame on Lloyd" and "Shame on you CSX" (the same person lol). This is my first time on this site and your words have inspired me and lifted up my bad mood :o) You are truly a free man with a free spirit. And I can agree with you that not to many railroaders are brave enough to make the decision you made. I'm still a fairly young Man and learning, the world is my oyster... Peace.

Name: Unemployment Insurance E-mail: VL2@TMO.Blackberry.NET Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 15 October 2009 That level 3 in the attendance policy is a motha effer... (How do u fight it?) I don't even think it's in the collective bargaining agreement. But they do what they want... The F'd up thing about it is that guys who are getting dismissed now will not benefit from the new agreement that's going to wipe everybodies slate clean and if you get in trouble again it will wipe out again with 6months good behavior. Wish I had that benefit, sucks to be me. :o( Now I'm collecting Unemployment looking for another job, waiting on appeals and arbritration. None of my Union "brothers" seem to care... Haven't received a phone call yet :o(

Name: dillweed E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 12 October 2009 CSX sucks almost as bad as the Unions that they own. I don't care if it is BLE or UTU- they both suck CSX D. and they both screw the Union members. I guess the RR used to be a decent job. Those days are long gone by. With the FRA hos laws in place, they have pretty much capped our pay. F all the BS.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 12 October 2009 Hey Ninja: Retire and become a gentleman of leisure or hit the Powerball!

Name: No Work (Ninja) E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 1-10 years Posted: 11 October 2009 Well TM offered a 30 Day waiver for suspension, and I am going to take it...but now that I still have a job...what are some tricks and tips I can use to get the time off I need without getting jammed up in the attendance policy?

Name: retired E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 10 October 2009 to the person who is in step three for not working. If you have let it get this for then you need to be terminated and let the people that is cut off go to work that wants too and need to make a living. find you another job that has all the off days you need and let someone else work. the r.r. is a job that works seven days a week all hrs of the day enjoy your off time now like i do.

Name: Cee E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 09 October 2009 You're fucked. Level three is too late.

Name: No Work E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 1-10 years Posted: 09 October 2009 CEE, What is the secret? any word of advice for a Brother? (Have investigation for not working enough, next week, TM says its a "step 3"?)

Name: Cee E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 09 October 2009 I miss very little with the family. It is a game. My co workers bitch and snicker behind my back. I have been in attendance handling nearly constantly for 10 years. You learn the attendance policy and how to stay ahead of it. You make a choice to either be CSX's bitch or you make a choice not to. It's that simple.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 October 2009 Hey Amanda: If your fiance is smart enough to figure how to get every day off he needs, he's in the wrong career...he should be the Emperor of the know and unknown universe! CSX has over the last 5 or 6 years shut down the system on Thanksgiving and Christmas to allow the employees to enjoy the holiday with their families. If he plays games marking up on jobs he knows he can't hold just to get rolled off it for a off day, he's just kidding you and him self. I think he is a new hire with less than a couple of years and just blowing smoke up your skirt. If you don't believe me, just marry him and see how much time he really has off...it will all be personal leave days or daily vacation days which is only about 13 days the first few years. Everything else is AWOL and subject to attendance handling!

Name: Amanda E-mail: hugnkiss419@hotmail.com Employed as: Friend or family of employee, for Less than 1 year Posted: 08 October 2009 I'm sorry but for an employer to pay an employee to sit at the house and just be "available" and still see a $1200 (after taxes) pay check should be able to handle the rules of the game. If you don't like getting paid to sit at home and do fucking nothing then don't work for CSX. When my fiance was picked to go to CSX school he was told we are now your wife, kids, mother,father, and etc. don't expect to be off for every event that your family has. My fiance has never missed a christmas or thanksgiving holiday because unlike you he knows how to call and say what is available for me to mark up on and usually he will pick the job that allows him to have the day off he needs. Most jobs do not gaurantee you time off for every event in your life. I work 5 days a week 8-4:30 and I have had to work on days when I would like to be off.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 06 October 2009 Wow Eng 1-10 I must have hit a real soft spot with you. Let me clarify my words more carefully before you go off on a damn rant again. First of all, there is nothing cowardly about me sir. I've only noticed you post one thing on this site (or so I know of) and I've been posting on here for at least a couple of years. If you want to quit, that is your call, but if you got treated like you said you did then you should do something about it. I'm sure everyone has their own definition of what a coward is but here is mine. Someone who lets people get the best of them. Someone who tuck tails and runs away from their problems. Someone who is afraid to speak out against what is wrong. I've said on this site a hundred times if another great opportunity came I'd leave in a heartbeat but I wouldn't leave without speaking my mind first. Oh and another thing, good for you for leaving. Maybe you had another great opportunity or you don't have children to support, or you got another job with good benefits and you have time off on the weekends. Why be contrary though? You come on here one day and talk about why you leave and all the things you can't stand about this company and then you come back and praise it for all it has done for you? Sounds like you quit and are already regretting it. I might absolutely detest this company for what it is but I still love the job I do. So maybe its shame on me for staying and bitching, or maybe its shame on you for quitting and killing your retirement plan. You can look at it however you want, but as long as this site exists, I'll bitch anytime I feel like it and you can either scroll down, or read and respond.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 October 2009 You did the best thing for you. I wouldn't cast judgement on those who'll stick it out with the railroad just like no one should judge your decision. The railroad has never been for everyone. It takes a lot of dedication and sacrifice even in good times. People overlook the bad times if their making money. Once times get rough it's everyone elses fault.

Name: Shame on Lloyd. E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 06 October 2009 Dear Lloyd, I believe it is you, not me, that has the score of CSX 1, you 0. You are the one staying at CSX, filled with hate. You personally would never do the things you suggested to me. No, you incite, bitch and moan about where you work. You sir, are nothing more than a lemming, doing what you are told, at the minimum effort you can muster. You are a miserable man filled with hate. 30 years of going to a job you hate, and with people you hate is such a waste. I pity you. I made a decision to leave and you tell me how I should screw over a company that paid me 446,548.16 over 10 years. You tell me that beacause you don't have the courage to do those things your self. I found the courage to leave thru family, friends and myself. I wonder if you have that type of support, I doubt it. If you did you still would not have the courage to leave. You live in the land of OZ.....as the Scarecrow you reveal that you lack a brain. As a Cowardly Lion your fear makes you inadequate. You do not understand that courage means acting in the face of fear. As the Woodsman, you lack the heart to use your axe for good purposes. Only using it to chop other people and thier decisions down. Did I have bad days on the RR, yes. Did I have good days on the RR, yes. I had reached the pinnacle of what I was going to do for 20 more years. Well there are many ways to be happy and make money, other than being a serf to a self serving managment. Everyone has free will to make choices,and then act on them. I made mine and you critize me, unbelievable. You sir, have made a decision to be a serf. If you are happy with it then so be it. Can't you be happy for someone that isn't a serf?

Name: Dead Peasant E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 1-10 years Posted: 04 October 2009 http://jonathanturley.org/2009/02/25/peasant-uprising-widow-sues-late-husbands-employer-over-dead-peasant-insurance-policy/ "the employer of her late husband Daniel Johnson was to receive $1.6 million after his death under a practice known in the industry as a “dead peasant” insurance policy. Under this common practice, employers take out life insurance on employees and write off the payments as a business expense. They then collect a windfall when one of the “peasants” die." CSX do this?

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 1-10 years Posted: 02 October 2009 Hey Eng 1-10, I think you made a big mistake and you let the company win. If you were going to quit anyway you should at least go out with a bang and either try and organize some people who had your same thought process or punched one of the trainmasters who treated you like scum. Hell, why not even expose them for what they are doing where you are at by giving other employees interviews and asking them how they feel about the company. They have it coming and when I finally see it on television I'll laugh my ass off because this is a new generation of youtube and exposing terrible companies. Someone will be the first to do it, might as well be you right? Right now its CSX 1, you 0.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Friend or family of employee, for 1-10 years Posted: 02 October 2009 Damn. Must have worked on the Florence Division!!

Name: Shame on you CSX E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 02 October 2009 Dear CSX management, I have resigned my postion with you. I know my traimasters, and the corporation could care less. When a drunk traimaster with as erious problem calls you on your rest day at 3 am to yell at you, not once but twice, It time to consdir leaving. I made my decision after a terminal manager back the traimaster and not me. There is not one supervisor that has a spine at CSX. I ueuss when you go to TM school, you sign a release to relinquish your mind, heart, and soul. Oh and any compassion you might have. That is why I left. In 9 years of working there, not once was I given a thank you. I used my cell phone to move my train. I showed up early to make sure that my conductor and I had proper paperwork. I did not get paid for that time, It was my choice.I did everything safely, and on time. I understand the unions are deep in your pockets and vise versa. You say you want us to work by safety rules everyday. Then you send spies to watch us. So, the company doesn't trust its employees to do the right thing. God forbide if you do something out of the ordinary. The spies don't tell you, just send a letter. In my records, I was observed on days I didn't work and failed some obscure rule. That's your trainmasters, RFE's setting the example. Tm's will lie about on time departures, as I have personally been late leaving the terminal, only to find out, on paper I was on time. Once there was a 2 hour difference. I have no respect for liars and the thieves in the union. They have sold everything I and many men before me worked hard for. The BLE and UTU have made secret handshakes behind closed doors. Top union officals are elected and don't have a pot to piss in. Funny when they leave they are very very wealthy. I wonder why? and how that can be. Between management,the unions, they have taken every thing from me. But they didn't take my soul, work ethic, and morals. Thats all I have left, my own morals, work ethic and self repect.CSX has tried to take all that away from me and others. I refuse to compromise. I have no idea what I will do. All I know is i have moved on. I am trying very hard to get the taste of crap that CSX tried to shove down me. I thank the good people that took time to show me how to railroad. I will never forget them. The rest of you, I hope there is a special place in hell for you. I have seen the hell at called CSX, and therefore I say goodbye.

Name: Thanks for Nothing E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 29 September 2009 There is a lot of truth in this site. I tried for over a year to get a career started with CSX through two testing sessions and two job interviews. The jobs was for the Russell roundhouse and the Russell yard. Both were a waste of my time and theirs as it was all a put on for the public. Mr. Skinhead (the top management offical) was very obnoxious and acted as if he was retarded. During the interviews he acted like it was a bother for him to be there. Of course it was as he knew who was going to get the jobs. The very people that are complaining about working. I was willing to work any shift any hour and start with a forward look to a new career with responsibility. But instead I was treated like I was a crimminal and wasting his time for showing up to take a test he probably can't pass and never saw as he probably had the inside track for his job. I was at first disppointed that I didn't get a career to enjoy but after I found out how the positions were filled I jumped with joy. Whoever you knew the most in top management at CSX got you the job, not on your skills that could be used for the commpany's interest. Well Mr. Skinhead I hope you enjoy the people you hired and get everything coming to you. I hope the company sees the truth in you and puts you on skidrow where you belong. No wonder people are complaining if all CSX management likes the look of you.

Name: Lefty E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 10-20 years Posted: 24 September 2009 Lord suck. Can you give us some suck heisman hopefuls like jack vierlings reach Round move he does for frulla or let's see how about rob brownells keg stand at the Csx safety stand down. Woops forgot what they told me about drinking and driving ......... Mr pendergrass what are those blue lights flashing for ? Is thAt a breThaluzer or are they just glad ro see me

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 24 September 2009 It sure is nice to mark off safety and collect good money for not doing squat. The only down side is I have to kiss the trainamster's ass to mark off, but man it sure beats working.

Name: Lord SuckaLot E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 20-30 years Posted: 24 September 2009 Fool. Its not me. Executive SuckaLots would never do such a disgusting underhanded thing like impersonating a Union Monkey. It is beneath our dignity, and our CLASS rank. Go now, be humble, do what you monkies do - pick your nose or scratch your butt or mate or something. Your Executive Head Master, LORD SUCKALOT King of CSX Suckdome CSX Executive Haidmaiden to God Triple Sex Sickma Kung Foo Master Pink Belt Neon Red Illuminati 35th Rank Supreme Ass Kisser

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 20-30 years Posted: 23 September 2009 OK! I see you like to my screen name. I wonder if you are Man enough to come out and give us your real name! You can play all the games you want, but you are starting to bore the he'll out of me. I am starting to beleive this is Suckassalot that is using my name. After all only he would come up with constant anal penetration. Come on now GET A LIFE! Go play with Bonzo your wife and use your own screen name! You are nothing but a Fucking loser- What Happened to you while you were growing up? I wonder that your mother didn't give you the hugs & kisses, did she spike you on the floor like a football or did she let your father, uncles and their friends & neighbors molest you! I could go on but your not even worth it, life is short just like yourself with nobody wants to be your friend you are what other people would call a No Life Hermit. What is your pupose in life? Why do you choose to try & Fuck with my name and post your Bullshit! Forget it you FUCKING JUNGLE CRICKET!

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 10-20 years Posted: 23 September 2009 Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. We here at CSX do really not appreciate your concerns of Safety, Behaviors of Train Masters, and other Supervision Personnel. I am going to launch a missle into these concerns. I have also created a more aggressive team of Nazi Investigators headed by the recreated Home Office of the Mobile Officer I. (HOMO I). This Office will Investigat all the Claims that were posted here and forward the results to the proper Personnel for interrogation and torture, and will stick a spike up your ass. HOMO I will also Ignore all alledged white collar crime and thoroughly investigate all union thefts that have been increasing of CSX Property. There will be a change of Command so there will be total confusion such the CSX Police will no longer fall under Stupidity and Lackies- They will be deployed under the new name of Honor Organization Mobile Offfice II (HOMO II) Units this Unit will fall under the Un-enforcement Arm of HOMO I. The Newly created HOMO I Office of the HOMO II mployees are Sworn Nazi Enforcement Whores of Transporation Surrogates (NEWTS) Federal Commishoned Special Agents. I must inform all Employees that the Newly created Office is unlike the CSX Police. They are Naked Homo Special Agents they can be Identified by their issued Fig Leaves and rusty spikes just for Suckassalot. If encountered by a Naked Agent you are to give full compliance (bend over) or face formal Discipline Charges. The Office of the HOMO will also Investigate all baseless Threats, Racial Descrimination, Etc. CSX has an absolute Tolerence Policy for Work Place Violence, Racial Discrimination and Sexual Fornication. All Reports, including videos and pictures, will be forwarded to myself for my personal private review and will be dealt with accordingly. This can or will lead up to Promotion and Six Sigma training for any managment personnel, and Termination and Criminal Charges on any union employee violators. The Selection Process has already started with a few members in here by utilyzing their Information Provided and their Home HTML Connections, such as NoMo, RRJ, Lloyd, Suckassalot, Sam the Slave, Binheer2long, Goober, and many others. I am Pleased to Provide an Extra layer of Protection on our Dedicated Managers and Supervisors, and stick spikes up the asses of jackoffs like suckassalot. I would like to Thank You for taking out time to read this Announcement. Have a very Safe Day. M. Ward All stupid Employees are Required to have your CSX Idetification visable at all times while on Company Property.

Name: Mike Ward E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 23 September 2009 Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. We here at CSX do really appreciate your concerns of; Safety, Behaviors of Train Masters, and other Supervision Personnel. I am going to launch a Investigation into these concerns. I have also created a more aggressive team of Investigators headed by the recreated Office of the Inspector General (OIG). This Office will Investigat all the Claims that were posted here and forward the results to the proper Personnel. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) will also Investigate all alledged white collar crime as well as Thefts that have been increasing of CSX Property. There will be a chain of Command so there will be no confusion such the CSX Police will no longer fall under Security and Safety- They will be deployed under the new name of Mobile Tactical Units this Unit will fall under as the Enforcement Arm of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The Newly created Office of the Inspector General(OIG) Employees are Sworn Law Enforcement Officials (LEO) Federal Commishoned Special Agents. I must inform all Employees that the Newly created Office is unlike the CSX Police. They are Plain Clothed Special Agents they can be Identified by their issued Credentials and Badge. If encountered by a Special Agent you are to give full compliance or face formal Discipline Charges. The Office of the Inspector General(OIG) will also Investigate all Threats, Racial Descrimination, Etc. CSX has a Zero Tolerence Policy for Work Place Violence and Racial Discrimination. All Reports will be forwarded to myself for review and be dealt with accordingly. This can or will lead up to Termination and Criminal Charges on any violators. The Selection Process has already started with a few members in here by utilyzing their Information Provided and their Home HTML Connections. I am Pleased to Provide an Extra layer of Protection on our Dedicated Employees. I would like to Thank You for taking out time to read this Announcement. Have a very Safe Day. M. Ward All Employees are Required to have your CSX Idetification visable at all times while on Company Property.

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 20-30 years Posted: 22 September 2009 Why dont no one respond to my post? Are you all deaf AND dumb? I see why nothing on safety gets done on the railroad it is because all you morons have spikes up your asses just like suckassalot the homo. Don' t waste any more of my time with your Kaos bullshit or I will find you and stick creosote up your ass and set your ass on fire.

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 20-30 years Posted: 19 September 2009 HELLO, HELLO! Safety Strike , Nomo & Others ! Have you even read what I POSTED! Damn you guys are Ignorant or Blind! I have said that we do have the right to REFUSE! Any job that can or will put us in harms way! We are all Granted this Right under the FRA. Why are we bitching when there is a route there already! The Company can not retaliate against you! Once you excercise you right to Refuse! No.1, Document the Situation and have witnesses sign it. If no witness is there then document it yourself! Try to Excersise this right with the proper Supervision! If nothing is done then Report it to the FRA! Point Blank This is our Rights that you may not know of or the Company hides from you! I am tired of hearing the Bitching! We have our Rights so let's use them! The Company can tell us 1 Thing but it is up to the FRA that throws in the Final Ruling!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 18 September 2009 HOMOPHOBIC BIGOTRY....

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 20-30 years Posted: 18 September 2009 Hey Suckassalot, The only thing I would like to scream is YOU when I find out who you are! A Bitch can run but can't hide forever. Your name will be found out & I will be more than happy to share it here! Your days are running out you Bitch Ass Homo.

Name: Lord SuckaLot E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 17 September 2009 Monkey Boys, Your next assignment: http://www.stinalisa.com/HokeyPokey.html Love and Kisses, Lord SuckaLot CSX Executive Handmaiden to God

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 20-30 years Posted: 17 September 2009 How I would love to drive a spike between the eyes of suckassalot! There is only word to describe sirsuckassalot & that is 100% LOSER! Too much time on his hands to be any kind of Employee! So here is some words of advice you, Monkey! Sit back & read but don't post you should enjoy it while you choke on a banana! Turn red & blue then just Die! You will not be missed at all. Nobody ever misses an asshole such as yourself! I wonder are you enjoying yourself or are you really that bored? It's time to seperate the Idiots from the Men! How could you call yourself a real man, after all you admit that you are a Flaming Homo! I guess your mother is proud of her long lost little girl! Now I must admit I was against abortions but after reading your posts you are mainly 1 that escaped! This dosen't at all excuse you! Please just let me find out who you are, I will eventually find out it dosen't take a rocket scientist either. A Monkey that you are will try to avoid detection after all that's a Monkey's natural defense. You are definetly overdue for a confrontation! I don't care what you try to respond back with. A mind is a shameful thing to waste, but as we can tell your mind is Gone! Now as for a comeback it is way to late! Once a Retard always a Retard that there is no if's or but's about it. So go Fuck Your own Monkey Ass! Obey this as if were M. Wards Directive. Remember Managers like to obey & not to disapoint a Directive, you are sure a run in a mil along with the other Suck Ups in Management!

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 20-30 years Posted: 14 September 2009 CSX TRANSPORTATION " How We Move to Destroy Jobs and the Work Forces " NEW JOB POSTING CSX HEADQUARTERS Jacksonville, FL. TITLE: HEAD MASTER SALARY: VARIES $4.50 HR - Access Card Deposited HOURS: M - F WITH MADNATORY WEEKENDS. HOURS: 7A- 3P BUT SUBJECT TO 24 HOUR RULES. DUTIES: Wipe the Asses of all of Senior Mangement. This includes and is not limited of using your tounge in place of toilet paper. Computer skills are not required, a pencil and paper is acceptable since the price of printer ink is outrageous. Must be an Alcohol or Narcotics user at all times. Must at all times think that you are better than all Unionized Employees. QUALIFICATIONS - Pre School Dropout, No Common Sense, Drools, Basic Math, Writing. RETARDS will Be the first prefence with an additional 5500 Points. College Degrees will place in last prefence with -2500 Points. This job was created for a Brown Noser who's Name is suckalot! All others Need Not Apply.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 20-30 years Posted: 14 September 2009 Lord suck a lot....a person who thinks he/she is clever, witty, etc. How sad that one who obviously suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder does not see what a fool he/she is - of course those who suffer from the disorder never see themselves for what they are. Lord Suck - you need help.

Name: Madman E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 20-30 years Posted: 13 September 2009 My oh my, Suckalot talks alot of shit! Corporate idiots are chosen and hired by the severity of retardation,isn't this correct suckassalot! The Corporation seems to be looking for a handout from the Government point blank. How much money was wasted to buy Conrail! This was a failure that is being shoved on the employees by forms of furloghs. Too bad people want to joke around with somebody's livelyhood. It does not suprise me that he talks about knob polishing, such a flaming Homosexual. I bet he's into child porn also. The way he tries to be creative is a waste of talent that makes it no wonder that he does work in Corporate. I have to ask that will he e er admit his real name or is he such a coward and continue to hide and post stupid comments! I am not even going to put myself through this Bullshit. I have better things to do instead of trying to make out his useless comments. Hello suckassalot, you must have plenty of time on your hands, I know you must be Furloghed yourself! The RRB Unemployment sucks dosen't it you have to sit there and wait for your pay every 2 weeks. The Corporate side isn't anymore protected than a tick on a dog's ass. I have seen Managers come and go for years now and it dosen't bother me one bit. As for you a speck in a Corporate world change can happen over night, in our world we can just bump, transfer etc. and still have a job. CSX Sucks dosen't it that they hired just to fire you. What a waste of a college degree just to wind up unemployed. So you can continue your useless life by posting all the dumb comments you want! but just remember we are the backbone of this pathetic corporation. Madman the Enemy of all Corporations

Name: Binheer2long E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 11 September 2009 Lloyd, While you are on the union thing, one of my dispatchers told me that the dispatchers union HQ is moving out of the BLE building in Cleveland and bought one of there own. Surely the BLE did not kick them out, I heard they were paying $5000 per month for office space and the privlege of using the ATDD/BLE logo! She said this was published this week in the Train Dispatcher rag with only the usual BS for a reason. She went on to inform me that the merge of the ATDA and the BLE was never formally signed! Then she really blew me away when (Lord Suck-a-tash will like this one) she said the ATDA boss could, "Suck start a Harley". Any of you Dispatchers out there got any good scuttle on this one? Hell, we needed the money!

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 11 September 2009 Hey conductor 1-10 don't get your panties in a wad yet, I've got more comments for the guys in Selkirk. While I don't think every guy up there is a complete puss, I think you guys are the ones with the power to make a stand, not your god damn union. You think your union will stand up to the company? Give me a damn break man! It takes a group of people with a common goal to make a statement and you guys failed to do that. I'm not putting the blame on the men up there for Jerod's death but I did challenge you guys to do something about it on this site and from what I heard little or nothing was done. You guys had ample opportunity to call off a day or make it clear to CSX that you weren't going to stand for anymore of their shit and you all failed. Once again, I don't want to shift all blame on everyone because I'm sure some tried to make a statement. I guess some men will live there whole lives being the scared little bitches they are but some of us have balls. If my friend was murdered from an act of stupidity by a supervisor you bet your ass I'd do something about it. CSX can claim it was his own fault all day but we all know guys shouldn't be running remote operations by themselves. These mother fuckers literally get away with murder and we all sit idly by and do absolutely nothing and better yet..our UNIONS do absolutely NOTHING!! Sorry conductor 1-10, you hit a nerve with me and until someone takes a stand for what happened up there, I'll continue to feel the way I do. Be a fucking man and make it happen...for Jerod's sake.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 11 September 2009 In response to the comments about union brothers sticking together in selkirk,We do stick together their,but it was the General Chairman Dick McVeen who did'nt do shit about anything except sit on his old rotton ass out in western NY on the local level , they stick together pretty good any time their is a problem my vice local chairman always returns their phone calls and at least makes a effort to always help his fellow union brothers in the yard.Hopefully the general chairman will get voted out in the future so things mightbe different but until that happens we have to stick together in the yard.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 11 September 2009 CSX Intermodul is different then the railroad operations. Like NoMo stated you could go to your local chairmen from the TCU and see about a leave of absence. I wouldn't go in stating you need it to look for another job. Tell them you're thinking about going back to school. Years ago we were allowed to collect unemployment for days not worked. If we only worked 7 days in two weeks we collected 3 days unemployment benefits. This was before the railroad an unions negotiated gaurentees for extra boards. That might be an option to check in to for supplementing your income. Are you under railroad retirement system or the state of Florida for unemployment benefits? I've been out of the Social Security or state unemployment system for so long I haven't a clue how they work. It seems it would be fair to give someone who is employed fulltime but because of economic situations not getting at least 40 hours per week the right to have a supplemental income till times get better. Are you on call 24/7 or do fill in for shift work? Just curious about the possibility of a second job.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 10 September 2009 If your furloughed you don't need a leave of absence; if you're not, have you filled out the appropriate paperwork?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Employed in other capacity, for 1-10 years Posted: 10 September 2009 Why cant I have a leave of absence to find another job? If work is so far down, why cant I take 6 months to work full time somewhere else? Oh and the raise was $.08 A DAY! Thats $.01 an hour!!!!!!!!!!

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 08 September 2009 I say screw it all and take a vacation. Life is short. The Selkirks and Corbins will always be around - dont worry, everytime someone is killed a vacancy transfer pops up so there will be opportunities to transfer when you get back from the Bahamas.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 08 September 2009 Yeah Nomo, those guys in Selkirk really stuck together on that whole incident with Jerod. What a fucking joke. Thats the worst example of union unity you could come up with. The guy took a direct order from a trainmaster that cost him his life and those guys did nothing that I ever heard about. Yeah, go to Selkirk where your so called union brothers hang you out to dry!!

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 September 2009 Wasn't Jared Boehlke from Selkirk and a member of Local 212 in Albany, N.Y.? I don't remember reading anything Local 212 did to hold CSX's feet to the fire except offer platitudes!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 08 September 2009 Hello friends, I would just like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day! It's September 7, 2009.....Although I hate to say it, CSX Still SUCKS!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 08 September 2009 Go to Selkirk, the guys stick together! Selkirk is just about the only terminal that has a real union theses days.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 September 2009 Go for it. If it was me I'd choose Kentucky compared to New York. Cost of living is less expensive and Corbin sounds like a nice place to live. There are plenty of outdoor activities in the area.

Name: ME E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 06 September 2009 I got this the other day please tell what should i do?? PERMANENT TRANSFER TO CORBIN/LOYALL, KY OR SELKIRK, NY THE COMPANY IS OFFERING TO ALL CSXT TRAIN SERVICE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN ACTIVE SERVICE ON AUGUST 27, 2009, ON THE DATE OF THIS BULLETIN, (INCLUDING FURLOUGHED STATUS) AT THE ABOVE CSXT LOCATIONS LISTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERMANENTLY TRANSFER TO CORBIN/LOYALL, KY OR SELKIRK, NY. VACANCIES BEING FILLED BY THIS TRANSFER NOTICE: LOCATION DISTRICT CORBIN/LOYALL, KY L&N CONSOLIDATED KENTUCKY SELKIRK, NY CR NORTHERN CONSISTENT WITH THE NEEDS OF SERVICE, CSXT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RESTRICT THE LOCATIONS TRAINMEN ARE SELECTED FROM, AND TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TRANSFERS WHICH WILL BE GRANTED. APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM CSXT TRAIN SERVICE EMPLOYEE IN ACTIVE SERVICE (INCLUDING FURLOUGHED STATUS) FROM ALL LOCATIONS AND FROM THE CLASS OF SERVICE SPECIFIED. APPLICANTS MUST BE APPLYING FOR A MOVE OUTSIDE OF THEIR CURRENT SENIORITY DISTRICT. APPLICANTS WILL BE SELECTED BY LOCATION IN SENIORITY ORDER. HOWEVER, THE CARRIER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT APPLICANTS IF THEY HAVE ANY FORMAL DISCIPLINE ASSESSED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS UNDER EITHER IDPAP OR THE ABSENTEEISM POLICY. TRAINMEN WHO ACCEPT THIS OFFER WILL FORFEIT HIS/HER CURRENT SENIORITY AND WILL CONTINUE AT PRESENT RATE PROGRESSION LEVEL FOR PAY PURPOSES AND VACATION ENTITLEMENTS ONLY ON THE NEW DISTRICT. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT TRANSFER: 1. RELINQUISH ALL OPERATING CRAFT SENIORITY, INCLUDING CONDUCTOR/ TRAINMEN, ENGINEER/FIREMEN AND YARDMASTER. 2. ESTABLISH TRAINMAN'S SENIORITY AT THE NEW TERRITORY UPON THE FIRST DATE OF QUALIFYING ON THE NEW TERRITORY AND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROSTER AND BEHIND ANY CURRENT TRAINEES. 3. RETAIN YEARS OF SERVICE FOR VACATION ENTITLEMENTS. 4. BE PAID TO QUALIFY ON THE NEW TERRITORY FOR UP TO 30 DAYS. 5. RECEIVE ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION PER THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE; $1,000 UPON PROOF OF ARRIVING AT THE NEW LOCATION $2,000 UPON QUALIFYING ON THE NEW TERRITORY $4,000 12 MONTHS AFTER QUALIFYING $3,000 24 MONTHS AFTER QUALIFYING 6. APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR TRANSFER MUST REMAIN AT THE LOCATION THEY ARE CHOSEN FOR, SENIORITY PERMITTING, FOR TWO (2) YEARS. DURING THE TWO YEAR PERIOD, THE EXERCISING OF SENIORITY TO ANOTHER CONSOLIDATED SENIORITY DISTRICT LOCATION IS ONLY PERMISSIBLE WHEN AN APPLICANT'S SENIORITY DOES NOT PERMIT THEM TO REMAIN EMPLOYED AT THE INITIAL SUPPLY POINT. 7. REPORT TO THE NEW LOCATION WITHIN 10 DAYS OF NOTIFICATION. 8. IF A VOLUNTARY SEPARATION PROGRAM IS OFFERED IN YOUR NEW SENIORITY DISTRICT AT SOME FUTURE DATE AND YOU REQUEST SEPARATION (AND SUCH REQUEST IS ACCEPTED BY THE COMPANY), THE COMPANY MAY DEDUCT ALL TRANSFER PAYMENTS RECEIVED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FROM SUCH FUTURE SEPARATION AGREEMENT. 9. BE PROVIDED MEAL ALLOWANCE (NOT TO EXCEED $12.00 PER DAY) AND COMPANY PROVIDED LODGING FOR THIRTY (30) DAYS. 10.BE ENTITLED TO CARRIER-PROVIDED LODGING FOR 30 DAYS. LODGING AT THE AWAY TERMINALS WILL BE PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE LABOR AGREEMENT. NOTE: IN THE EVENT AN EMPLOYEE RECEIVES THE BENEFITS UNDER THIS NOTICE AND DOES NOT REMAIN AT THE LOCATION TO WHICH HE TRANSFERRED BY HIS OWN ELECTION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS, HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE THE COMPANY FOR THE MONETARY TRANSFER ALLOWANCES PAID TO HIM.

Name: Lord SuckaLot E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 06 September 2009 My Dearest Employed in other capacity, for 1-10 years (name withheld for fear of being persecuted)... First, let me congratulate you on behalf of CSX Intermodal on a job well done. Without you hard working stiffs out there humpin those pigs we here at CSX executive headquarters would have to hire illegal Mexicans to do your work - so basicly you and others like you saved our ass from the Feds. For that we would never, ever, persecute you. Trust me. We certainly think highly of you. So high in fact, that we have special one way tickets for you to see St. Paul at the Pearly Gates. Oh, well wait a minute...that applies only if you die on the job, which probably will eventually happen anyway. It is a shame that you have not worked but 40 hours since June 15th, but we are in a recession in case you haven't heard - not our fault you cant read. And not our fault you took the job. Bwaaahahahahaha, you moron. Yes, you have to sit around and wait to be called. We Execs call that, 'playin with your pecker time'. That's why we hired you - and why we picked you cause you were being so good to respond to commands like "Sit", "Stay", "Fetch", "Roll Over", "bark". Why else would anyone be so stupid to work for $14 a hour just to get shit canned in less than 30 days? Oh come on. You gotta see the evil humor in it. We do. By the way, do you like bananas? If your gross income was $1100, that's $1,100 more than Charles Manson made sitting in his prison cell. Think about how lucky you are to have made ANY money is this rotten economy. And your bitch'n?!?! Only an ungrateful bastard would bitch about making money. Are you one? Your pay scale is not a lot lower than everyone else in the company. We do have "interns" who work for free at CSX Suck University. If you any good at sucking, you should enroll. You pay only $5,000 to receive the best sucking instructions anywhere in the world. We graduate thousands of ass kissing butt suckers every year, and you could be the next lucky person to have a career in sucking - like me! Oh yes, you may have received 'only' an 8 cent an hour increase last year, but remember: number '8' is a lucky number. Not everyone gets that number. Your special. Not like a wet back. Special like a monkey. Do you like boogers? We do have a shoe shine opening in the Executive Suite, if your interested. There is no pay, but the exposure would do you a world of good - if you know what I mean. (chuckle). In the meantime, have a nice Labor Day, and don't forget to attend our Party of Turkeys for the Blue Collar Class tomarrow at CSX Headquarters on Water Street. Just ask for Lord SuckaLot at the door - the guard will let you in with no problem. See you there! Sincerely, Lord SuckaLot CSX Executive Handmaiden to God and Organizer of the 1ST Annual HQ 2009 Blue Collar Turkey n' Beer Party.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 05 September 2009 If you want to push back, you can take up to 30 days after displacement to mark up. Talk to the GC. After 30 days you are removed from the roster.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Employed in other capacity, for 1-10 years Posted: 05 September 2009 I currently work for CSX Intermodal - FL ramp.I do not wish to list which ramp for fear of being persecuted. And I know most of you transportation/maint. guys dont think very highly of "Us". But the fact is we are TCU employees and employed by CSX not some contractors union. I have worked all of about 40 hrs since June 15. So I am supposed to sit around and wait to be called in to work. Gross income since June is about $1100. Another thing I notice is our pay scale is alot lower than the rest of the company. We ISW's only $14.24 an hour. When we work. Last year we received a "Cost of Living" raise that consisted of $.08 A DAY!!!

Name: BoxcarBob @ Dewitt E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 05 September 2009 I am kind of upset that my union is not doing anything about me being charged with absenteeisn while I am off in dispaced status. Anita the truant officer says that if I take my full bump time she can charge my work record with being absent. How can I be charged with being absent if I have a contract right to take the necessary time to make a bump. Sounds like Anita and her crowd are pushing the general chairmen right out of business. I guess we have to call her instead of the GC when we have a question. But then why am I paying those dorks the money for union dues?

Name: Lord SuckaLot E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 04 September 2009 Dear Mr. Ape Man, Your invited to the party, too. I know you hairy baboons are vegetarians and dont eat turkey but we will have plenty of bananas and boogers to go around, enough for you and all the little monkeys in your family. Enjoy! Sincerely, Lord SuckaLot CSX Handmaiden to God

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 04 September 2009 It's September 3, 2009.....and CSX STILL SUCKS!

Name: Lord SuckaLot E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 03 September 2009 Dear Sarah, I am very sorry to hear of your sister's predicament that you believe is caused by CSX. I can assure you we are working on the problem. If you are ever in Jacksonville Florida, please stop in at the CSX Headquarters on Water Street. If you do happen to make it here be sure to stop at the guard's station and sign the Guest Register. Be sure to ask the guard for me by name: Lord SuckaLot (Executive Suite). I will be more than happy to assist you if at all possible. Sincerely, Lord SuckaLot

Name: sara E-mail: saradavies17@msn.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 30 August 2009 Hi there my name is Sara Davies I have just returned from Lakeland Florida USA, appalled at the way CSX are KILLING MY YOUNGER SISTER,??? WE NEED HELP, I HAVE THE FILM WORK AND NOTHING HAPPENS, THE NEXT STEP IS TI SHOW THE WORLD VIA YOU TUBE AND OTHER MEDIA OUTETS.

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 28 August 2009 Dear Sam- As a follow up, as I said I would, I emailed the two lawyers on exposure RT claims and both responded that they have each handled cancer and brain tumor type cases from long term exposure to diesel and other carcinogen cases and would definitely look at taking these type claims. I hope that, with the above, all your inquiries have been answered. Take care, Steve

Name: sam the slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 28 August 2009 I would say attendance would be very poor around cheesy body odor. Some guys dont shower for weeks and you'd think they were rotting corpses except for the snoring. Poor attendance there too.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 10-20 years Posted: 28 August 2009 this site sucks! the people on here are not even talkin' about the subject of attendence? wake up and look at what you all are talking about! they have already won!

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 27 August 2009 Hey Jason: Are body noises the same as farts? The noises aren't nearly as disgusting as the aromas!

Name: JASON E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 20-30 years Posted: 27 August 2009 I am posting this for the new bees who think they have it so tough on the road, When i first hired in the 70,s we had bunk houses to take rest at away from home terminals, Most were run by the YMCA ha ha what a joke that was, A lot of them were set up like army barracks ya know a bunch of guys sleeping in one big room with only a cloth curtain between the bunks, The body noises were discusting to say the least, And the wash rooms were also the same as a army boot camp barracks, 20 sinks in a row and 20 toliets in a row and a the shower room was the same, 1 big room with 20 shower heads so we could all see each other naked,, Yea talk about no personal privacy on the railroad, Well thats how it was ditto, And yes it sucked, I was the most happy person on the rr when they closed those discusting filty rat holes and thats what they were and some did not even have AC..... Yea man good ole railroading at its best???? I should have slept in a box car, At least i would have had some privacy.

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 26 August 2009 Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 25 August 2009 Steve, What would you classify as a "seriously injured" railroad employee? (are you including diseases, psyche, toxic chemical exposure?) Can you give specific examples of particular injuries or cases you have in mind? How does the "loan to seriously injured employees" program work? (what happens if the firm looses at trial?) Has your firm had trial experience? Thanks. Sam ---------------------------- Dear Sam- Thank you for your questions. I will address each of your questions individually. Question:What would you classify as a "seriously injured" railroad employee?(are you including diseases, psyche, toxic chemical exposure?)Can you give specific examples of particular injuries or cases you havein mind? Answer: Quite frankly all the discussions with the two lawyers as to the types of injuries have all been involved around orthopedic injuries in nature and have not involved exposure type situations. After I post this, I will ask them. However, the types of injuries that have been discussed, and that I know they have an expertise in, range from disk herniations to the cervical and/or lumbar spine caused from whole body vibration (WBV); knee & ankle wear and tear from uneven ballast or ballast that should be smaller in size rather than larger; shoulder repetitive trauma seen, for example, in switchmen; and carpal & ulnar (elbow) tunnel syndrome. By the term "seriously injured", it is meant that the person cannot return back to his craft. Question: How does the "loan to seriously injured employees" program work? (what happens if the firm looses at trial?. Answer: In some states, it is permissible for an attorney to actually advance monies to clients while the client's case is pending to pay "necessaries". Necessaries can mean food, shelter, and other staples. In these cases, the lawyers sit down with the client and review the client's bills and there previous income. The advances, in the case of Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. are mad interest free and without recourse. That is, if the client does not receive money from the claim, they have no obligation to pay it back. It is, in essence, considered like all the other expenses put out in the prosecution of the client's case. There is no obligation for a lawyer to do this and the hiring of a lawyer should not be based upon this. It is simply, we believe an added benefit of being a Gordon & Elias client. If the firm loses at trial, there is no obligation to pay it back. It is, in the trues sense: "No recovery....then no fees or expenses are paid". Question: Has your firm had trial experience? Answer: Gordon & Elias has never tried a cumulative case as we have NEVER taken one and, absent these two lawyers, would not begin now. Each of these two lawyers have tried cumulative/repetitive trauma claims in many states and, perhaps more importantly, have successfully handled and settled MANY cumulative cases. For me personally, I have only had to try one FELA case to verdict. As with all personal injury cases, the key to "winning" is working as hard as one can in the "discovery" phase of the case to make the railroad (or whoever the defendant is) believe that, if they go to trial, they will lose and they will lose significantly. IF there is not a reasonable settlement offer, then you should go to trial and make sure to show up sober (Joke!). But, if you work up the case properly, the case should settle. Remember this- "There's never a horse that's never been rode and there's never been a man that's never been throwed". Translation= A reasonable settlement offer should be accepted because you never know what a jury will do for sure. Lawyers that say they have never lost a case at trial, simply (1) have not tried a lot of cases or (2) are lying. I have lost cases I should have won and won cases I should have lost and all in between. The issue with cumulative/trauma claims are that the railroads must take the posture they are BS. Because, if they do not, they are afraid the floodgates of litigation will overcome them. No question the railroads have had "personal" knowledge that, for instance, the engine vibration and the seats cause vibration spinal injuries. The lawyers we have teamed up with have all they relevant documents to prove this and they do not have to "re-invent" the wheel as they were some of the few lawyers that invented the wheel to begin with (at least as to repetitive claims. I hope this email answers your questions. Steve

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 24 August 2009 Dear All- I am proud to announce to you that the our firm has partnered with two totally separate law firms for the sole purpose of handling what is called repetitive or cumulative trauma [RT FELA Claims] FELA claims. Historically, the firm of Gordon & Elias, L.L.P., has only allowed itself to be hired for "one time" FELA traumatic events. This is true for two reasons: (1) First, we have always thought that, if we cannot do the best job possible for the injured worker, then we did not want to allow ourselves to be hired by them. I can tell you the RT FELA claims, even though they are asserted under FELA, are, in fact, very difficult to develop and it is required, in our opinion, to have a level of expertise that we did not have. Some lawyers simply take everything that walks in the door but in the end that does not, we feel anyway, benefit the client; and (2) the client gets what we feel is very important and that is what we call the Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. experience. Specifically, they get the cell phones of the lawyers that are handling their claim and, where ethically permitted to do so, Gordon & Elias advances them money on their case interest free. This is a very large commitment but, we feel, is a necessary commitment so the worker can pay their bills during the pendency of the claim. We have always thought that the most seriously injured claimants want to make a claim but, because of their economic responsibilities, cannot afford to do it. The two lawyers are in separate areas of the United States and that means their experience is each limited to specific railroads. The CSX "expert" is David Lockard and we are exceedingly proud that he has chosen us to work with. We will work with him in all cases where G&E is hired and that will provide, in essence, two law firms on the client's case for the same attorneys' fee as one firm. This, we feel is also a benefit to the client for many obvious reasons. There you have it and if someone has any further questions, please feel free to call me directly at 1-800-773-6770. I hope no one ever needs our services but, if you do, we would respectfully ask that you at least give us a chance to explain why we feel we would be your best choice. Sincerely, Steve Gordon

Name: Jim E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 23 August 2009 You guys are losers. CSX isn't a bad railroad. Every single company in the world (including every single railroad) has its mistakes, flaws, errors, accidents, etc. Why make fun of CSX? They're not bad. If you want to talk about a bad railroad, talk about Canadian National(CN). They have derailments almost weekly and have abandoned 3000 miles of track since 1992. They are also the cause of at least one VIA Rail accident which claimed 2 lives. CN is the one that sucks, not CSX.

Name: average joe E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 22 August 2009 rrj i really dont think i am a racist brother i just know that the job market that i applied in well that town has a collective african amrican count of 3 in the entire population so yes that is why i said the things i did no i got the job and was never called kinda felt like i was all dressed up and no where to go you know so no im not racist until it comes to a large corp. trying to get there affermitave action quetes off of my small town all you guys reading black and white know its an insult to us all if a person gets a job because of their race black people dont want to pull the race card just niggers black people have skills and are just as ashamed as thier nigger counterparts as we white people are of our trailer trash white people all im say is if there was two white guys in bibs interviewing 400+ black men and 2 white men for 2 jobs who do you think they would pick if you were a black man tryin to get a job in a white town that is how i felt they i got the congratulations letter lol well give you a job BULLSHIT so yes csx does suck from tennessee all the fuckin way to lakeland florida

Name: Safety Strike E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 30+ years Posted: 21 August 2009 Labor Day would be the best day to have a Nationwide Safety Strike. The Teamsters will join in. It will be one big Holiday for Labor, and scare the crap out of Wall Street. I get goose bumps just thinkn about it.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 August 2009 First off I never post on every section on this website. I'll make an exception in this case. Average Joe You say you're not racist. You used the "N" word right from the start. You got hired then got furloughed. Join the club. Just about everyone who got hired the past year some have been working longer longer have been furloughed. It's the economy if you couldn't figure that one out seeing you state you have a college degree. No, instead you decided to rant and rave about if more blacks were at that hiring session you wouldn't of got the job. I'm going to repeat something no one wants to read. When a lot of us hired on the railroad we were furloughed at times. Some of us got furloughed on a regular basis because of seasonal business. Some were furloughed for years. It's not a new concept that the railroads have devised like outsourcing and downsizing. It's a matter of waiting your turn to get enough seniority till you can hold a regular job. Nothing hidden in it, it's plain and simple. I guess it's a type of weeding out those who'll stay and be dedicated and those who'll move on. All you did was join the pity party club. Those who feel how unfair it is. Those who wish all those oldheads would retire. Staying on the railroad is up to the individual either they can handle it or not it doesn't make a difference to the railroad. Those that are furloughed the statistics are only 10% will return. Maybe you belong to that club.

Name: average joe E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 02 August 2009 well we all sit back and take it in the ass i got a job with csx back in october and still no fuckin job yeah two niggers interviewed me thank god there were any other brothers there other than them or i wouldnt have even got the fuckin imaginary job offer in the first place so here is what i say fuck affirmative action and fuck csx and all other companies and colleges who discriminate agianst white men and women dont act like you dont know you have all seen it i know i come off as racist but i am really not all im sayin is that if i was a black guy getting the job where i was supp0sed to go to work i would have my fucking imaginary goddamn house paid for by now i guess its my college that fuckin holds me back or the fact that my daddy didnt work for the railroad i dont know so there fuck it most of you all are well you knew someone so you got your job and fuck everybody else

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 28 July 2009 Employed in other capacity, for 1-10 years.....BRO, you talk'n like a run away slave.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Employed in other capacity, for 1-10 years Posted: 28 July 2009 I found that the easiest way to combat the railroads attendance policy was to quit. Now I get ALL the holidays off, three weeks of vacation, 5 days of bereavement leave, have all my weekends off, only work between 7am and 4 pm, and I make twice as much anually as I the day I left the railroad. The ONLY way to make the railroads change is to have anyone with any talent and ability to leave the railroad. Any thing less is a compromise that the railroad will always win.

Name: whatever E-mail: Employed as: Employed in other capacity, for 30+ years Posted: 25 July 2009 GET A LIFE YOU KNEW WHEN THEY HIRED YOU THAT YOU WERE ON CALL. SO GET OVER IT OR GO GET A JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE. NOONES MAKING YOU STAY. YOU NEW HIRES DO NOTHING BUT WHINE ABOUT EVERYTHING.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 24 July 2009 I go back many years.I never worked with any Engineer that was not a fireman, most came from steam. When I left in 1970 more than 60% of those Running, and several fixture firemen all came from steam. I made 1 trip with an Apprentice Engineer that was a former Brakeman. He did a nice job. I know this is a conflicting post, never then 1 but guess never should change to 1 ????Anyway His Daddy got him on the RR and got him as 1 of 3 into the apprentice program, and he has since retired from Engine service, guess it was a good thing. However he is still pissed with the motorcycle that I sold him in 1969 for $200.00 and Every Engineer was on my ass for selling him a piece of shit. I did----- Guilty as charged.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 24 July 2009 Union's have changed from being the saving grace for working men to a bunch of thieves. A Fireman (BLF&E) could not join the BLE until qualified. A trainman could not join the ORC, However they could leave the BRT and join the ORCB. There was always a place to send your money. I ran with Promoted Engineer's that still belonged to the BLF&E, boy did they catch hell. Just took a few years until they decided to join them rather than fight them. One really strong Engineer told me he could fight better from inside than outside????? Every Asshole on the L&N belonged to the ORC (Order of Railway Conductor's). The rest belonged to the BRT BLE BLF&E. Just the way it was back in the day.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 21 July 2009 The deadline to have been marked up in trainmen service to collect the $20,000 signing bonus was June 1, 1994. CSX marked up every cut back trainmen into engine servive on May 30th creating slots on the extra board or just left them in unassigned statis. After the deadline they were all cut back to trainmen and denied the money. The UTU went along with this charade. They never filed any appeal it was obvious that CSX made this move illegally. Goob on this one you're probably right on those who belonged to the BLE which was a small percentage. Back then people only transferred to the BLE once they stood to work as engineers permanently. Most of them were cut back engineers that belonged to the UTU. Something I still believe that a person should belong to the union that holds the contract for which they are working in.

Name: New Hire E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for Less than 1 year Posted: 21 July 2009 Hi, Im a new hire and there is nohthing I can do to improve my life i know that now but so what i make more than a begger so shut up be thankful you could be a sewar bum on welfare foodstamps like a deadbeeat be thankful the railrod gives you somehing.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 10-20 years Posted: 21 July 2009 im a new hire and went thru the pay scale. everyone is always going to want more money but quit bitching. there is nothing you can do about it. just be happy you have a job in times like these.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 21 July 2009 E-mail:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Perfect example of how union's work! Just like red board insurance. you pay and they play!!!! I just wonder what would have happened in the 1970's if a promoted (Trainman) Engineer had stayed with the UTU and paid duel due's. Most likely the same thing. ZERO Oh by the way there was a time in the 80's when the CSX moved the flagman to the locomotive, and bought a locomotive to haul all 4 of them with no Caboose. That was short lived. I would love to see some of the old Engineers cut back and try to collect. Now that would be a real life PONY SHOW. Cost hundred's of thousands of dollars telling the big E NO NO NO!!!! The scheduled time for claim's has expired! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 18 July 2009 Sam The UTU didn't have and still doesn't have any thought process the remote control agreement is a current prime example. In 1986 with the first crew consist when the caboose was being phased out the only loss was the flagman. The UTU gaureteed their members they would never sell out the last brakeman. All it took was 8 years later an offers of a $20,000 signing bonus plus $23,000 if a person wanted to sell out their productivity bonus. That secured it as a done deal. Even though if you ask any trainmen hired out before 1994 if they voted for it you get the same answer no one did. Engineers who went into engine service after 1978 who retained their trainmen seniority filed claims for the $20,000 signing bonus for the loss of a seniority slot. The UTU changed the agreement after it's signing by stating that only those marked up as trainmen were entitled to it. Crooked bastards. Funny part is engineers are still on trainmen rosters the kicker is we could still claim the money if we are ever cut back for at least 60 days. Wouldn't that be a kick in the UTU's arse if that ever happened 15 years later. Of course we know it never will happen and voluntary flow back doesn't count.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 21 July 2009 Interesting. Some were caught betwix and between....a trainman applied for the $20k, was approved, but before approval went into engineer service, then was told by the carrier that he "missed the deadline' to receive the $20K (except that he did not miss any deadline - the Carrier just made up the rule to screw him out of his $20k"). Masta has lots a hidden "rules" when it comes to buyouts and payments - they comes and they goes at Masta's whim.....

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 18 July 2009 Sam The UTU didn't have and still doesn't have any thought process the remote control agreement is a current prime example. In 1986 with the first crew consist when the caboose was being phased out the only loss was the flagman. The UTU gaureteed their members they would never sell out the last brakeman. All it took was 8 years later an offers of a $20,000 signing bonus plus $23,000 if a person wanted to sell out their productivity bonus. That secured it as a done deal. Even though if you ask any trainmen hired out before 1994 if they voted for it you get the same answer no one did. Engineers who went into engine service after 1978 who retained their trainmen seniority filed claims for the $20,000 signing bonus for the loss of a seniority slot. The UTU changed the agreement after it's signing by stating that only those marked up as trainmen were entitled to it. Crooked bastards. Funny part is engineers are still on trainmen rosters the kicker is we could still claim the money if we are ever cut back for at least 60 days. Wouldn't that be a kick in the UTU's arse if that ever happened 15 years later. Of course we know it never will happen and voluntary flow back doesn't count.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for Less than 1 year Posted: 18 July 2009 A Russell crew working an ID job was 18 min. From being rested and were called for work. The phone rang again and the called said "sorry I disturbed your rest.I have to bust your call and start your rest over!!!" So needless to say 20 hours later they still were not called. I wonder if the crew caller got 20 hours away from home with no held away?

Name: Chicken Schitt eXpress E-mail: Jackschitt@csx.com Employed as: Train Master/ supervisor, for 30+ years Posted: 18 July 2009 WHO IS JACK SCHITT? For some time many of us have wondered just who is Jack Schitt? We find ourselves at a loss when someone says, 'You don't know Jack Schitt!' Well, thanks to my genealogy efforts, you can now respond in an Intellectual way. Jack Schitt is the only son of Awe Schitt. Awe Schitt, the fertilizer magnate, married O. Schitt, the owner of Needeep N. Schitt, Inc. They had one son, Jack. In turn, Jack Schitt married Noe Schitt. The deeply religious couple produced six children: Holie Schitt, Giva Schitt, Fulla Schitt, Bull Schitt, and the twins Deep Schitt and Dip Schitt. Against her parents' objections, Deep Schitt married Dumb Schitt, a high school dropout. After being married 15 years, Jack and Noe Schitt divorced. Noe Schitt later married Ted Sherlock, and because her kids were living with them, she wanted to keep her previous name. She was then known as Noe Schitt Sherlock. Meanwhile, Dip Schitt married Lodza Schitt, and they produced a son with a rather nervous disposition named Chicken Schitt. Two of the other six children, Fulla Schitt and Giva Schitt, were inseparable throughout childhood and subsequently married the Happens brothers in a dual ceremony. The wedding announcement in the newspaper announced the Schitt-Happens nuptials. The Schitt-Happens children were Dawg, Byrd, and Horse. Bull Schitt, the prodigal son, left home to tour the world. He recently returned from Italy with his new Italian bride, Pisa Schitt. NOW when someone says, 'You don't know Jack Schitt,' you can correct them. Sincerely, Crock O. Schitt CEO Chicken Schitt eXpress Railroad

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for N/A Posted: 18 July 2009 is anyone else pissed about being screw out of 6 on 2 off?

Name: SAm the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 18 July 2009 RRJ, for once, I totally agree with everything you said. Just think the Union should have pushed back harder at the time, and structured the whole thing a whole lot better than they did. They gave up way too much and gave the carriers way too much mojo in the process.

Name: jdoo E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 18 July 2009 I have been with the company just over three yrears been layed off since Christmas last year. Dont understand why some young conductors are fussing about the pay rates. In my area no one at 90 percent is even working. I personaly dont mind working my way to 100 percent. 80 percent pay out here is alot better than 100 percent pay at mcdonalds!!!

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 July 2009 Sam I might of started out at 100% but not as a conductor. I was the lowest man on the train the brakemen. You worked your way up in seniority to get that caboose flagmen job then conductor. When I was on the Hocking Division out of Walbridge it took three years before you would come up for promotion. My counter-point to anyone complaining about progresive pay rates is they knew exactly what they were in for when they hired out. How can anyone complain about it now? That's crying over spilled milk. They are not part of my generation of railroader. When I hired out oldheads had agreements we weren't entitled to like the old PM agreements out of Walbridge. These guys made a schidt load of money. What I never had never bothered me. Oldheads have gone through a lot of changes over the past 25 years we lost overmiles when it went from 100 mile basic day to 130, ITD/FTD which was changed to trip rates to pacify those not covered under it ect...Those under progressive pay rates have lost nothing in fact they increase every year by 5%. I don't like the system it was a UTU agreement that radically changed the railroad by sacrificing a job the brakemen.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 July 2009 Actually, my fellow whitey pickaninnies, I think Conductor NA is pulling your slave chains. In a rather neurotic way, he (or she?) is making an interesting, although slightly bizarre, arguement. When I hired out pay for new hires was at parity - everyone made 100% of pay grade. No one made 80% of pay. EVERYONE made 100%. Everyone got the same pay increases. The old heads at that time DID gripe about wage parity - they wanted to be at a higher pay scale than new hires, and who could blame them? They had the experience and knowledge - we didn't. So, the Carriers - in their usual and customary unethically cunning ways - decide to capitalize on perceived friction in the ranks, and LOWERED the pay grade for new hires, whereas the Union should have bargained for an INCREASE in pay for workers with more experience and seniority. Instead they took the low road, and now we have neurotic trainmen working amoung us. Unions were no better. In allowing the 20% pay differiental for new hires, they drove a wedge between themselves and new hire participation in the Union. When the new pay grades went into effect I can distinctly remember a raging discussion about blow back. So, no suprise someone like Conductor NA is lurking out there ready to pounce like a wounded lion. Looks like Masta succeeded into brainwashing Conductor N/a into believing he (or she) is one of the four whitey horsemen of the apocalypse hell bent on destroying railroad pensions as a personal vindication for wrongs commited against virgin newbies. Hey, its the railroad - largest outdoor insane asylum in the world. What's not to like?

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 17 July 2009 Hey Z: Just for the sake of the argument...what if CSX could and did cut your pension payments...what do you suppose would happen to the new hires pension payments in 30 or 40 years, assuming of course they last that long? Excuse me while I refresh my toddy...

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 17 July 2009 You haven't goy a clue. Nobody voted to reduce your pay.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 17 July 2009 you old heads screw us when you voted to decrease our pay this one for a new clerk job Pay Rate Entry Rate $148.29/day* Full Rate $174.46/day* *varies by location/assignment you screw us so we take your pension to make the difference. we get gipped you get gipped fair is fair buttholes

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 17 July 2009 no time to write here i have yard shift now unlike you free loaders whine about layoff go get a job on a garbage truck dumbo an next time i see my lc it will be for 20% wage increase from old heads pension plans see what good the goose is good for a gander lots of bald head fat whiners boohoo unfair crybabies need ther mommies yo9u dont scare me bite me dogmeat old heads jump off a bridge do us new guys a favor. my trainmaster loves me i do the work of 10 old farts so stuff it have a heart atatack an die i will piss on your grave an if you dont like it get out now ha ha i gonna have your job ape man so kiss my ass an z llj shine my knob if you can still see old guys or just gum it an choke haha old stupid toothless fat boys go take meds and shut up befor your hoe slaps the crap out you

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 17 July 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 14 July 2009 RRJ is an old head and is telling new hires they spent too much on your new truck or suv so need i say more? 30 years out of touch and he did not have to work at 80% of wage but oh that is different but i call it the old eating the young you are so out of touch with what new hires have to go through so i cant wait till the company offers new hires a big fat pay increase to full pay in exchange for slashing pension payouts to retirees they got my vote besides retirees can live on 20% less right? just dont buy medicine you dont need anyway cut down on the food and beer and loose some weight so many old head are fatter than cows and sell the vehicle you dont need to drive you cant see anyway and take the bus and move into a trailer park where you seem to like better anyway and have yourself a great golden years. with my extra 20% i will buy your car at auction and your house at the forclosure sale cause you overspent xtravengently irresponsble ha ha not so funny is it.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Good Lord help us from the above post. Life Guard at the gene pool was on break again. Who in heck is recruiting to get this piece of shit.....Guess you folks will get to meet him/she/ on your next extra board trip. Dam that would even make me an asshole. fuc--r would ride outside, and never blink an eye. Every time he rested his Eyes I would stop.....They be gone real quick not 10 years later when they have a bunch of bud's. Instant!!!

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 16 July 2009 You don't have a clue. The future old head talking. Maybe your next LC. Woe to the labor movement in this country with guys like this.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 16 July 2009 you out of work tool an die an your on here bitching. sounds like a bitch complaining to me. go get a job an stop bitching i still work here an you aint. MacDonald's is hirin or you too proud mr tool an die journeyman there is plenty of jobs out there if you want one

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 16 July 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 16 July 2009 see what i mean take some from the pension fund add to wages and old farts scream dirty. you can always quit. ha ha. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; No one screamed dirty, we were shaking our head, trying to understand were you got that big brain of yours. Your statement really isn't worth a reply. You haven't a clue. Looks like one slipped through he cracks when you were hired.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 16 July 2009 You don't have a clue. I think I would quit embarrassing myself if I were you, with your lack of understanding.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 16 July 2009 see what i mean take some from the pension fund add to wages and old farts scream dirty. you can always quit. ha ha.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 16 July 2009 Pop's I shouldn't of even answered such a nincompoop as Cond N/A. His idiotic childish responses weren't worth trying to educate. The poor poor me syndrome of feeling he's entitled to having everything now is just immature bantering. The days of respecting oldheads and wanting to learn from them is still around there are a lot of good people who have hired out over the past 1-3 years during the hiring blitz. The difficult part is we have some who need to be carried on others backs for they'll always be lost an in todays railroad that's not possible. Engineers had always trained the new hire trainmen (head brakeman) when we had full crews. That's impossible today when it's the conductor sitting across from us it makes our job difficult. A lot of times we're working industries that they might of been in once or twice during training. CSX refuses pilots when their requested. When a conductor tells me he hasn't been in an industry for quite a while and never actually worked it by themselves that's an uncomfortable feeling. When they state they "think" they can do it that sends up red flags. There is no guessing out here either you know it or you don't. sonny

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Friend or family of employee, for 30+ years Posted: 15 July 2009 so young...so dumb...

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 15 July 2009 You haven't a clue.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 15 July 2009 I Vote for 20% pension benefit payment cuts and 20% increase in new hire wages and do it now so save your jobs and your family and I hope csx reading this you have my vote for wage increase and pension cuts we need money now not 30 years from now.

Name: htlong E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 15 July 2009 wow !!!!!! after reading that spoiled rotten little noname conductors rant about how tuff it is only making 80% I almost wish I could come back just to work with him.......ALMOST I can promise he would be spending his 80% on new boots monthly ! Oh crap I saw one sparking abot 80 cars back....he would be to tired to bitch,and I wouldnt allow him to sleep either...all in all he would be wishing he kept his job at McDonalds would you like fries??? I'll see yall next week when I log on to csx sux again!! p.s.could this guy be my ole buddy plug doors son???? give em hell sonny!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 15 July 2009 Ill bet my next pay day I'll never pound slag. Your statement is stupid to start with. Those jobs would have been trainmen jobs as you were promoted to engineer. Now your stuck pounding slag for your next 40 years.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for N/A Posted: 15 July 2009 Even a lowly brakeman can qualify to operate a remote so wont be long before yard jockeys will be pounding slag wise guy. http://www.ble.org/pr/news/headline.asp?id=7573

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 15 July 2009 Chicken pecker, is that you? Didn't you succumb to Big Fatty, mark off for Union business, and float away to la-la land?

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for Less than 1 year Posted: 15 July 2009 Why, after 35 years the railroad Dick has been welded permanently to my anus so every time I sit down I get to remember what a thrill it is to have worked here. [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ I think you meant 35 months, at best. Now go pound that slag brakey.

Name: SAm the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 14 July 2009 AS an old head I agree with the majority. That kid needs to experience what us old heads have had to deal with. Divorce, divorce and more divorce, alcoholism, violence, psychosis, bankruptcy, furloughs in perpetuity, missing toes and fingers, sleepless nights, bump-a-rama, trainmasters from hell, and a whole lot more. The fun is just beginning for you laddy. Why, after 35 years the railroad Dick has been welded permanently to my anus so every time I sit down I get to remember what a thrill it is to have worked here. I earned that Dick and I intend on keeping it by God. You'll grow to like it too, sonny boy. It'll put hair on your chest and a bowl beans on the table. What more to life is there? Flat screen TV, Monday Night Football and a nightly six pack of Bud. Its heaven. So quit thinking about Ipods, hot rods n' bods. That stuff will rot your brain. Go getch you a degree boy, Corporate Dick jobs are much better than Union Dick jobs and you dont have to swallow every time you give old heads. I had nothing to do with the 80% screw job you got, but the Union sure did - I know cause we all voted for it, you dill weed. Lastly, the company can have 20% of my pension - I'll never live to see a penny of it anyway (brain cancer). Buck up or get out. Its the railroad way, so get use to it boy. We did and we love it. Now get away from me, I am going to be retiring soon anyway, which reminds me of a poem my old head mentor told me about married life on the railroad - He grabbed me by my slender throat and held me strong and tight I could not call or scream then he dragged me to his dark and dingy room where he tore away my flimsy wraps and stared at my naked form He wanted what was mine a virgin o' so fine I was scared and cold and damp while he was hot and warm he forced his feverish lips to mine I could not struggle anymore then he drained me of myself I could not make him stop. He made me what I am today, and that is how you find me here, laying lifeless on the roadside, an empty naked bottle once full of tasty beer.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 14 July 2009 Hey Z: Yes you're right, Hired in '01...fired in '06. Worked in Gentilly (New Orleans); Sibert (Mobile); Golding(Pensacola), PA, PD, M&M, NO&M. Frankly, I was never paid what I thought I was worth...I always made enough to pay my bills though. These New Hires have no idea what bills are... RRJ is right, new F150's, Z71's, I Phones and houses more than they can afford, credit cards with unjustifiable credit limits... 20 year old kids that will not, or don't want a life... The lure of big money on the RR is like a whore, if you're willing to pay, you can play...a hard Dick has no conscience...we have all been there...let's see how much money I can actually earn... The result is ruined relationships...broken families...and death. I worked with a diverse group, all of whom I considered friends...with the exception of one or two, I don't talk to anyone. Such is life...So when they start moanin', I start gronin'...If they don't like the hand they were dealt...fold and get a life. It was their choice to skip a higher education and go to work for the RR. What's ironic about all this is...in a blink of an eye, they'll be our age...and wish they had put that extra $150 into their IRA instead of that new F150. Save your breath...we're talking to brick walls!

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 14 July 2009 My neighbor sells flowers at a freeway exit and makes more than most new hires. .................................................................... Are there any more freeway exits in your town? Maybe you can change your occupation to increase your standard of living. NoMo, I believe you were classified as a new hire with a family. Am I correct? Now I don't agree with the 80 percent pay for new hires, but I had no control over that situation nor did RRJ. Someone would need to talk to the good old UTU about that, of which I have never been a member. One lesson I learned in life is, it's not what you make, but how you manage it. If I don't like what I make, I won't bitch about it, I will change it.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 14 July 2009 Hey dipschidt. You shouldn't talk about pensions if you make it on the railroad which is questionable that's your pension your talking foolishly about slashing which no person, union, or railroad can do single handedly seeing it's run by the federal goverment. Secondly I never voted for any progressive style pay rates for new hires that was a UTU deal in 1994. I've been a member of the BLE since 1980. You are a blind fool. Definitely a product of the "Y" generation. "Y" do all the oldheads has the good jobs? "Y" "Y" "Y"?????? Boo Hoo sniff sniff!!!! Cry baby.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 14 July 2009 You're a fool. Your envy of oldheads is clouding your thought process. Do you really think we got hired and walked into a cushy job? It takes years to establish yourself in any occupation. A lot of us had to relocate in our early years leave family and fiends to work for the railroad. A lot of us lost homes, cars, got so far behind in debt it took a lot of time to get out of it because of years of being furloughed. If we're at that point in life we finally see light at the end of the tunnel then we earned every bit of it. You know nothing. I see people bitching and complaining over being bounced around. With a little motivation they could hold a high paying ID run 184 miles away because 51% of those jobs belong to the consolidated roster they are on. Which means if a 30 year person on trainmen consolidated Dist #2 is holding a trainmen consolidated Dist #1 job that newbie can bump him. If a person decides to not utilize working away from home then it's their own fault. If they stayed up there permanently by moving when it's time for engine service then engineers fall under the same consolidated roster no need to move back to their original home terminal. We had around 30-40 temporary transfers last year working in my area some for a year or more. They were offered permanent jobs a small percentage stayed most went back only to be furloughed. That's an individual choice. Quit your bullschidt blaming those of us who have struggled for years to get to where we are at it shows your ignorance.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 14 July 2009 RRJ is an old head and is telling new hires they spent too much on your new truck or suv so need i say more? 30 years out of touch and he did not have to work at 80% of wage but oh that is different but i call it the old eating the young you are so out of touch with what new hires have to go through so i cant wait till the company offers new hires a big fat pay increase to full pay in exchange for slashing pension payouts to retirees they got my vote besides retirees can live on 20% less right? just dont buy medicine you dont need anyway cut down on the food and beer and loose some weight so many old head are fatter than cows and sell the vehicle you dont need to drive you cant see anyway and take the bus and move into a trailer park where you seem to like better anyway and have yourself a great golden years. with my extra 20% i will buy your car at auction and your house at the forclosure sale cause you overspent xtravengently irresponsble ha ha not so funny is it.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 13 July 2009 Some newbies might live at home with the folks. If the last poster thinks their not making good wages then explain the first thing they do is purchase new vehicles we're talking new Ford F150's, new SUV's ect...not all you definitely can tell the ones who have a family to support. The railroads has always been determined on how aggressive a person is in their work ethics. Working a regular yard remote job 5 days a week at 80% might not pay much. Working the yard or road extra board pays pretty good they just have to stay marked up. Nothings changed since I hired out in the '70s other than x-boards have a gaurentee. You made money while you could next half on the board you might not of made anything. It was feast or famine. I see those with 1-3 years on the railroad in my area doing good even at the progressive pay rates. You don't think in the early years we had to have roommates to share expensises? If we wanted to have a life while we were young we certianly did. Oldheads don't understand. What a crock of bullschidt!!!!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for N/A Posted: 13 July 2009 earlier post NoMo wrote "now even at the entry rate, the RR's pay a livable wage, maybe not what it should be but still better than most. Regardless of their wage most every one else seems to survive, some on a lot less money and hours" you do not know what you are talking about just ask a new hire they do not make enough to pay for monthly bills unless they live at home with mom and i do not know of any. . new hires make 80% of normal wages then subtract taxes pension payments union dues medical deductions pay for commuting gas and a car eat lunch then you dont make shit let alone a "livable wage" and i still see conductors living in a dump trailer, sleep with cockroaches and rent out the living room couch just so they can make lot rent. My neighbor sells flowers at a freeway exit and makes more than most new hires. nobody i know works a "normal" 40 hour week and i know old guys who have to work a second 8 hour job just to make ends meet and put food on the table and it is not because of other "issues" it is just to care for their families other than put them in a sewer hole. Livable wage? Maybe if you are a Chinese illegal use to working for coolie wages so maybe some of you old heads make a so called livable wage which only goes to show you how out of touch the old guys are with the new hires when it comes to comment like that. FRA shortened work hours, so now they need to INCREASE the wages, NOT DECREASE the wages. of course the old heads dont want to rock the boat so the union will let the carrier screw us again and the new hires will take it in the ass again. When the carriers dump the pension plan for present and past old heads and cut pension payouts by 50%, buck up an deal with it or go get a job as a WalMart greeter cause they pay a livable wage too Good luck how is that for being a corporate schmuck. 50% penions benefit cut retroactive to 2007 they will be billing you for the overpayment so buck up and deal with it or quit its a free world you can do what you want just dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Name: David E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 13 July 2009 Anyone heard anything about CN buying the Nashville division by September or October? Lets pray shall we.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 10-20 years Posted: 13 July 2009 CSX is a joke! I would be ashamed to be an trainmaster! You have no ethics or morals! How do you look at yourself in the mirror? How do you sleep at night? Remember this what comes around goes around!

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 12 July 2009 In regard to the new HOS law taking effect on the 16Th... The average work week for most is 40+/- hours, consisting of five 8 hour days or 168 hours a month and 2080 hours a year. Now the FRA wants to limit you to 276 hours a month or, based on a 30 day month, 3312 hours a year. Whereas before you could only work 12 hours a day or, based on a 30 day month, 4320 hours a year. Now even at the entry rate, the RR's pay a livable wage, maybe not what it should be but still better than most. Regardless of their wage most every one else seems to survive, some on a lot less money and hours. I ran the road long enough to understand the fatigue issue, because of the hours it's impossible to be bright eyed and bushy tailed all the time...that's why a 2 man crew is important, or simply mark off. There are 2 classes of service, road and yard...money or normalcy, depending on your seniority and supply point you might be able to work either, if you can't, lump it or leave it. I digress though...the HOS law is the non issue, every one on the RR should be able to survive quite nicely on a 168 hour month and live well with a moderate amount of O/T of 15-20 hours a month...if you can't there are other issues. Fatigue, call times, meal allowances and away from home accommodations are contract issues as is the Carriers' complaint of June 29Th and have nothing to do with the HOS law. The L&N agreement I worked under has a mileage component, as I'm sure many of the other agreements do. I don't recall exactly what it was, maybe 2100 miles a month. One round trip to New Orleans was 272 miles or about 8 trips a month or 16 days a month. I have never seen the union, carrier or employee enforce it. If the union did, they would have twice the membership, if the carrier did, they'd have twice the employees and if the employee did, they wouldn't be fatigued and only have half the money. I guess that's another one you can mark up to the guaranteed extra boards! Can you see a common thread here...seems to me there should be plenty of talking points come section 6 time including guaranteed extra boards!

Name: Tank E-mail: Employed as: Car repair, for 20-30 years Posted: 11 July 2009 I have never been a brakeman or engineer, but seems to me Lloyd speaks the truth from his experience and he has a right to be mad as hell. The hours put in by the freight crews are ungodly and Sam got it right see what part of slavery is illegal do the CSX bosses do not understand because this shit did not just happen overnight and its not like the Unions can say they was suprised or too complicated or whatever to make right. Lloyd might be one guy but you know his voice is the same voices of thousands of union guys who work these back breakin human killer hours and i will tell you blunt CSX go ahead and fuck us with your kangaroo courts and we will shut these god damn railroads down.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 11 July 2009 They could have done a lot of things different as far as our fatigue goes. I don't know how many times I've been between 1 and 3 times out and I couldn't get to sleep because I was afraid I might miss the call from being so damn tired. You know the sleep you get in where the phone call you get from CSX is actually a phone call you get in the dream you are having? Working long hours isn't bad until you do it 4 or 5 trips in a row and can't sleep one night in one of those 5 star stays we always get away from home terminal. It just amazes me with as much profit as these idiots rake in they have the nerve to try and cut our wages. I don't think working 3 hours a day should pay a man over 200 dollars either but I also don't think the guy who works 9 or 10 should get shit on because of that. Seems like they are trying to find excuses to short us any way they can and I'm fucking tired of it. When Michael Ward decides he'll only work for 100,000 a year Ill take a god damn pay cut.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 11 July 2009 Well Tank, I can't leave this board - you would have no other way to obtain well reasoned intelligent versatile opinion versus opinion from zoned out fatties. The Carriers should not win their wage case. Not in a million years. However, they are in Ft. Worth, backyard Corporate home of the BNSF, so anything is possible - particularly when it comes to screwing the Unions. Forgive me for being critical, but if our Union lawyers had studied their Civil Procedure, they would have moved jurisdiction to D.C., and counter claimed with a truck load of issues - including the issue of pay for 24/7 on call time, which is inextricably intertwined with wages, hours, and safety. I realize that approach is a little more complex than z's thinly cut sausage approach, but that's how you set the carriers back on their heels and start winning issues and grievances. You dont play their game. You force them to play yours. As it is, the Carriers have the game down pat: Hit the ball, drag the Unions. Hit the ball, drag the unions. Well my friend, Masta is calling now......gotta go now and stick my nose in some Union business where some say it does not belong.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 11 July 2009 http://www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?ArticleID=47954

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 11 July 2009 Lloyd, all the math has been done along time ago. Why the 276 was put in is beyond me. With mandatory 10 undisturbed rest and 48 off after 6 or 72 after 7 it is virtually impossible to cap out the 276. The law was badly written from the start. Although rest needed to be addressed, we again have people enacting laws that don't have a clue because they have never worked the shifts we have. The input from the Unions with their bull shit survey is inaccurate also. The UTU insisted on the 276 hour cap. If they had even taken time to do the numbers they should have seen 276 hours can hardly ever be met with the other stipulations of the law. The ones in the unions giving input have been use to jocking behind a desk for years, 8/5 Monday through Friday. They have forgotten how it feels to sit 1st out on a extra board 36 hours, go to bed after being up 18 hours only to have your phone ring ten minutes after laying your head down. The law was written out of a rash of accidents and the Feds. felt a need to get a bill through in a hurry. It should have been thought out to insure proper rest, instead of written merely to get a law on the books. The Unions put in their unknowing 2 cents into the bill and now we end up screwed again. Circadian Rhythm or the body clock, documented sleep information and rest cycles were not used in passing the law. The only thing that was used is what a politician thought we needed. How about just saying if I'm unrested I can lay off fatigue, with no questions asked by the company. How about if (and I don't ) work a extra board and I'm 1st out for 18 hours after my rest is up from a previous shift, I rotate to the bottom of the board because I probably am not rested. How about the railroads learn how to give a proper line up and 12 hours notice of call. Working nights doesn't kill us, not knowing when to be rested does. As far as I'm concerned nothing needed to be changed except, give me the right to lay off fatigue 2 or 3 times a month. Now the carriers want to cut our pay, ask the court to rule it as a minor dispute and we are screwed by them, the feds. and the unions. There was a definite need for a bill to give us rest but like so many times before, we take it in the ass, because someone that didn't have a clue wrote it. By being required to take rest and 48 off after 6 days, who didn't know the RR's weren't going to cut our pay, except Sam. He wants to push it another step, before this fuck up is fixed. RRJ's quote by E.Dole is how so many people look at it. They don't have any comprehension of our job. Well I've got to go. I have a load of dirt to dump.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 11 July 2009 So let me get this straight Z so I don't have a misunderstanding of what I just read. The carriers want to decrease our wages because we can "only" work 276 hours a month? Has anyone actually divided 276 by an average 30 day work month to see the answer? Well, in case you haven't I'll be the first to point out that equals to 9.2 hours a day if you worked EVERY day of that month. Now, lets put into perspective that most get at least one day off a week so lets do the math again at 276 divided by 26. That comes out to be 10.6 hours a day 26 days out of the month with one day off a week. Hmmmmm...who else works those kind of hours besides guys like us, the military, or the police or fireman? I seriously doubt anyone unless they have a hard on for their job. So because we might only be working an average 10 hour day 6 days a week the carriers want to get greedy and cry like the little bitches they are. The FRA tries to step in and help out the worker fatigue and we are going to get fucked in the process if our unions don't man up? Should have known we wouldn't come out ahead on this issue either unless our unions finally grow a fucking pair.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 10 July 2009 Z The easy way out for some on here is to say we're antiquated. We are happy with the way things have been. They haven't been through the past 27 years to see the AAR and goverment cut our pay and benefits. How much we've lost like pushing the basic day from 100 miles to 130 miles, ITD/FTD, paying a portion of health coverage when back in the '90s we tryed to protect it with lower pay raises, it took us years to get PL days compared to the UTU because we went on strike in 1982 ect...a lot of times the BLE pushed it we ended up in a PEB and the consequences weren't favorable. Let's take Elizabeth Dole Sec of Labor under Raygun who stated "we were just glorified dump truck drivers". The odds were stacked against us. In a perfect union scenario I'd love to see a good old fashion strike. It takes years under the RLA to get to that point that has always been the biggest obstacle. At one time work rules were cast in stone unchangable till the next round of negotiations not so today there changed at the carriers whim. A lot of oldheads beyond what some think on here have thrown in the towel. We aren't happy we just know it'll take a miracle to place the unions back to the level they once had to protect their members and future generations.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 10 July 2009 It was only a matter of time before the carriers asked for wages regarding the new FRA rest rules. U.S. CLASS IS ASK FEDERAL COURT TO REQUIRE UTU, BLET ARBITRATE DISPUTES John D. Boyd / Jul 2, 2009 7:30PM GMT The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story An impending cap on hours worked by train crews has major U.S. railroads wanting to alter pay agreements to reflect the curbs, and they have asked a federal court to quickly step in. It boils down to carriers trying to curb pay when new rules mean workers might not be available as often, while unions want to protect current pay levels even if the law constricts their actual working time. The changes in the work-hour rules were meant to help safety-threatening fatigue in train crews who often put in long hours after they report to work, counting time spent waiting or in transit to their trains, train operation time and then sometimes additional “limbo time” waiting for replacement crews after they reach their federal operating limits and the trip back to their cars so they could go home. The new rules, which take effect July 16, would cap rail worker time in several ways – at 276 hours per calendar month, 12 hours a day and no more than six or seven consecutive days depending on the intervening time off. The new law also eliminates limbo time, instead counting a worker on duty between the time he or she clocks in at the assembly point and returns back there at the end of a shift. Those workers are paid under complex contract terms that factor in seniority, whether this is a regularly assigned job or labor pulls for as-needed train runs or to fill vacancies. But since the hours law changes mean carriers could not keep workers on duty as long or slot them for assignments with the same availability as in the past, railroads and union officials have been negotiating since the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was passed last fall over how that affects existing contracts for how to pay workers. All five Class I freight carriers filed a complaint June 29 in Fort Worth, Texas, against the United Transportation Union that represents train conductors and some other workers, and against the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The railroads said they intend to implement the array of hours-of-service changes by July 16, as required under the RSIA. But they say unions have not negotiated contract changes in pay the carriers want to make, and “have refused to agree to arbitration” of those issues. “The carriers contend they are under no obligation, under the (labor contract) agreements, to increase pay to ensure that such employees continue to receive the same total compensation despite working less than prior to the implementation of the RSIA changes,” the railroads said in their court filing. They asked the court to find that the unions must negotiate the hours-related disputes, and send any of them that are unresolved on July 16 to arbitration. Unions have not yet filed a response, but they are fighting back. UTU International President Malcolm Futhey, in a statement on the UTU Web site criticized the suit as “the carriers' attempt to put the entire burden of the new hours-of-service limitations on the backs and pocketbooks of their employees." While this dispute may end soon, it could raise tensions around the bargaining table when railroads and unions begin negotiating their next multi-year contracts later this year.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Engine repair, for 30+ years Posted: 10 July 2009 The hours of service act should read as follows: When called on duty after 6:00 AM until 10:00 AM - 10 - Hours on duty is the maximum that can be worked. When called on duty after 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM - 8 - Hours on duty is the maximum that can be worked. When called on duty after 4:00 PM until 6:00 AM - 6 - Hours on duty is the maximum that can be worked. Ten hours off minimum after a tour of duty regardless of how long on duty. How the contract should read When called on duty between the hours of 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM Engineers will be paid at the rate of $50.00 per hour When called on duty between the hours 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM Engineer’s time on duty after 6:00 PM will be paid at time and a half When called on duty after 4:00 PM Engineers will be paid double time. Any engineer that works for a railroad that works a 24/7 clock can lay off account fatigue at any time; because safety is the first order of business. ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Your not the first one that wants to change the shitty hours. RRJ knows where the above came from. Most of us would like to see things change, but it isn't easily done as you say. The above is a thought from another engineer on how things should work. There are many different ways as far as I'm concerned. Get the carriers to agree. Like I said they are going to try and cut your pay. Check out my next post.

Name: Tank E-mail: Employed as: Car repair, for 20-30 years Posted: 10 July 2009 Well Sam the Slave looks like you aint gettin no help on this board. You have some good suggestions like getting paid for human killer on call hours like the prior post said their are windows and 8 hour payouts that would work but the old heads never want to change anything cause anthing that is a change in the way they done things for the last 100 years they think is gonna rock their boat and they own the union so nothing ever changes except the company screws us to death with every new contract and which is why old guys like z and rrj blast away at anything in the way of improvements suggested by anyone except their own, which are not really changes but stupid reasons why they aint going to change anything ever. all they do is report on how we are all getting nailed but they never suggest anyting positive and give any solutions. its always impossible, or the way it is, or there is no hope, or they dont care cause they retire in a year or two anyway. what a crock of cop out crap. not many young guys post on this site and neither do they attend union meetings and now you know why - the old heads crap all over them and their ideas they just want to retire and they dont care about anyting else. pretty sad if you ask me. spend you time somewhere else dude you are wasting ability on here.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 10 July 2009 Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 09 July 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 July 2009 Simple cure for the 24/7 on call human killer. 3 Seniority call blocks per day. 8 hour window call or pay. Employee must be rested before the call window, and is realeased and paid if not called. Employee bid's on window 1 2 or 3 and is assigned. NO EXTRA BOARD. Road return trip's would be first in first out. Then back to the assigned window. ******************************************************************* See guys, changing the 24/7 on call rule so that we get PAID would be pretty simple. Now, why didn't our illustrious union think of that? Hmmmmm. ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Yep, about as simple as the theory of relativity. I painted you just a little picture a few post down. You said see guys changing the rule would be pretty simple. How could you come to that conclusion? The men and union thought of it years ago. Are you going to wave your hand and it's done. Look for a pay cut if you look for anything. Guess what, the carriers are asking for a minor dispute ruling in the HOS ruling. No strike if they get it.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 10 July 2009 Name: SAm the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 09 July 2009 With a new union the right to strike and elimination of free 24/7 on call hours would be acheived. Out with the old, in with the new. CSX could probably be coaxed into early buy outs, so the old heads who want out can get out. Sounds good to me. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Yea, yea and I'm a astronaut and will become a brain surgeon after my buy out. The buy out days are long gone. They just fire you.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 09 July 2009 New union old union it doesn't matter. You still wouldn't have the right to strike. We fall under the Railway Labor Act. Get that through your head. Maybe if you educated yourself instead of continuiosly talking nonsense you wouldn't appear so ignorant. Your like an obnoxious parrot repeating the same old line.

Name: SAm the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 09 July 2009 With a new union the right to strike and elimination of free 24/7 on call hours would be acheived. Out with the old, in with the new. CSX could probably be coaxed into early buy outs, so the old heads who want out can get out. Sounds good to me.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 09 July 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 July 2009 Simple cure for the 24/7 on call human killer. 3 Seniority call blocks per day. 8 hour window call or pay. Employee must be rested before the call window, and is realeased and paid if not called. Employee bid's on window 1 2 or 3 and is assigned. NO EXTRA BOARD. Road return trip's would be first in first out. Then back to the assigned window. ******************************************************************* See guys, changing the 24/7 on call rule so that we get PAID would be pretty simple. Now, why didn't our illustrious union think of that? Hmmmmm. Oh, here's a good one. Masta is gonna take away the pension plan and replace it with 401Ks. The money saved is going to the new hires in the form of wage equilibrium - no more 80% of full salary to start. Masta gonna snap that whip fer shure.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 08 July 2009 Pop's I understand. The transition from life long railroader to civilian is going to be a drastic change. It'll definitely take some readjustment. I'm in that critical last 5 years which means working more, saving more, and making sure all debt is wiped out. Throw in trying to discover what your going to do with yourself after retirement. I keep tossing ideas around move to Mexico, Costa Rico, a western or southwestern state to be closer to the grandchildren ect...maybe the mountians of N.Carolina. Lot's of choices. All I know is I want a fresh new start for the remainder of the life. Over the last couple of years I've made a list which constantly grows things I've missed out. Keeping the mind active by taking courses at a community college a few times a year. I know one thing I'll get that HD Ultra classic when the urge hits pack up and take off to anywhere. It's difficult to imagine no more phone calls. Sonny

Name: htlong E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 July 2009 rrj, hang in there sonny, larr (life after rail roading)isnt an easy ajustment much like a prisoner being put out into society after doing a 30 year stretch. but once you adjust you find out how great life is without worring when the phone will ring, I thought I loved my job,because I didnt know what life as a civilain was like, friends used to ask me how I could live not knowing when I was going to work? and living 40 years in a state of permanent jet lag...but once you adjust its awesome!!!!!!! it pains me to even sign on here and read about how I used to live, stick it out the pension is great!!!!!!!!

Name: average joe E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 July 2009 okay guys i see alot of bitching about the unions but where i live unions are shit there were two factorys here one union the other not. both manufactured the same product while the union employees did it for an average of two dollars less on the hour and had shittier benifits That is the awesome part about a union in a right to work state unions dont mean a hill of beans here just something to blow your money on. im an electrician by trade and went to a tech school for two years to get an associate of applied science in electrical technology got my license and all was well went to talk to the union and found out it was shit they start you out at shitty pay and pretty much wont let you test up to journeyman without 3 years working in the union paying dues sounds like a fucking scam to me so i never joined for that fact and the other bieng that if you join the union and there next job is on the other side of the country and you dont want to leave your wife and newborn for two years your blackballed and wont work for the union again So in conclusion in a right to work state unions are nothing but a waste of money and time average joe

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 08 July 2009 Simple cure for the 24/7 on call human killer. 3 Seniority call blocks per day. 8 hour window call or pay. Employee must be rested before the call window, and is realeased and paid if not called. Employee bid's on window 1 2 or 3 and is assigned. NO EXTRA BOARD. Road return trip's would be first in first out. Then back to the assigned window. *********************************************************** Other, non-employee, N/A......WOW. EXCELLENT IDEA. Z, you say it would be difficult but doable. I totally agree, but only if terminal management improved terminal operations and implemented and embraced the plan. 20% is conservative - 80% is doable with the necessary changes that would be needed. 100% compliance is the goal. Z, splain to us how you would go about getting this in the contract. My believe is that since the carriers have opened the door to change the contract and the laws, we need to bring it on. Let the flood begin: paid 24/7 on call duty, strike contingencies, wage surcharges for energy costs over and above normal COLA increases, paid furlough protection for 12 months, 80% of full wages for every year worked, safety improvements, working condition improvements, Union representation on the Board - at least half of the Board membership Union, Union right to audit company records, etc, etc. etc. I believe such an action in an ongoing suit is called "counter suing", a pleading filed as part and parcel of the Carrier complaint. They opened the door, we need to be driving a container ship of grievances and contractaul changes through it. Oh, shush now Sam, Masta is stirrin. Oh Masta, dont pay no attention to what we be speakin of...goes back ta sleep Masta. Goes back ta sleep n dream you been eatn' mammy's hot buttered breakfast biskits wit grandpaws saw-sage gravy. Dont pay no attention to matters dat hurt yo thickened head, Masta. Goes back ta sleep, Masta. Goes back ta sleep.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 08 July 2009 It sounds that easy. It sounds great. Let's do it. Ops, there are terminals that don't run enough trains to do this. There also aren't any on time trains. Step on step offs going from point A to B to C and maybe even D. Someone is working the grave yard at one of these terminals. Most railroads will not list trains out of a terminal without a 2 hour spread between them. So terminal A, at the north end of a railroad list trains at 6,9,10,12,2 and 4 P.M.. So how does the deal work at terminal B when the next crew gets on. There are terminals on all railroads where most trains are called at night and it doesn't matter how much seniority a person has. This happens merely because they are intermediate terminals and trains that were originated elsewhere arrive at these terminals at night. It sucks, but that's the way it is. There are to many variations to the window slots. I've already mentioned it's been tried on several railroads. NoMo said its been tried on CSX, Mobile, I believe. It can work on occasion, but not usually. Large crew change points and lots of trains make it doable. Maybe, at best, 20 percent of a Class 1 railroad could operate with window slots. One thing that has to be considered is terminal capacity. Each terminal has a magic number and when the car count reaches that number, cars are going to move by calling trains. If not the terminal will grid lock in short time. Car scheduling, dwell time, car connection, capacity and locomotive availability, along with many other factors play a part into when trains are run. There are better ways to do things, but it would have to be looked at on a terminal by terminal basis. Unions and management would have to make concessions in order to accomplish better working schedules. Still the ones working at every second or third terminal will still have a lot more night trains than any other time. It sucks to be stuck at one of these places. I only gave a few examples. There are many other scenarios and it will not be a easy solution.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 July 2009 Simple cure for the 24/7 on call human killer. 3 Seniority call blocks per day. 8 hour window call or pay. Employee must be rested before the call window, and is realeased and paid if not called. Employee bid's on window 1 2 or 3 and is assigned. NO EXTRA BOARD. Road return trip's would be first in first out. Then back to the assigned window.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 08 July 2009 Here we go again. Where's the namby pamby Union - the one we can't live with, and (supposedly cant live without)? The Union is reactionary only. Stick it with a needle and it jumps. Seems to me the Union always re-acts to the carriers screwing us, when it should be pro-active and take the issues to the carrier. Instead, they wait till contract time and have to give every thing away cause they allow themselves to get pinned to the mat before they even get started. 24/7 does not give normalcy to anyone, you cannot predict when you are going out even if your first out on the board, or 10th and nothing in sight. You can go from 10th to out in one hour, or sit 1st out for days,then work 14 odd ball shifts in a row. That is not normalcy. Never has, never will be. Either the Carriers need to pay for 24/7 on call time with shift differientials, or get rid of its slave system altogether. The carriers can sue us in court to change laws and contracts, but we can't sue the Carriers - for anything?? What's with that?? That's what Courts are for......litigation. It's a two way street. Let me ask you a question - if you could abolish unpaid 24/7 on call time and either pay for on call time, or replace it with another fairer system, would you? CSX wants to change our contract in court. OK, fine. Then we should be in Court suing for a strike, or at least setting up our legal right to walk out. See, the Carriers think that they have rank and file and the Unions convinced we can no longer strike. That's obvious. They think we think there is no hope. Wow. We just handed them our heads on a platter. Wow. We should be in court to change the CSX corporate charter and by-laws to force the company to give the Unions a majority of the Board membership - afterall, we are the ones who put boots on the ground to run the damn thing. We should have at least a 51% Board representation. We should be in the courts demanding a majority Union oversight of Company operations and administration. We should be in the courts suing the carriers for unsafe working conditions. We should be in the courts suing the carriers for fraud. We should be in court demanding the Unions right to conduct audits. We should be in the courts doing a lot of things, but we are not. Corporations are not the only ones who have sympathetic judges in the court system - so do we, believe it or not. Jim Crow is alive and well on the CSX. So is SLAVERY. OPPS. Lordy. This slave done forgot to take his anti-uppity pills. i iz so sorry masta for talkin so uppity. plez dont beat me masta, plez dont beat me. Ah likes to work in dem dar cotton fields masta - fer free masta, fer free - jus pay me nuff for grits masta, dats all. Take me to da promise land masta, take me to da promise land.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 July 2009 With the ability to access the CSX Mainframe from home it has helped to better determine when we will get called to work. This still isn't 100% effective when recrews or deadheads get tossed into the mix. Still it has left the oppertunity to have some normality. With the railroads filing suit in a federal court in Texas wanting to change contractual agreements over the new hours of service restrictions this is a litmus test of our unions. I'm sure the railroads filed in a federal court with a Repo appointed judge who is corporate friendly an anti-union. This is the last year of these contracts new section 6 notices will be served later this year. These contracts should be honored under the RLA. The arrogance of the railroads that all contracts are subject to change at anytime is just going along with Raygun-Daddy Bush- The Shrub policies of Raygunomics to destroy labor.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 July 2009 Masta sez the fickle finger of fate is upon you. Repent, or be reborn into the engine pool 24/7. The railroad is slavery. It's not about money. Its about controlling you and me. Which most likely means, they fear us controlling them. Which is why 24/7 is so important - abolish 24/7. ABOLISH RAILROAD SLAVERY.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 July 2009 RRJ can bring the munchies and Goober can help out also. HHMMMMMMMMMM, what can Goober bring. On second thought I think a big fat one, munchies and the hooch are plenty. Goober can stay home.) I hear he bogarts them any way.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 07 July 2009 Hey Sam: To answer your question...hell no...unless you want to live in the shed... Z...I'll bring the hooch.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 07 July 2009 I kinda see what you are saying Sam and I do agree with some of it but CSX nor any other major freight line is going to change the way they operate as far as us going out in turns and our places on the extra board. Hell I knew about this one guy at Russell who worked about 7 times in 6 months because he hopped around the extra board like little bunny fu fu. Of course you can't do this at every terminal but he got away with it and I've seen many others do the same. There is a way to go about working less even though I do believe there system is way out of date and could be more accomodating for family life. As far as quitting goes... How can anyone quit their job right now whether it be working for the RR and hating your life, or working in a cubicle going nuts all day? The economy stinks so bad right now unless you have a degree or have good connections you are stuck right where you are. Contrary to popular belief, I don't think many of the new hires really new all about the railroad like some of you on here think. Hell, in the past most guys got hired on because they knew family on the RR or their daddy got them on. Today the hiring process is so diverse that plenty of people don't know what they are getting into. The whole slavery argument is kind of a moot point. Everyone out here knows we never get paid what we are due but thats mainly because our payroll dept and trainmasters love to deny claims and play "lets see how much we can nickle and dime them this week". If you are on an extra board Sam you should be able to kind of judge about how long its going to be before you are called and if you are on the road and hold a freight pool you usually have at least 10 to 15 hours before you are called again to work unless the volume is steady where you are at. I don't think anyone likes how the system works but in my opinion the more times they change the contract it just seems like the more times we are gonna get fucked. We never seem to come out ahead with any new agreements our unions come up with and I seriously doubt a new union will solve the problems either unless we really do decide to strike and make our voice heard. As bad as I hate how this company treats its employees Sam I actually enjoy the job. I take the good with the bad knowing there is little else out there for me. If something else good comes along Ill be gone in a hurry but for now I'll just bad mouth these bastards as much as I can on here and get my satisfaction from it. You guys have a safe CSX day and try your best to delay that train.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 July 2009 Sam, read your post of July 6. When RRJ answered you it was about hours, no life, etc. Now your latest one is about the money. Your swapping up again.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 July 2009 Working for the railroad has always been being on call 24/7 if your in the freight pools or extra boards. ************************************************************* Lordy, yes I agree RRJ. No problem. The RR is 24/7. No debate there, no quarrel, no question. Ditto. Gotch ya. 24/7. My issue is not with the fact we have 24/7 on call. My issue is the fact WE DO NOT GET PAID for ALL of the HOURs we are ON CALL. In fact, we don't get paid for ANY of them. On call 24/7 is a disaster for family life , or any kind of normalcy for that matter. The average railroader has probably been married and divorced 10 times over the course of an entire career. At least half of all RR injuries and accidents are due to the detrimental affects of 24/7 on call. "On Call" 24/7 is draconian. It is inhumane. It is SLAVERY. What is wrong with negotiating a better deal in the next contract - how about at least a minimum hourly wage for "On CAll" hours? Better yet, why not ABOLISH the 24/7 "On Call" rule altogether, and give us back a normal life? That asking too much? Prayer for the Masta: "Masta please forgive me for I have sinned in beggin fer some time off. Please dont whip me Masta. Please dont whip me. Iz pick cotton 24/7 fer free Masta, jus pleaz dont whip me no moe"

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 07 July 2009 so have they started calling people back anywhere else?

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 July 2009 Sam My last post on this subject. I'll repeat what I've already stated. Working for the railroad has always been being on call 24/7 if your in the freight pools or extra boards. The days of road jobs that have regular starting times are being wiped out. Even if there were the oldheads would be on them there preferred jobs. In my area the road switchers were placed last year in the freight pools and we are barely hanging on to the last two locals. I don't have 2 years left out here it's precisely 5 years 1 month and 15 days. I've worked 95% of my career on the road you can't tell me anything about being on call 24/7 I've lived the life. I've lived in bunkhouses for years on end working at other locations. I've sacrificed family and friends over this job that's probably my one regret. I came from a time when railroading was in your blood sadily that isn't the case anymore even for me. Railroaders were a close knit family that too isn't the case anymore. I'll just quietly work my last remaining years and fade away.

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 July 2009 Gotta take a rain check - Masta sezs i gots to be on call for chain gang duty any minute now. Chain smoking Camels and drinking coffee with expresso chasers. Ah, the life (?) of a railroader. 24/7 includes on-call hours with no wages. Providing "on call' services 24/7 is 365 days x 24 hours/day = 8,720 on call hours per person every year. The guarantee pays far less than even half of that (more like about 30%). The carriers made out like bandits. Good luck sucking the Guarantee titty before the Devil knows your dead. The Union got an illusory guarantee, the carrers get BILLIONS of FREE on call duty hours every year. CSX is grinnin like a very satisfied bunny rabbit. NoMo, if I quit can I come live with you?

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 July 2009 RRJ is going to retire on a yard job and I'm going to retire marked off on union business. How do you like that Sam. Your all invited to come participate in a big fatty on my last day.( That meant you also, NoMo )

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 06 July 2009 Hey Z: Am I invited? I feel slighted...must be a union deal! Maybe I'll just sue. Yeah, that's the ticket. Oh, I've forgot...I've already done that...maybe I'll just go Downtown and get lucky, while Sam is waiting for his call. Slavery...I can swing that way..black leather, fish nets and stillettos...handcuffs...my type of women! Life is good when the railroad is no longer your master, the cell phone your wife...but you must be able to deal with the reality of a normal life...or you'll die! It's hard to live 40 years on the RR and retire to a normal life. how many men do you know that have died with in a year after retiring. The entire argument is moot...you don't like the deal, quit! It's easy, just turn in your resignation...there's 100's waiting to replace you, or you don't like being "on call", just take a yard job. Oh, you can't hold a yard job...tough shit. Like I've said before, unless you're number 1 on the seniority roster, the view never changes. You know that, RRJ knows that and Sam knows that. With 30 years plus, you all know nothing will change overnight. The unions suck, the carriers suck and the system sucks. So what is the best way to create change? The Locals, how will that create change? It won't unless the members become active...the BLEt is full of well aged individuals that know how things work. On the other hand, the UTU is full of members that don't the difference between shit and shinola. It was always in my best interest to train the new hires, including how the RR and union worked...it was a job that seldom paid dividends. I tried to attend Union meetings every chance I could, a hour a month was no big deal...whether or not things went my way, my opinion was always heard. Besides, a new union or new leadership just means a new set of crooks in office, history tells us that!

Name: Sam the Slave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 July 2009 RRJ the “OLD HEAD”. Here we go again. We are free to quit? If anyone believes that, they are living alone in a one room cave with no contact from the outside village people. The rest of us have families and financial obligations. Quitting is not an option. On the other hand - change, and facilitating change, IS an option – but only if we get some MUCH better union leadership, and SUBSTANTIAL integration of the younger work force (another topic for another day). Your free to do whatever you want 24/7??! – EXCEPT, your fired if you get caught having a beer with the guys, take your wife out to dinner and a movie, or attend your grandson’s baseball game. In my book that’s not freedom. That is called house arrest without pay. In the South before the Civil War it was called SLAVERY. Modernly, CSX calls it “24/7”. Call it what you want. It's illegal, unlawfull, and unfair. I call it SLAVERY. You can call it what you want. Sure your "free" to work 24/7 for 30 years on the RR - but like RRJ, many never hold a regular yard job with stable hours. What kind of "freedom" is that? The young ones are free to facilitate change by attending union meetings? Sure, as long as they agree with the union bosses and agree to the “majority” – which means the young ones would have to agree to take it in the ass again when it comes to wages and guarantees and everything else. What new hire is going to join the Union meetings to facilitate that? The company obviously plays off the old heads against the new hires like Liberace played the keys on his piano. The Unions go along to get along. Eventually, everyone will get screwed….old and new – just ask the UAW. As long as the young ones keep getting screwed under the present caste system, they will NEVER participate. Who in their right mind would? Your free to be on call 24/7 – but your not free to live a normal life. Your free to be on call 24/7 – as long as its 24/7 without pay Your free to get a guarantee for 24/7 – but you don’t get paid 24/7 Your free to train for conductor – buy your not free to work for 30 days before being laid off Your free to mark up on the extra board – but not free to mark off Your guaranteed to work a shift 24/7 – but your not guaranteed wages for 24/7 Your free to strike – but you are never allowed to strike. You like the 24/7 system – but your stuck working irregular temp jobs for 30+ years till you retire RRJ says he is an old head and his pay and retirement are secure, and he’s outa this dump in 2 years - the new Fed regs on wages be damned - but the new guys should hang around, participate,and facilitate change? Sounds to me like the Captain of the Titantic telling the passengers to man the bucket brigade while he’s sailing away in the only available life boat. This all reminds me of the story of the two railroaders killing time in New York on a lay over: an Old Head and a New Hire are walking around New York’s Time Square on a warm summer day, looking for something to do. Walking provocatively toward them are three incredibly beautiful and sexy long legged Super-Models dressed only in the latest silky ‘see-through’ negligee fashions. New Hire can hardly believe his luck – lustful fantasies instantly leap into his head - but, having little experience in such a unique situation, he smartly turns to Old Head and whispers: “I say we fuck all three of em - right here, right now!”. Old Head scowls, wrinkles his thick brow for a moment as he watches the scantily clad beauties jiggle, bounce and smile as they approach, then turns to New Hire and says: “OK…..Fuck ‘em out of what?”

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 July 2009 RRJ is going to retire on a yard job and I'm going to retire marked off on union business. How do you like that Sam. Your all invited to come participate in a big fatty on my last day. Sam, explain to me how you are concluding a person is available 24/7 for nothing? The extra board is paid a guarantee, work or not, to be available. If you make over the guarantee, all is good. If you sit at home two weeks all is still good. Two weeks at home and you get paid. Chain gangs aren't paid a guarantee, but catch out before extra board men are called, which usually gives them a good pay day. Chain gangs are bid in and, people that haven't got the seniority to hold a regular run, usually bid these jobs in before taking a extra board. It is done by choice usually, not because they are forced to be on the chain gang. Most people that work them do because they like the way it works. When everything else is exhausted, now it's time to ring the extra board. There are variations to the way this works, but most of the time the variations were approved by the craft and company. Both wanted it.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 July 2009 Sam "The Slave" You're free to do whatever you want till that phone rings. No one is stopping you. Heck you can drink get drunk if you feel like it. Just like any other job if you show up get busted your gone. I know responding to you is like talking to a brick wall nothing sinks in. Like someone else stated if you got yourself into a financial mess then it's your fault for thinking the way you do. Over the years I liked being on call 24/7 it worked for me. Now a days it's more of a young persons game let them make the road money. I'm content with holding one of the few engineer yard jobs left even on a temporary basis during vacations. With all the downsizing I can't hold a permanent yard assignment. In a few years with at least 2 more retirements hopefully no more downsizing I'll retire on a yard assignment. See nothing is fair.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 06 July 2009 Lloyd It has nothing to do with greed that's a scape goat. I've posted on this site many times telling people to avoid getting into a money pit. At work I try to give advise base everthing on a 10 day half if you make over it then that's gravy. Now we have new obstical the Fed regs on July 16th. People are worried about their pay. It isn't going to concern me nothing will change in fact I might work more seeing there is time off associated with it. Worse case scenario my pay will remain the same. NoMo made a good point certian groups ban together to get things accomplished. I've witnessed it several times. People with a common concern who you never see at a union meeting sticking together. My location oldheads are out numbered by at least a 3-1 ratio. It's time for the new generation to stand up to the plate. Paying your monthly dues doesn't make you part of a union getting involved is the key. I've been involved since the '70s in either one the UTU or BLE(T). There is no excuse that a person should be able to attend a minimum of 4 union meetings a year. People can't cry over spilled milk if they didn't bother to participate.

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 05 July 2009 Just because we have all worked free on call hours 24/7 like slaves, (and continue to work them like slaves) does not justify the practice, and does not preclude us from changing the rules. Quitting is not a solution. The poster who says "quit" if you don't like working free 24/7 on call hours like a slave, is a COWARD. Your either a Company Lackey, or your are in denial of reality. My opinion is 24/7 without compensation for 24/7, is slavery - has, is, and always will be. If you dis-agree, then you must like being a slave and working for free (e.g. Corporate Office). If you are reading this, consider yourself facilitated. Unpaid 24/7 on call is SLAVERY. Oh, and that Corporate Office Harvard greenhorn half-wit who keeps posting on here under different IDS, do us a favor and run out onto Water Street and play in the traffic - preferably during rush hour with a big red target painted on your ass that says, "FUCK ME HERE - I"m An IDIOT".

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 05 July 2009 Hey Lloyd: Greed was not the intended point of my post, rather the true nature of "Windows Agreements". The senior men have always and will always hold the preferred jobs. The comment about the Union meeting was made to show the dynamics of the local and the utter apathy of the new hires when it comes to taking their destiny into their own hands. In Mobile, new hires, those with less than 5 years service, out number old heads 2 to 1. It's simple math...with numbers like that the new hires should be able to shape local agreements more to their liking, but they have to participate, they don't, then they want to bitch about it. I'm sure the ratio of old heads to new hires is fairly constant system wide. Majority rules but you have to attend to vote, if you don't, you lose because a few old heads will always attend and they'll vote their best interest!

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 05 July 2009 Just goes to show you how many old greedy bastards there are on this railroad. If some of them didn't live beyond their means I'm pretty sure this kind of shit wouldn't happen. RRJ says its all about the "Y" generation, well fella its not all roses with the "O" generation either. Every generation has its fair share of terds.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 05 July 2009 Hey Z and RRJ: They went to a windows agreement on the NO&M about 5 years ago...a four hour window then they started paying. The old heads caught the day trains outbound and evening/night trains inbound...same ride every trip. The old heads even proposed that only the windows crews could vote changes to the windows agreement, I objected to that and after I explained why, it was tabled. The best attended union meeting I ever attended, every old head road and local conductor and brakeman attended, even if they had to lay off. Men and women that I never saw at a union meeting were there to vote on something that would effect them...not to many new hires though. A perfect example of local political dynamics at work. The problem on the return trip was crew management would run the windows crews around the pool and extra board men, with a nod from the superintendent. They wouldn't have to pay because the window's man wasn't rested for the next trip south. Or, they would just hold the next southbound until the man was rested. Several times I was first out for 36 hours before being called because of the runarounds. On several occasions I spoke to the Chief Dispatcher about the runarounds, they didn't like windows because of that...I usually received my call within a hour. The TM at Gentilly was usually livid when I got there...oh well, it's better to be pissed off than pissed on!

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 05 July 2009 Freedom to quit? Its a free world? LOL. If that were true, 99.9% of the world's work force would be soakin up the sun in the Bahamas 24/7 - including me. And money would grow on trees, free for the pluckin. ================================================================= It takes two words. I quit. As bad as I hate the environment we are in, I'm glad to have a job the way our economy is and it hasn't hit bottom. Always know your options, outs and capabilities to make your own destiny. Never overextend yourself to become a slave of the company. Always have enough in the bank to survive a year if not two. I expect nothing from the railroad and I don't want them expecting anything from me. The company has no compassion for us, nor I for them. It's just a payday I can accept or do without. Expect nothing from the unions, except paying dues. I work for change, but except the fact that change is slow and will not come until every member of a union is active, which means the massive reforms that need to be made are a long time coming, if ever. The carriers haven't got the insight to in vision what could be and neither have the unions.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 05 July 2009 Oh no, here we go again. When I started there were no guarantees. You also could lay off when you wanted. When the guaranteed boards came into the picture, the carriers slowly have taken the lay off away from us. They pay you on a extra board to be available, if you work or not. We also adjusted the boards before the current system. Another thing we don't do anymore. You still heard bitching, when we adjusted the boards. If the old heads of those days weren't getting a start every day, they wanted the boards cut. When it went from a 16 hour day to 12, there was more bitching. The carriers got what they wanted full time employees and the men thought they got what they wanted, guarantees. When the carriers started regulating the boards, they did it the same way the old heads of my era did it. They kept as few men on them as they had to. The old heads did it out of greed and so does the carrier. The old head kept the numbers low so they could make all they could. Now the carriers keep them low and try to regulate them, to keep from paying guarantee and fringes to employees that sit at home. Not a perfect system, but the men wanted guarantees and they got them. The carriers were willing to pay them to have full time employees and they got them. The problem lies with the right to lay off within reason, without being harassed by the carriers. RRJ, the window slots you spoke about have been tried on several railroads, at random locations, through vest pocket agreements. As you are aware, there would have to be a lot of trains out of a terminal to do this. Usually it's done on a 4 hour window. The senior employee gets the day slots and the youngest gets the left overs, with the extra board filling the rest. Sam, your laying on the island, drinking, with money growing on trees theory makes no sense. You have three choices. Accept what it is, quit or try to facilitate change.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 04 July 2009 Sam I don't know why you state you've been on the railroad 30+ years. If you had been then you'ld know that it's always been this way. I don't know why you even work for the railroad if you're questioning being on call. Your getting way off track you are compensated very well for your time. You couldn't make this kind of money elsewhere if you could you wouldn't be working for the railroad. Maybe it's time to get another occupation. Maybe a politician seeing your blind to reality and like twisting words around to conform to your own ideas. You're definitely part of the "Y" generation. Even if the unions were to get an 8 hour calling time it would technically be 24/7 only difference a person wouldn't have any excuse for not being rested. I've read and heard about several proposals over my years out here like windows of calling times which wasn't a bad idea. It wasn't even considered by CSX it would of had to been with a gaurentee. I liked it the older seniority which would be me would always get first shift they usually run less trains between 0700-1500 during the week days. Which would still make the person with less seniority mad because they would feel it wasn't fair. Well, get over it nothing ever is fair in life you learn to live with it.

Name: SAm E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 04 July 2009 SLAVE: (Webster's dictionary). ..." a person who is subject to the will of another....one wholly under the financial dominion of another.....labor without compensation...." 24/7 is a "pay" and "wage" issue with CSX and the other roads - they are happy to work you 'on call' 24/7 as long as they dont have to pay you for your 'on call' time 24/7. The 24/7 rule is also used by management as a convenient tool to mistreat and abuse workers. CSX and the other roads are BIG on mistreatment and abuse - its a perpetual orgasmic need for power with no other purpose than complete dominion and control. Sounds a little like Nazism, doesnt it? 24/7 is slavery. Call it what you want. I call it slavery.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 04 July 2009 That's a very short and simple definition of slavery which is inaccurite. We're free to make change in our lives. But, you hit the nail on the head it's about money. Seeing we're just employees then with it requires adapting to the work envirement. Which today constantly changes. Everyone was informed that the job requires being on call 24/7 when they hired out that has never changed. You can't cry foul over that one. If you didn't like it when they mentioned it you should of left with the other 50% who walked out of the hiring session.

Name: SAm E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 July 2009 24/7 without pay for 24/7 - is slavery. The definition of slavery is work duty without pay. The "forced" part is inherent. Remember that old song "..I been working on the railroad all my live long days...."? There is a reason for that lyric, and its not because Dinah is in the kitchen gettin ready to blow on your horn. Freedom to quit? Its a free world? LOL. If that were true, 99.9% of the world's work force would be soakin up the sun in the Bahamas 24/7 - including me. And money would grow on trees, free for the pluckin. The railroad wants you 24/7 because they dont want to pay another person to pick up the hours - that would mean adding a body to the work force and we all know that would be blasphemy. And, they sure as hell are not paying us 24/7. They know you are not going to quit - you cant afford to quit. No one can. Corporate Office is a brain washed idiot. Probably just fresh out of Harvard and couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel. Well, maybe with Daddy's help he could.... 24/7 is what it is. SLAVERY.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Yard Master, for Less than 1 year Posted: 03 July 2009 Regardless of how hard you try..you can't fix stupid!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 03 July 2009 E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 July 2009 No one is a slave. Everyone is free to make a choice stay or leave. Technically we are a 24/7 business and subject to call within the 24/7. The days of scheduled trains are a thing of the past except for Amtrak. There might be a few road switchers that still have a window of calling times but CSX has gone about eliminating these jobs that had the set-back claim. I understand those who have spent many years working for the railroad sticking it out till retirement. I don't understand those who still have a life time left to work who hate it why they don't quit and move on. It's not going to get any better in the near future. It might get better when those in the executive offices leave and their replacements make change. I've seen it happen several times over the years. It's a matter of adapting. I see to many people who still fight change. It only frustrates them, management doesn't care. I'm not condoning the changes it frustrates the heck out of me. It's a matter of having to deal with it. I only have a few years left which hopefully that time will go by quickly. I'll just quietly retire.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Old number 4 on the 1-10 is laying out the laundry list. I will regret this for the rest of my life, but he is right on man. Right on TARGET... I will never admit to this post...???? However he is 100% RIGHT, Get with it or leave. Real Man/Woman does that. It does not mean they are not good, or qualified, it simply means they have other interest that may be better or may be a whole lot worse. That is called life choices.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 July 2009 No one is a slave. Everyone is free to make a choice stay or leave. Technically we are a 24/7 business and subject to call within the 24/7. The days of scheduled trains are a thing of the past except for Amtrak. There might be a few road switchers that still have a window of calling times but CSX has gone about eliminating these jobs that had the set-back claim. I understand those who have spent many years working for the railroad sticking it out till retirement. I don't understand those who still have a life time left to work who hate it why they don't quit and move on. It's not going to get any better in the near future. It might get better when those in the executive offices leave and their replacements make change. I've seen it happen several times over the years. It's a matter of adapting. I see to many people who still fight change. It only frustrates them, management doesn't care. I'm not condoning the changes it frustrates the heck out of me. It's a matter of having to deal with it. I only have a few years left which hopefully that time will go by quickly. I'll just quietly retire.

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 02 July 2009 Guys, didn't you know that we were 24/7 SLAVES when we hired out? No? Me neither. Doesnt say much for our union, either. I think that 24/7 rule came about when the current CSX corporate nazis took over, burned the safety rule book, hung all the crosses upside down in all the churchs, and smeared rat blood on the front doors of all railroad families with first born male babies. Corporate Office 30+ sounds more like Corporate Office fetch the lunch bag & coffee boy for P.R. - wait a few years puppy, then let's see you shit out the thousand miles of corporate office dick that's going to permanently clog your anus and rot your brain. Then they will fire your dumb ass for being such an ass kissing mumbly mouthed idiot.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 02 July 2009 Hey Corporate Office... Being the brainiac that this company obviously thinks you are, how in the hell could this job be 24/7? It might be 12/7 and sometimes even 10/5 but its never 24/7...we are not the police force or the fire department, we just move freight. There is a lot of hate by many for this company but let me assure you its for very good reason. The people you work for in Jacksonville could give two shits about anyone out here on the ground working for this crooked outfit. Do you honestly think they care more about the fact a man died, or do you think they put more emphasis on a measely statistic? Is it a race to save lives or is it a race to win a trophy? Do they care about how many guys are out of work because of dumb decisions they made when hiring all these new guys? Do they care about what happens to a family after they put a man on the street over some petty rule violation that should never have made it to the book in the first place? How about the fact this CEO and his buddies act like a Neo-Nazi regime? What about the fact our payroll department declines valid claims and never repays us what we are owed? Yeah I'm sure your response will be why not quit or you could leave anytime. There is really no other option out there for me at the present time but if one comes available I'll be out the door in a hurry. I've never witnessed a company shit on its employees like this one does. I'm sure some of the people in corp office aren't treated like gold but unless you people read this site or have dealt with it yourselves you have no idea what goes on out here. Massive changes need to take place before something real bad happens. I'm sure I'm not alone on my feelings corporate office so lets hope you really are who you say you are and maybe you can copy and paste this to all those guys down there in Florida who might give a shit.

Name: RETIRED E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 01 July 2009 to corporate ofFice with 30 plus years. -I RETIRED 2 YEARS AGO TODAY WORKED 42YEARS ENJOYED MY JOB AND WORK FOR THE FIRST 30 YEARS I GOT WHERE I HATED THE R.R. AND THE u T U EVEN MORE IN MY LAST FEW YEARS. I GOT to THE POINT THAT I FELT LIKE THE U T U LET EVERyONE DOWN NOT THE R.R. I DONOT BLAME THE R.R. FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING FOR THE UNION SHOULD BE STOPING A LOT OF THE SHIT EVERYONE IS HAVING TO DEAL WITH. WITH PEOPLE REPRESENTING YOU LIKE john HANCOCK you need not expect any better in the furure. It is really bad when the r.r. hires a young man out of school with no r.r. experence to tell someone how to do their job when they have years of work experence.no one should be hiding in the bushes to fire you if he donot like what you are doing go to your face and talk to you . donot be a snake in the grass.nothing is going to change untill everyone working becomes one that is one union the u t u stinks for selling everyone out sooner or latter this will be. have a good 4th july i

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 01 July 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 01 July 2009 Guys, When you applied at the RR all those years ago, were you not told the job was 24/7. I know for my 30+ years it has always been 24/7. Can't understand anyone hating a place so bad they would stay for one year let-a-lone, 30+, says something about that person doesn't it. He/She must like punishment if they really hate their job as bad as these people do/did. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Easy to make statements when you haven't a clue. Keep conducting your desk in the AC. Or maybe your a corporate throttle puller. I think most of the old heads will tell you, we at one time loved the place. Maybe the reason we don't now is because of people in the corporate office like you. Also it wasn't 24/7 when I hired on. Sir, I can assure you that you are one of the problems, with a smart ass statement like the one you made.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 01 July 2009 Guys, When you applied at the RR all those years ago, were you not told the job was 24/7. I know for my 30+ years it has always been 24/7. Can't understand anyone hating a place so bad they would stay for one year let-a-lone, 30+, says something about that person doesn't it. He/She must like punishment if they really hate their job as bad as these people do/did.

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 30 June 2009 Hello All- I am seeking any information from anyone that knows: (1) about the relationship or contract [if any] between CSX and Goodyear Tire Co. to service/replace and/or repair its Goodyear tires that are utilized, for instance, on backhoes including, but not limited to, (a)is it a national agreement, i.e., are Goodyear tires used in all the CSX operating states?; (b) who at CSX would be the person that would negotiate for CSX with Goodyear on tire purchase and (c)service "after the sale", if any, topics; (2) Is there any studies that CSX did/does and/or that they rely upon for working in the heat and protection of its MofW workers; (3) What is the CSX policy (if there is one) on working conditions (regarding heat exposure) it will allow its MofW workers to be exposed to? If anyone has this knowledge, I would prefer to use my email to receive this information at sgordon@gordon-elias.com instead of a response to this post and I would be extremely grateful to anyone that can shed some light on these issues. You obviously do not need to give your name to me. Thank you all for what you do. Steve Gordon http://www.Gordon-Elias.com

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 25 June 2009 Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 25 June 2009 Better to have Swiss Cheese and fart than to have chronic diarreha 24/7/365. The old Unions are crap. We need something better. You and others say the old Unions are crap. They suck. But you dont want a new, better organized, better represented union. What, exactly, do you want to see and how would you go about doing it? ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// My last post to you about Unions. There will not be anything better, by forming a new Union! It will be the same Union, with the same members that currently do not participate. The same bureaucracy will exist, because the members are not active now and won't be under a new Union. Man I wish you would find a new topic.

Name: JET E-mail: Jetcherokee@yahoo.com Employed as: Brakeman, for 30+ years Posted: 22 June 2009 To whom this may concern:I worked for the railroad over forty(40 yrs.) I worked as crew caller, fireman and enginer some times in engine service, I tranfered to brakeman a few yrs. later and worked as yard conductor, road brakeman,I started for the B&O Railroad in 1953 and I also worked for the Tennessee Railroad back in 1944 as crew caller,o.k.last but lease, The CSXhad the railroad when I Retired in Aug. 1993, let me tell you this, when the CSX had taken over, yes it was a new ball game, The CSX wasn"t a railroad co., they was more for Export and import, well I"ll shut up now, may have said to much, all tho I don"t think so. Thank you. Sincerely:Jet.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 1-10 years Posted: 17 June 2009 This may also help Mr.Smith http://www.trainlawblog.com/2009/02/federal-railroad-safety-act-1/frsas-sharp-teeth-starting-to-bite-railroads/ http://www.osha.gov/dep/oia/whistleblower/acts/frsa.html http://railroadworkersunited.org/sites/rwu.prometheuslabor.com/files/CSX%20Harrassment%20FRA%20Report.pdf

Name: csmith E-mail: Employed as: Engine repair, for 1-10 years Posted: 17 June 2009 does anyone have a phone number of an FRA AGENT in Georiga, I had an injury requiring surgery, and was told at my investigation during a break, that if I only reported one injury, the plant manager would have a talk with me when I got back to work, making me think I would keep my job, but they fired me anyway. They only reported one injury and showed the second injury as non reportable

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Friend or family of employee, for Less than 1 year Posted: 16 June 2009 I am so glad working in an environment now where someones hard work ethic is appreciated. I left this crap hole this past year. CSX can honestly go to hell. UTU and the BLE can follow them...:0) I honestly felt while I was there that I did a serious crime and I was assigned community service, but just got paid for it. But of course, I worked in the Baltimore Terminal. From what I here, I heard other trainmasters around the system (even the REDI Center) threatens employees who do something wrong that they will send them to Baltimore if they do something else wrong. LMAOOOO HAVE A SAFE CSX DAY!!!

Name: Bad ass switchman E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 16 June 2009 who is this bad ass train master out of school talking about I'm black so come fire me ass I will drag your ass under a train and beat the shit out of you that's one thing I can't stand about this site some dump ass trying to act hard come on down to Hamlet and let us show you who the bad ones are beat you will be running home to your mommy

Name: Just out of training E-mail: BaddA$$MoFoMastah@csx.net Employed as: Train Master/ supervisor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 16 June 2009 Wow. all you guys got is bad spelling as a comback? Hay guys why don't you stop worring about my spelling and worry about those extra inches your womens been looking for all these years. Summer time is coming and its time to have those BBQs Why don't you invite me over and we will get to know each other. While Im there I'll give those extra inches to your womens she been missing all these years. When God made me he told me I had two choices. You can be a master at word smithing or you can have a big male member. I asked, "Well what will open up doors for success?" He said, well having good grammar and spelling will certainly get you thru the door. But if your grammar sucks and also your spelling, and they try to shut the door, you can block it open with your big dick. Oh buy the way, when I come over tell your wife to wear those tight short shorts :) Have a safe day

Name: Trainmaster BlackList E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 1-10 years Posted: 15 June 2009 Commuity College aka Jethro Bonehead Trainmaster Show us your Commuity (spellchecking LOL) College edUma-cation you learned by those Nazi Bastards. Raise your head or open your Big Mouth then see how the University of HardKnocks Graduates kicks you in the teeth and make you cry, quit or get fired. Trainmaster Blacklist 1. 2. 3. 4, 5. 6. 7. 8. 9

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 15 June 2009 Alright trainmaster if that is a real post and your such a bad ass whats your name.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Car repair, for 10-20 years Posted: 15 June 2009 It is Community..... SPELL CHECK MY BOY, SPELL CHECK

Name: Just out of training E-mail: BaddA$$MoFoMastah@csx.net Employed as: Train Master/ supervisor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 15 June 2009 Im a new trainmaster fresh out of training. Im 26 years old and got this job at a job semminar at my Commuity College. If any of you give me any shit you will help me make a name for myself. They taught me well and I know exactly what to do. I have a very big spoon over my shoulder the size of a spike puller. If you people hide or ignore me I will start sturring this spoon till someone or ones rise to the top of the tird pool. I will test you. If you don't like it I will fire your ass! Oh ya, If I see anyone wearing BLACK or if you are Black on June 19th YOU ARE FIRED! Have a safe day :)

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 14 June 2009 I tell you what. I am so glad I have left this place..:0) CSX is horrible. Their management needs to realize "The way you treat your people is the type of work ethic you will get in return"!!! Then the low life union (other wise known as the UTU) took close to $400.00 out of my vacation paycheck this week!!!! And what the hell have they done for me in the last 6 months besides tell me what they are trained to say (they can do that, they can do that, they can do that, they can do that,etc...over and over again)?? HELL, WHAT THE F DID THEY DO FOR ME MY WHOLE 4 year CAREER??? Both the BLET and UTU are in the companies left hand pocket!!! That place is the biggest joke. So I can not wait to see what they take out of my second vacation paycheck for 6/19/09-6/27/09 but I will definitely keep you up to date on just how much our (more like yours now) unions are low lives (UTU & BLE). I have said it before and I will say it again (like my mother said), That place is for prison inmates who just got out of prison and looking for a career!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For you old guys and mid-career guys (and gals), I understand, your putting in your time to get your pention. Most importantly, you started when this place was a GREAT place to work at. But you new guys?? What the hell are you thinking about?? Honestly?? This place is TTTHHHEEEEE biggest joke. And what more proof do you need when this site was sued by CSX and went to court and this site/owner WON??? HHHEEELLLOOOOOOO???????? When you work for a place that has a web site that goes in depth about how bad it is, then that web site gets sued by the company, AND THEN THE WEB SITE WINS??? What more proof do you need that you are working for/in a bad environment?? But I had a guy who worked in my terminal who was SHOT (YES, GUN, SHOT) twice and out of service. I thought you had to pass a background check to get into this job?? Criminal background check at that. Again, that place was a joke and I could go on and on and on...I just want to say, I made some great friendships at CSX among my so-called brothers and sisters (BLT & UTU, just not the the reps BECAUSE I WAS SMART). And I hope the best for all of you non-management people. For you management people, I work M-F, make just as much as you do, and you know where you can go. Oh, by the way, I do not get called at 2:00a.m. for a derailment caused by another idiotic, inner-city kid by my a manager (Superintendant in your case) and I do not get called period when I leave the office..LMAOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am working M-F, do not get called by an ignorant caller who my 7 year old's IQ is higher than, etc. (Again, ON AND ON AND ON AND ON)...LMAO When it comes to CSX callers and management, lets face it, it doesn't take much!!!LMAOOOOOO By all means, I am not bragging (just to CSX LOW LIFE MANAGEMENT).. Good luck to you older guys. This is one (and an on-going) hell of a transition you must be going through from your earlier years. For you younger guys, get out while you can. Realize the schooling/$4800 was a waste and move on to another career. I am now working for the gov't and I am going to the aviation school of maintenance. I plan on being a mechanic in the aviation industry and having my engineering degree within two years (80 credits to go)....:0) Good luck and god bless..:0)

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 12 June 2009 I have been reading this stuff, and I know now why I left Kentucky 40 years ago. Statements like I am doing the best I can. We are working Hard to support your cause. We are a Boutique just 2 of us working as hard as we can for YOU. Easy to say, Hard to really DO. Roots are deep but these fuckers are just Suckers on the Host. I see them everyday, they need to work and make a buck. Sorry, they will need to be more creative.

Name: Marcus Cor Von E-mail: marcus@gov.ab.ca Employed as: Yard Master, for 30+ years Posted: 12 June 2009 fuck you sdfafdsadsfasd fsdf asd f fsda sd af asdf sdf dasf df dsfa adsf d sf sdf a ads d sda sdf daf dsg dg gd g gfda gafga f fdagagdf gf/ ga. asdg gfa. gaf. fga d gfa. gfa ga. af. a df. gfa. fdh. adf. g' g.adf .ga ga. df gfa.

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 09 June 2009 Dear Safety Strike- I agree with EVERYTHING you said. ------------------- Dear APE- I took the liberty of posting your most important post here: http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/ask-attorney-steve-gordon-gordon-elias-law-firm/13276-railroad-workers-united-june-19th.html#post123340 Our firm will be joining you all. ------------------- Dear Just one more law firm searching for business???? I would ask that you not generalize please. Steve

Name: Safety Strike E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 09 June 2009 Name: SAFETY STRIKE E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 08 June 2009 Steve, To answer your specific question, I would not select a law firm based solely on whether that firm is Union designated, or not Union designated. First and foremost, I would interview a lawyer to see is he or she has had TRIAL EXPERIENCE - and plenty of actual trial experience - someone who is FEARLESS, EXPERIENCED, AND PREPARED for ANY exigent circumstance. ALSO, any firm that settles the vast majority of its cases out of court and without a trial is VERY suspect in my book - settling the vast majority of cases out of court without trial - particularly death cases and asbestos/lung disease/brain cancer cases - to me raises red flags in that the firm is most likely a push-over for the Railroads, and probably has very little trial experience - and most likely the injured worker is not going to get the monetary award level, future medical care, or job rehabilitation benefits that he or she should be getting. Getting the fast buck becomes the goal, rather than properly and adequately representing the client. Firms that post big awards are are also suspect - it is a marketing gimmick to lasso clients - in my book these firms are suspect from the get go. I know a lot of FELA lawyers who got big jury verdict awards for railroaders, and are still waiting a decade later for any money. You can be a genius at winning a jury award - and toot your horn, but then loose on appeal due to a simple jury instruction - or otherwise fail to bring home a fair and justifiable settlement within a reasonable time period. (THE BIGGER PICTURE): lawyers - union authorized or otherwise - are a necessary evil in the perpetually unsafe working conditions that are perpetuated on the railroad - they get money to help ease the pain, but don't do much to stop the existence of the unsafe condition that caused the injury in the first place. The railroader gets injured, the railroader gets money, the lawyer gets a cut of the settlement, and the Railroad continues on its merry, unsafe, way. (The case in point are the thousands of cancer cases settled by CSX related to toxic chemical exposure - its cheaper to kill us than to make us safe....) What we need are VAST improvements in working conditions, and SUBSTANTIVE changes in accounting principles when it comes to balance sheet classification of "labor". Funny how Congress can pay billions in bonuses to crooked Wall Street Bankers, but spend NOT A PENNY on railroad infrastructure to improve workplace safety. Apparently, it is cheaper to kill and maim us, than it is to make make the environment safer for us to work in. It's cheaper to kill or maim us because we are "costs" on the company balance sheet. If railroad workers were classified under accounting rules as "assets" on the balance sheet instead of "costs", it would be very different when it came to spending money on improving the working conditions. It's easy to "pay off" a broken down "costly" worker, and replace him or her with another inherently un-valuable "costly" worker, but it would be corporate heresy to recklessly destroy or injure a worker if that worker was accounted for as a million dollar "asset". Not too much of a philosophical gap to overcome, except for hundreds of years of Machiavellian management that has kept safety progress in the workplace almost non-existent, which of course results in the stunting of economic achievement, and the significant strangulation of productivity along with a broken down quality of life. FELA lawyers are the best equipped and most intelligent people around when it comes to knowledge about unsafe and unhealthy workplace conditions on the railroads - they read the thousands of cases, know the complex laws, understand the safety problems, and know the business of politics within the administrative, judicial and legislative branches of government. However, you rarely if ever see FELA union (or non-union) lawyers take the Bully Pulpit and raise holy hell with Congress, or lobby intensely for billions in capital funding to improve railroad working conditions. No one is willing to take the bull by the horns. Everyone is content to sit back and make money on the status quo of unsafe railroad working conditions. Why rock the boat? Don't get me wrong. Without FELA lawyers, railroaders would be at the mercy of the carriers - the slaughter would be gruesome and grim. However, regardless of who the FELA firm is, no amount of money will bring back a dead railroader, or give back the quality of life of an injured railroader, or assauge the grief of the family whose father was killed by reckless railroad management decisions and unsafe working conditions. I just happen to believe that the present system of compensating injured railroad workers simply perpetuates the very root of the cause of injuries - unsafe working conditions - from which FELA lawyers - and Company lawyers for that matter - make a whole lot of money.....and, therein lies the problem......too many people making too much money off a broken down system that does nothing to make the desparately needed improvements in our presently unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. Steve, it is not a simple answer to your question of who railroaders like to pick as a lawyer - in the bigger picture, we are more concerned with having a safe working environment - basically, we really do NOT like being killed and injured in the first place. Thanks for your interest in posting on this Board.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 09 June 2009 Steve, I think you can already see that you will receive different answers from people as to what is important to them, not only concerning your question about a union designated lawyer, but other concerns as well. As far as I'm concerned, I'm going with a lawyer based on several aspects. I want the lawyer to have deep pockets, proven trial experience with positive trial results. I want to know the individual on a professional level, so I really know what makes them tick and how they think. Some people who have replied to you are concerned about the amount of time it has taken to settle. Others are concerned about settling on the court house steps. Still others are concerned about a case being assigned to the least experienced lawyer in a firm. Now I'll give you my opinion. Like the old saying goes everyone has one, just like a asshole. I want deep pockets in the firm, so a quick settlement won't have to be made by a lawyer because they are strapped for cash. I want proven trial experience, with a lawyer who has a reputation with winning cases. I also realize the railroads know who these attorneys are and the settlement amount can go higher if it doesn't go to court. I want a lawyer that can prove 100% negligence on the railroads part. No 50/50 deal on contributable negligence. I want a lawyer that is well spoken when explaining FELA law to a jury, if the case goes to court. I want a lawyer who is going to consult me if a offer is made outside of court, before excepting the offer. I also don't want to be gouged, for expenses when the settlement is done. I want a person that has integrity when dealing with me, but who is ruthless enough to deal with the railroad and who puts me on the meridian and lets no other factor influence going after the biggest bang for the buck. I like to see the firm have an experienced investigator, with loads of railroad experience. The type person that knows how to accomplish the field work, that is many times crucial in a positive outcome for the injured worker. Now that I have said my say, it really doesn't matter to me if it is a non union or union designated lawyer as long as they understand FELA law and put the injured employee as top priority. I'm pushed for time this morning, so I said it fast and sweet. I may have a few more comments in a few days.

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 June 2009 Dear Been Here too Long- What did you say? Steve

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 June 2009 Dear All- Thank you for the honest responses. I will tell you that we work VERY hard and since there are only two lawyers in our "boutique" law firm you've always got a named partner on your case (LOL!). Seriously, I was hoping to get the responses I received. I think the concept of unions, on paper, are a necessary thing. Lord knows the company has your back alright...to stick a knife in it. So, Unions are a necessary evil...sort of like lawyers! I must say whatever tune we had to sing to get designated was the wrong one we chose. I swear I thought that (1) getting excellent results; (2) making sure the railroader was only treated by Board Certified physicians; (3) advancing money interest free [where ethically permitted to do so so the client could pay their bills]; (4) giving the client the lawyer's cell phone in case they NEED to talk to their lawyer; (5) never settling more than one case ata time instead of "group case settlements" and (6) busting the railroad's ass with a 'take-no-prisoner' mentality and approach would have been enough to get our name in the hat. BUT I WAS WRONG! So...here we are...not able to just call someone up when they are hurt but having to wait till they call us. Please do not get me wrong, we have good business. But I just needed to know that we had a fighting chance in the minds' of railroaders without the designation. Thanks again!

Name: Ed E-mail: edward.oliver@gmail.com Employed as: Friend or family of employee, for 1-10 years Posted: 08 June 2009 Union Pacific is the same way. Make a profit above all else.

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 07 June 2009 Dear All- I have a question and since this is about as anonymous a place to post as one can get in the railroad industry, I thought I would ask here so here goes. As you probably are aware, our firm http//www.gordon-elias.com is not Union Designated. That is, we do FELA work but we were unable to do whatever the heck was necessary to get anointed by a Union Designation from the "higher-ups". You can see and hear my explanation at http://www.gordon-elias.com/CM/Custom/Unions.asp as to what happened. Here is my question: If you were hurt, would you consider hiring a "non-union designated" FELA law firm? If not, why not and if so, why so? The courtesy of a straight answer would be GREATLY appreciated and thank you. Steve Gordon

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 07 June 2009 Hey RRJ I'm not sure she can remember her age with all the booze and weed she used...I think she's about 65. Chief Justice John Roberts is the baby of the other Supremes, he's only 54...we can enjoy his leadership for another 35 years or so!

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 June 2009 NoMo How old is Diana Ross? I know she's had at least 8 other Supremes behind her.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 07 June 2009 Hey Safety Strike: ..."The Supremes are getting a little anal retentive if you ask me'. Of the nine members, the three youngest are 54, 59 and 60 years old; all appointed by Bush 1 and 2. The remaining 6 members range in age from 69 - 89 years old. All but 2 of the Justices ere nominated by Republican Presidents; which is apparent by the decisions rendered over the last 20 or so years. Over the last 20 years the Court has consistently (but not always) sided with Conservatives (business), leaving Liberals (labor) to deal with the brunt of the "Rule of Law". Obama may have the opportunity to nominate 2 or 3 Justices, perhaps swinging the Scales of Justice to a more neutral or even Liberal bent. Although the Justices are suppose to be set aside their personal views, political and religious, we all know this doesn't always happen. All-in-all the system works pretty well...what really astounds me is that the Framers of the Constitution had the foresight to envision our future and create a system which still works 233 years later. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States

Name: Safety Strike E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 20-30 years Posted: 06 June 2009 Thanks Steve Gordon for the additional information. A bit strange how the Supreme Court can say a railroad worker with asbestosis needs to prove a 'fear of cancer' when in 99% of cases where workers have asbestosis they eventually die of cancer. Sort of like asking a dog to bark, or a cow to moo. The Supremes are getting a little anal retentive if you ask me.

Name: old rr guy E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 05 June 2009 Haa.I gotta say. I do not beleive that most of the posters on here actually work for the railroad. On second thought some of the whining does sound vaguely familiar. Example#1: "I can't believe they laid me off after only four months." C'Mon this guy can't be serious. I was laid off more than I worked the first three years I was employed by Conrail. Then, as now there was a huge recession on . No cars were being bought,steel mills were closing up thus no steel was being made, etc, etc.Thousands of cars and engines stored.Thousands laid off. Its a freight railroad. If the freight is down , theres no work. It is not a mystery or someome playing a game with your life. No one put a gun to your head to sign up. Get used to the lousy hours, and sporadic work, you will be living it with no seniority.Otherwise, hang it up and do something else.They are not going to treat you like anything other than an hourly employee. You will not like some of the people you work with. Sorry to rain on your parade. Its a business , not a jobs program.Feel bad for the guys in Buffalo where I started. I am surprised they didn't close down most of the Frontier operation a lot sooner, after the 99 split with NS

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 04 June 2009 Dear Sam, Z, Safety Strike and All Others That Are Interested- I apologize for not responding sooner. I posted the Press Release and just checked back just now [0018HRS---06/04/09]. Anyway, I would like to point out that it was not our firm that handled any part of this case. I think that the underlying firm did an admirable job to get a $5 million dollar JURY award. I have only had one in my professional career and I can tell you they are very hard to get no matter what the damages. So, in that sense, they are to be commended. I was not at the trial and I am only speaking from conjecture. However, having said that, I would like to point out some basic trial "truths" that go through a trial lawyer's wacked out brain. It is hard enough to get a verdict that is sizeable, you kind of want to do everything you can at the trial level to hold on to it when it is appealed. The general consensus on the modus operandi of the railroads are that, anytime you get a sizeable verdict, they will appeal. Hence, protecting your trial record is an all important process ever-present in the back of a trial lawyer's brain during the entire process including, but certainly not limited to, (1)juror selection, (2)medical causation issues [usually dealing with the famous Daubert case, and its progeny, at the federal level], (3)the sufficiency of evidence to support the individual elements of damages, (4)the sufficiency of liability evidence and, (5)as in the CSX v. Hensley case, the wording of the charge. Obviously, CSX prepared the "genuine and serious" instruction and the Plaintiff's counsel argued against it. Sometimes, just to protect your verdict, you will actually let the defendant's proposed instruction go to the jury. This is when you truly believe you've got the jury and there is almost no instruction that will persuade them not to go with you. This is only a call that the trial lawyer can make. The general rule is to try to submit a "plaintiff's favorable" charge and the defense submits their "defendant's favorable" charge and the Court makes up its mind after hearing argument of counsel [and maybe, if you're lucky, actually reading the law]. The CSX lawyers read Ayers as "requiring" the extra instruction, I could easily see how the Plaintiff's lawyer could have been worried that its inclusion could have been an obstacle for the jury to award big damages. It was a call he/she made and they won...at least till it got to the Supreme Court level. From reading the CSX v. Hensley case, Hensley had asbestosis from a long term exposure from working on the railroad. A reading of the Ayers opinion reveals: “Norfolk presented the question whether a plaintiff who has asbestosis but not cancer can recover damages for fear of cancer under the FELA with-out proof of physical manifestations of the claimed emotional distress. Our answer is yes, with an important reservation. We affirm only the qualification of an asbestosis sufferer to seek compensation for fear of cancer as an element of his asbestosis-related pain and suffering damages. It is incumbent upon such a complainant, however, to prove that his alleged fear is genuine and serious.” Norfolk v. Ayers, at 157, 123 S.Ct. 1210 After reading the above, if you had been Hensley's counsel, would you have vehemently argued for its exclusion? How about if you knew that, if it was excluded, that you would risk a reversal on appeal....would you still argue for its exclusion? .......Tough call isn't it? I can not fault the trial lawyer in this decision. I do have one issue that I would like to raise. There are many articles on the following point and they go either way. There is, I believe, a consensus of opinion of good trial lawyers that your 'bigger' awards are usually found with a general damage submission rather than specific damage questions. I will be more specific so you will understand. In some instances you can submit to the jury damage questions like this: "'What sum of money, if paid now in cash, do you award for medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, physical disfigurement' Answer in Dollars & Cents $__________" OR, one could submit it this way: "'What sum of money, if paid now in cash, do you award for medical expenses $_________, loss of wages and/or loss of earning capacity $_____________, physical pain and suffering $__________, mental anguish $___________, physical impairment $__________, physical disfigurement $________' Answer in Dollars & Cents." The latter way permits the trial court, or the appellate court, to take away one element with out disturbing the remainder of the award. The Hensley case was a general/broad submission and, therefore, there was no way for the Supreme Court to determine what part of the $5 million was attributed to the "fear of cancer" award. Once, the Supreme Court determined the CSX proffered instruction should have been given, the ENTIRE case had to be reversed and remanded. This could have been different. Once again, the general belief among trial lawyers that are worth a damn is that bigger awards are found in the one damge line approach BUT......when CSX was denied an instruction that arguably should have been given, don't you think the trial lawyer might have "re-visited" the one line submission before it went to the jury? Well, I do not know if any of the above helps understand this case a little better. I think it was Sam that said something like "Whats the bottom line?" Here it is: A FELA claimant that seeks 'fear of cancer' monetary damages needs to put on evidence that his/her fear is 'genuine and serious' AND submit an 'instruction' worded as such. I do not believe you have to have psychological/psychiatric testimony but I know, if I had a client where this was an issue, I would damn sure make sure the client visited with a a psyche doctor so they could testify how genuine and serious the fear is. Ya'll take care out there and be safe. Steve http://www.gordon-elias.com ps-the Hensley opinion can be downloaded at: http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/legal-news-announcements/12920-csx-v-thursten-hensley-signiificant-u-s-sup-ct-court-fela-decision.html

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 04 June 2009 http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/ugly-people-517.htm Sam's Mommy, who a donkey wouldn't do. So how did Sam get here? After taking a good crap she reached in the toilet and pulled out one of the Cosby kids, naming him Sam. The other brother became famous as Mr. Hanky, while Sam spent all his furlough time as a Internet junkie.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 June 2009 I like it. Bog this website down with cut and pasting. Maybe the poster is tired of the BS of certian people who like C&P critizing every person's point of view. Keep up the good work.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 June 2009 Get the point yet.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 June 2009 (Norfolk Southern issued the following on June 1, 2009.) NORFOLK, Va. — On the 10th anniversary of Norfolk Southern Corporation's acquisition of nearly 60 percent of Conrail, CEO Wick Moorman today thanked customers, suppliers, stockholders, communities, and employees for their hard work and support. "On Day One -- June 1, 1999 -- we set out to build the best freight transportation system in the world," Moorman said. "We have made steady progress toward that goal, and together we have enjoyed a decade of growth and financial success. All of us at Norfolk Southern are grateful to everyone who has played a part in this success, and we look forward to what the next decade brings." Since Day One, when Norfolk Southern added 7,200 miles of Conrail routes and 10,000 former Conrail employees to its system, the railroad has moved 3.5 trillion gross ton-miles of freight. A single train of every carload NS hauled in the last decade could stretch to the moon and back twice -- and then some. In order to meet increased demand and better serve customers, NS over that period has invested nearly $10 billion in capital expenditures to improve track, equipment, facilities, and technology. In new rail alone, NS installed the equivalent of a brand new transcontinental railroad. NS' industrial development activities since Day One resulted in the location or expansion of 1,115 industries along the railroad's lines, representing customer investments of $23.6 billion and creating nearly 55,000 customer jobs in the territory served by the railroad. The Conrail transaction returned competitive rail service to the Northeast for the first time in 20 years. NS sharpened its focus on customer service markedly following the transaction -- especially through its Thoroughbred Operating Plan -- and today is the industry's service benchmark. Most important, it all has been done safely. NS employees have earned the E.H. Harriman Memorial Gold Medal as the safest railroad workers in the U.S. for each of the last 20 years. "The numbers tell an impressive story, but as satisfying as it is to see how far we've come, it's more exciting to look ahead," Moorman said. "Our progress has given us the strength to weather the current economic storm. This recession will pass, and the long-term future for rail as the safe, clean, and fuel-efficient transportation alternative has never been brighter. NS is ready to take advantage of the opportunities that a recovering economy will bring. Ten years from now, along with our partners, we will look back again with amazement at how far we've come together." Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is a leading North American transportation provider. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products. Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 03 June 2009 Railroad accidents have terrible consequences, safety advocates say (The following story by Nicole Printz appeared on the Abilene Recorder Chronicle website on June 2, 2009. T.A. LaCombe is a member of BLET Division 261 in Herington, Kan.) ABILENE, Texas — When people think of train collisions, they generally think of train crossings. Thomas LaCombe, Union Pacific train engineer and a presenter for Operation Lifesaver, is raising awareness about trespassing incidents. Operation Lifesaver had a car crushed in a train collision and displays at Flour Power Family Fun Fest this past weekend. LaCombe stressed the importance of railroad safety in Abilene. “There are two major railroad companies that run though Abilene,” he said. The multiple tracks through Abilene increase the risk for train collisions, either at crossings or trespassing incidents. “Railroads are private property,” he said. “Almost everyone crosses railways at some point. There were 2,000 people killed on the rail right of ways last year.” In Kansas last year nine people were injured and four people killed on railroad property, according to the Federal Railroad Association. LaCombe explained that many people do not think that fishing on a railroad bridge or walking on tracks is trespassing. The only legal place to cross a railroad track is at designated public crossings. Children are often fascinated with trains and will cross underneath stopped trains. LaCombe was starting a train and noticed movement in the rearview mirrors. There were three children playing underneath the cars. If he hadn’t noticed them, the children probably would have been severely injured or killed. “Don’t set things on the track. A railroad spike set on the track can derail a train,” LaCombe said. “If the train is carrying federal property and is derailed it becomes a federal incident.” Coins placed on the tracks can be flung with great speed when run over, potentially injuring someone. Drivers make poor decisions that lead to accidents as well. “The railroads have their own police,” he explained. “If I see someone go around the gates I am required to report that.” Going around crossing gates is illegal, and you can be ticketed even if the gates have been down for several days. If gates are down for no apparent reason, look on the crossbuck or near the crossing for the toll free number posted near every crossing. Trains can crush cars as easily as a car can crush a pop can. “If your car dies on the tracks, walk toward the direction the train is coming from.” LaCombe said. “If you walk the other way, the train could knock your car into you.” “There are no accidents with trains,” executive director Darlene Osterhaus said. “The train doesn’t come off the tracks and hunt you down.” LaCombe is available for free presentations for children and adults interested in learning more about train safety. Visit www.oli.org or call 1-800-537-6224 to schedule a presentation. Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 03 June 2009 Heads up new employees!!! Unless you have at least 7-10 years of service, time to dust off the old resumes... CSX plans to continue running on skeleton crews thru the July hours of service law change, and if they can still move their trains... yup, you guessed it... MORE FURLOUGHS!!! Get out now while you can...

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 20-30 years Posted: 03 June 2009 Mr. Gordon, could you please respond to Safety STike's request about providing more info on the Hensley case? Name: SAFETY STRIKE E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 03 June 2009 Nice WSJ article, Z, but we need to hear MUCH more in the way of specifics from the law firm that handled the case. We need to know more of the facts of Mr. Hensley's case. He had brain cancer (?) and lung cancer (asbestosis) from exposure to toxic chemicals....what chemicals? How much exposure? What was the causative connection? . He had cancer(?), or he had symptoms of it (?), or he had a fear of the symptoms (?), or he had a fear of pending death from cancer, or.....something else was pleaded? It makes a difference. It is odd that the Court would not consider that Hensley had no fear of cancer (or a fear of dying for that matter) if he had no present ongoing stage one cancer. The Ayers standard for fear of cancer was 'proof of their apprehension of developing lung cancer in the future', which indicated that one did not need to actually have cancer, but had symptoms that could lead to cancer (plural plaques, cysts, high white cell blood count) but not actual cancer itself. Is the court saying something different? Is there now a higher standard based on something else? If so, what is that something else? What is the legal standard now for fear of cancer under FELA? Higher than merely apprehension, or apprehensions with associated predictive medical conditions. What is the standard now for 'genuine and serious'?. How high is the standard?. What would be threshhold examples? Is there a balancing test? What did Ayers say that the Court relied upon - or did not rely upon? Fear of cancer is fairly common in asbestos cases, and the standard is not "high".....seems like the FELA plaintiffs lawyers may have left the door open for a company friendly conservative court to come in and restate the rule of law. Why is FELA different from any other non-FELA fear of cancer case where brain cancer and asbestos related cancer are at issue? CSX argued that the instructions given to the jury were too friendly to Mr. Hensley - the jurors were ot instructed that Hensley needed to demonstrate that his fear of cancer was genuine and serious. How so? Is it simply a matter of issuing a jury instruction, or does plaintiff have to add additional facts to prove his case? "Although plaintiffs can seek fear-of-cancer damages in some...cases, they must satisfy a high standard in order to obtain them,". Ok, great. Ok, so again, what exactly meets the Court's definition of a "high standard" when seeking fear of cancer damages. Did Hensley win on other aspects of his case? What were they? Did he prove that his cancers (?) were caused to his exposure to toxic chemicals and to asbestos? Anything else this law firm can SPECIFICALLY tell us about the case would be EXTREMELY beneficial to every single railraod worker employed by CSX as well as the other carriers. We may be railroard workers, but we read these cases, and we like to know exactly what is going on. Thanks.

Name: z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for Less than 1 year Posted: 03 June 2009 Court rules for CSX in worker-injury case WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court Monday (June 1) threw out a $5 million jury verdict awarded to a former CSX Corp. railroad worker who alleged that he had been negligently exposed to toxic chemicals and asbestos on the job, which caused him to develop brain injuries and asbestosis, a lung disease. Among other things, Tennessee railroad worker Thurston Hensley sought monetary damages for a fear of developing cancer in the future, The Wall Street Journal reported. CSX argued that the instructions given to the jury were too friendly to Mr. Hensley. The company wanted jurors to be instructed that Mr. Hensley needed to demonstrate that his fear of cancer was genuine and serious. The Supreme Court, in an unsigned opinion, ruled 7-2 that it was a "clear error" for the trial judge not to give the jury instructions CSX requested. "Although plaintiffs can seek fear-of-cancer damages in some...cases, they must satisfy a high standard in order to obtain them," the court's majority said. In dissent, Justice John Paul Stevens said, "As a practical matter, it is hard to believe the jury would have awarded any damages for Hensley's fear of cancer if it did not believe that fear to be genuine and serious." The Supreme Court decided the case without requesting a full legal briefing or hearing oral arguments, a sign that a majority of the justices believed the lower-court ruling was clearly wrong. The high court sent the case back for new court proceedings. CSX didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. (The preceding article by Brent Kendall was published June 1, 2009, by The Wall Street Journal.)

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 02 June 2009 Mr. Gordon, The Supreme Court opinion is most interesting, but could you possibly put it into the context of the King's English so that the majority of non-lawyers on this site can understand what the case means to them? Is the ruling applicable to asbestos disease cases only, or also to toxic chemicals, fumes, and exhaust as well. Is it just lung cancer, or does the fear of cancer extend to all types of cancer. Does a worker have to prove that he or she has stage one carcinoma, or is it enough to simply know that you have had exposure to a target group of carcinogenic causing chemicals to be at risk of cancer, thus have a "genuine and serious" fear of cancer? Much appreciated.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 10-20 years Posted: 02 June 2009 Hey Sam, Z the Chicken Pecker has been awful quiet lately. Think he's hiding out in the Coop? Those YouTube films of his moma with that donkey musta been too much for the poor fella - now he knows who his daddy is. LOL

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 02 June 2009 ***PRESS RELEASE*** Significant Decision Affecting Rights of Injured FELA Workers On Monday, June 1st, the United States Supreme Court decided a case styled CSX Transportation, Inc. v Thurston Hensley 2009 WL 1506680 (U.S. June 1, 2009)). This case demonstrated the conservativeness of the Supreme Court, and their determination to exclude injured workers from recovering. The Supreme Court relied heavily upon a previously decided case, i.e., Norfolk & Western R. Co. v Ayers (538 U.S. 135). Ayers held that a plaintiff may recover for fear of cancer if he proves his fear is ‘genuine and serious’. Once the plaintiff has provided proof of their apprehension of developing lung cancer in the future, the law will provide compensation for those damages. At issue in the Hensley case was whether it was proper for the trial court to deny CSX its requested juror instructions. CSX requested the following instruction to be part of the charge: Charge One stated the basic requirements to obtain damages under Ayers. Plaintiff is also alleging that he suffers from a compensable fear of cancer. In order to recover, Plaintiff must demonstrate that the fear is genuine and serious.” Hensley first sued CSX in Tennessee state court. At the close of the trial, CSX requested an instruction that Hensley needed to have shown his fear of getting cancer was genuine and serious. The trial court refused to allow the instruction. The Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed, stating that they saw no purpose in instructing the jurors. If the jurors did not believe the plaintiff was genuine and serious in his fears, then little to no damages would be awarded to him. The Hensley court held the ruling of the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the refusal of the trial court to give the juror instructions were clear error. In Ayers, the Court expressly recognized that several “verdict control devices” were available to the trial court when a FELA plaintiff sought fear-of-cancer damages. One of the verdict control devices included that on a defendant's request, each plaintiff must prove any alleged fear to be genuine and serious. In Hensley, the trial court erred when it refused CSX’s request for a juror instruction on the genuine-and-serious standard of Hensley’s fear of cancer claim. The Hensley Court held that instructing the jury on fear of cancer damages would have been worthwhile. Given the fact that the cancer claim could have the potential to “evoke raw emotions” among the jurors made the need for a juror instruction on the legal standard even more vital. The Hensley Court somehow felt the need to bring up the numerous asbestos cases pending as a way of justifying the estimation of damages for plaintiffs. Their choice to bring up the cases was irrelevant and unnecessary. An interesting aspect to this case is found in the dissent. Justice Stevens, who had voted to affirm the Supreme Court decision in Ayers, displayed his contempt for the decision in this case. He stated that the new ruling authorized a fresh review of the jury’s damages award. Yet, as a matter of practicality, he noted that the jury would only award the amount of damages they felt was necessary. Justice Stevens further pointed out that CSX did not attack the $5 million dollar award as excessive. In that light, he further demonstrated that CSX did not request the trial court to ask the jury to award damages for each element of recovery. Had CSX done this, and the trial court had complied, then CSX’s challenge would only have gone to the amount awarded to the ‘fear of cancer’ amount and the entire verdict would not have had to have been thrown out. The Hensley Court’s decision to reverse and remand the case rests on the language in footnote 19 of the Ayers opinion. The footnote states: “In their prediction that adhering to the line drawn in Gottshall and Metro-North will, in this setting, bankrupt defendants, the dissents largely disregard, inter alia, the verdict control devices available to the trial court. These include, on a defendant's request, a charge that each plaintiff must prove any alleged fear to be genuine and serious, review of the evidence on damages for sufficiency, and particularized verdict forms.” Id., at 159, n. 19 The Hensley Court broadly interpreted the footnote, finding that anytime a defendant demanded an instruction, it must be given when involving fear of cancer. In contrast, Justice Stevens held that on the footnote’s face it merely points out that a defendant has the right to request a genuine-and-serious instruction, and if requested, the instruction is available to the trial court. It does not suggest that all instructions should be granted. The Hensley majority opinion deviated from Ayers stare decisis. The Court’s opinion, more than anything, will generate confusion regarding the Ayers case. The Ayers case had already suffered multiple interpretations by the courts. Given the opportunity to provide clarity to the holding of Ayers, the Hensley Court failed to meet this objective. In their rush to reverse the Tennessee Court of Appeals, they failed to correctly interpret Ayers and eliminate the confusion that plagued many courts. The Hensley opinion leaves the reader wondering why the Supreme Court failed to recognize the rights of workers who labor across America. This conservative approach greatly diminishes a worker’s ability to recover damages. ### Gordon & Elias, L.L.P., represents clients in all aspects of personal injury and wrongful death. They are a boutique law firm with a nationwide practice focusing on FELA (http://www.gordon-elias.com), Jones Act-Admiralty-Maritime Law (http://www.offshoreinjuries.com) and the associated Jones Act Blog (http://www.JonesActQuestions.com) and Trucking Accident Litigation (http://www.truckaccidentlaw.org). Gordon & Elias, L.L.P., was formed in 2000. Attorneys Steve Gordon and R. Todd Elias bring over 39 years of combined experience to the representation of their clients. The firm has the experience and resources to pursue recovery from large corporate defendants and/or their insurers. ###

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 02 June 2009 Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 31 May 2009 Cond 30+ Bullschidt. I spent many a day and night stuck on that locomotive in 90+ degree weather while the yard foreman and the two switchmen took turns going into an air condition shack with only one of them on the lead. The engineer was the only person to work continiously the entire shift. That's goes for the road also. The conductor and flagmen was cozy in their caboose sleeping or just going for a scenic ride in the cupolo and the head brakemen was no different. While the engineer was the only person to work continiously. Give me a break.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX My man you are exactly RIGHT, and when it really got COLD you were the one sitting in front of the radiator, when it was raining old man you were sitting in a nice dry spot, when you slipped off they walked the train to give you a signal, to keep it off the radio. They covered all of your knuckels, supported you and told everyone how good you were. Thanks for trying to shove it, not gonna fly XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX As for engineers with 20+ years or more flowing back to run a remote I know of several that did it. We beat you people everytime at least we already have a sense of proper switching and coupling speeds ect... The UTU with the remote shoved it up everyones arse with a hand job agreement for 40 minutes. How's it feel to see those remote jobs down to one man? Switchmen & engineers who spent their entire career in the yard are now forced to the road. All we hear is bitching from those yardmen their quality of life diminished. All this from the screwUTU.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BLE is still bitching because they did not get the RCO. None of them could qualify!

Name: Fight the Power E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 02 June 2009 SOMEONE BETTER KISS MY ASS VERY QUICKLY OR HEADS WILL ROLL. Fight the Power.

Name: SAm E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 02 June 2009 Name: Z Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 30 May 2009 Just got off the phone with a CSX guy. I understand that within 30 days reimbursement checks will be deposited over the FMLA issue. **************************************************************** Posted by Kung Foo Chicken Pecker (z) - voice of Rank and File. LMAO.

Name: lemonhead E-mail: Employed as: CSX Contractor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 02 June 2009 dude don't do that if you need to talk call me i'am for real 850-232-6347 terrance

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 01 June 2009 You think "Fight the Power" and BR Boggs are related?

Name: Fight The Power E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 01 June 2009 NoMo? AS IN "NO MO MUNY" WERE GONNA FIRE EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU, AND HIRE CHINESE IMMIGRANTS PART TIME TEMPORARY NO BENEFITS AND YOU BITCHES WILL PUCKER UP AND FALL IN LINE. GONNA HAVE TA GIT YER SHOE SHINE KIT ALL FIRED UP THERE, BOY. FIGHT THE POWER.

Name: fedup E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 10-20 years Posted: 01 June 2009 I want to start saying that I feel for all those cutoff, when I first hired I was on here preaching one union, we need to form 1 union, and as time progressed, I realized just what all the whiskers were saying were true-aint gonna happen. While there are alot of good men out here, greed prevails and it always will and csx as well as the unions know this. This place is just a place to vent and talk a good game, solidarity we dont have. To all the guys cut off, find other work and learn from this, for all those working, watch ur back and you brothers, I hear snakes are bad right now!

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 31 May 2009 We have recently discovered, a video clip of Sam's Grandfather. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHF558u6Q_8&feature=PlayList&p=B0E45CEE4E8E8036&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1 As you can see Grand Dad was a sham also.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 31 May 2009 Sir, fuck you, sir!

Name: Fight the Power E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 31 May 2009 THAT'S MORE LIKE IT. YOUR PROMOTED TO THE SHOE SHINE DETAIL. NOW GET BACK TO WORK AND THE NAME AINT MASTA ITS "SIR". AS IN "YES, SIR", "NO SIR". FIGHT THE POWER

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 31 May 2009 Don't beat me, Mastuh. Toby be a good nigga!!!

Name: Fight the Power E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for N/A Posted: 31 May 2009 READ THE LAST POST AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND ME WHEN I SAY YOU PEOPLE ARE MORONS. ALWAYS SNIPING AND FIGHTING EACH OTHER. YOUR DEAD MEAT. WE ARE GOING TO EAT YOU ALIVE. THE BLET AND THE UTU ARE TOAST ON THE NEXT CONTRACT. WERE GONNA PUT YOU BOTH IN A CAGE AND SELL TICKETS TO WATCH THE DESTRUCTION. LOOSERS.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 31 May 2009 Cond 30+ Bullschidt. I spent many a day and night stuck on that locomotive in 90+ degree weather while the yard foreman and the two switchmen took turns going into an air condition shack with only one of them on the lead. The engineer was the only person to work continiously the entire shift. That's goes for the road also. The conductor and flagmen was cozy in their caboose sleeping or just going for a scenic ride in the cupolo and the head brakemen was no different. While the engineer was the only person to work continiously. Give me a break. As for engineers with 20+ years or more flowing back to run a remote I know of several that did it. We beat you people everytime at least we already have a sense of proper switching and coupling speeds ect... The UTU with the remote shoved it up everyones arse with a hand job agreement for 40 minutes. How's it feel to see those remote jobs down to one man? Switchmen & engineers who spent their entire career in the yard are now forced to the road. All we hear is bitching from those yardmen their quality of life diminished. All this from the screwUTU.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 30 May 2009 Just got off the phone with a CSX guy. I understand that within 30 days reimbursement checks will be deposited over the FMLA issue.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 30 May 2009 Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 30 May 2009 The UTU did not steal the remote from the Brotherhood of Railroad Engineers and Truckdrivers. 90% of the work is trainman's work, the rest is just making the engine go back an forth and stop. [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ If you believe the UTU, the union of buss and taxi drivers didn't steal the work, you are sadly mistaken. Your 90% figure is inaccurate also. Before the ink was dry the carriers were bragging that the taxi driver union wasn't even smart enough to ask for a minimum of two people on a crew in the agreement. The Engineers took a screwing and the trainmen took a screwing, all by the buss driver union.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 30 May 2009 Con +30 When the UTU got suckered into taking the remotes I bet CSX management was laughing all the way to the bank. You think they didn't know eventually they could get rid of one of the conductors on that job and just make them 1 man jobs? The UTU wanted to get something from the BLE so bad that they ended up screwing themselves right in the keester when they kicked the engineers. Now, if someone negotiating our UTU contracts actually had a brain...(or maybe they were getting their pockets stuffed), wouldn't they question CSX's alterior motives? Now here we are, May of 2009, and we have men dying over these assinine decisions made by some boneheads we pay dues too every month. If CSX doesn't have the UTU in their pocket I'd be very surprised.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 30+ years Posted: 30 May 2009 The UTU did not steal the remote from the Brotherhood of Railroad Engineers and Truckdrivers. 90% of the work is trainman's work, the rest is just making the engine go back an forth and stop.

Name: Boogie Man E-mail: Employed as: Train Master/ supervisor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 30 May 2009 I know who you are. Im gonna get you.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 30 May 2009 I would love to see Just one Engineer with 20 years work a remote with a crew of 1(him self). Sorry make that 10 years or less. They would never show up, and if they did it would be really funny. Not a one could do it, however the UTU stole the remote from the BLE. However the MRL is doing it with 2 folks, they are all BLE. No one person stuff that will not work.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 30 May 2009 Now we are old farts and he isn't. He has 30 years service as a engineer and is not a old fart. LMFAO. Sam the cut off brakey less than 1. I see you MPD is kicking in today.

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 30 May 2009 Sorry old farts. You will just have to accept the fact that there are more people on the railroad who post here than just you two retired throttle jockies. Shouldn't you guys be taking an afternoon nap or something? Say, Chicken Pecker. I hear Kentucky Fried Chicken has an opening for a fryer - you'd fit the bill perfectly.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 29 May 2009 Hey Loco 30+: Yeah, you know you right...remember that Sally Field movie from the mid 70's, Sybil; about the young woman with 13 personalities? See any similarities? Before Sam, there was maybe 15 regulars and an occasional guest. Since Sam, there's been a steady stream of guests...mostly new hires, but an occasion old head, some of which have become fairly regular. Like any good Doctor, I will reply to each individually. Hey RRJ...it's good to be immortal, as you know I've been immortal for several years now but it hurts more every day. Oh, by the way, if you need the name of a good sculptor, let me know...he's really good at proportions! Maybe I should change my name to Adonis!

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 29 May 2009 Stayin' alive: Visit safety task force Web page With railroad employee on-duty fatalities and career-ending injuries soaring, UTU International President Mike Futhey recently appointed a four-person safety task force to craft, in conjunction with the FRA, an action plan to reduce rail-employee risk while on the job. Leading the safety task force is UTU Assistant Arizona State Legislative Director Greg Hynes, who will work with UTU Arizona State Legislative Director Scott Olson, Arkansas State Legislative Director Steve Evans and Michigan State Legislative Director Jerry Gibson. The effectiveness of the safety task force requires communication with UTU members who work in the yards and aboard trains. To ensure two-way communication, a new Web page has been created to provide updates on the work of the safety task force and permit UTU members to contact the safety task force with suggestions, information on workplace safety hazards and questions. Members should also advise their state legislative directors of workplace safety hazards. On the lower right of the UTU home page, at www.utu.org, a button has been created, providing a direct link to the safety task force's Web page. Portions of the page remain under construction, but a link already is provided permitting members to e-mail suggestions, information on workplace safety hazards, and questions. The page also provides quick links to UTU Designated Legal Counsel, state legislative directors and general chairpersons. A complete listing of UTU members who have been killed in the line of duty this year also will be added. As safety task force recommendations are made, they will be posted as alerts on the safety task force Web page, and also e-mailed to UTU members who sign up for UTU e-mail alerts. If you are not already signed up for e-mail alerts, register at: www.utu.org/worksite/InfoIndex.cfm. Please visit the safety task force's new Web page, whose purpose is to help ensure you return home from the job alive and in one piece. Click on the button on the UTU home page, or use this Web address to reach the safety task force's new Web page: www.utu.org/worksite/rail_safety_taskforce/safety_taskforce_home.htm. May 28, 2009

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 29 May 2009 You are a shit pot full of people you deranged chicken molester. Just like your a engineer with 30. LOL. Take me up on the offer. Let the webmaster tell you how many people NoMo, RRJ and I am. Then let him tell us how many people Sam is. LMFAO. The third time I've asked you to do this and got no answers. I say your full of shit. Chicken shit.

Name: sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 29 May 2009 Loco, I am not George anymore than you are Pinnochio. UTU has flashed up a new Unsafe Working Conditions hot line on their web site, www.UTU.org....Isn't achieving progress on stopping unsafe working conditions more important than trying to figure out who I am? Your self consumption is paranoia running wild, dude.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 29 May 2009 George hell, you know who your talking to NoMo. Just call him Sam and you will have it correct.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 10-20 years Posted: 29 May 2009 I think the worst thing we could do is strike. That would give CSX the go ahead to get rid of us and replace us with non union employees with half the wages no benefits etc...there is no unity anywhere that I have seen....you cant even get people to stop answering calls for overtime let alone strike.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 29 May 2009 Hey George: Is this the Horse's Ass you're talking about? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hzFrA1T7VQ&feature=PlayList&p=1FCA3ECFB9020BF6&index=0

Name: anabelle E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 28 May 2009 The conductor's just had a great opportunity to "strike". They pulled alot of jobs off over the memorial day holiday and everyone rushed right in and marked up. I think the trainmen could have gotten their attention with a little unity.

Name: lemon head E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for Less than 1 year Posted: 28 May 2009 in june the hours of service law will kick in and help right???

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 28 May 2009 Lloyd I don't think the attitude of management is going change in the near future. I see the NS won the coveted Harriman Award for the 20th year in a row. CSX came in 2nd place. I guess Tony Ingrams bullschidt isn't working. NS still accomplished better results without Tony's neo-nazi style of management. How can people be totally safe when their always looking over their shoulder? TM's hiding in the bushes. I never thought it would happen especially on the C&O side. Most of my peers who are within a 5 years or less of retirement age have come up with the conclusion we like micro-management. It brings job security for the few conventional yard jobs left and makes us money. A 45 min-1 hr move is now 4-5 hrs with micro-management nothing ever gets done. It's constantly changing it might take 3 days before the job you started gets completed. Same as the road switchers it might take 3 crews to get the train to it's destination. Ya got to find it humorous. Unfortunately nothing will bring back those furloughed till business resumes to a pre-recession/depression pace. Slowing things down might get a trickle effect on a few recalls. I think you posted on here something that CSX will work a skeleton crew to death. I'm seeing more people unassigned which isn't good. They keep cutting down freight pools when I check I see only a few in terminal. Those still working are not getting proper rest at home. The trickle down effect has cut back enginers working remotes. We even had a few engineers that made a career of the yard flow back and get qualified on the remotes. If you can't beat them join them.

Name: Lloyd E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 27 May 2009 Nomo, the guys from CSX would only really need one other major railroad to strike with us and thats the N&S. Those are the two major lines of rail on the east coast so even if the BNSF and UP didn't decide to join up as long as we had them it would be a huge success. Also, you know it and I know it...if we all actually did decide to strike, it would definitely last for more than 24 hours. I think it would take major changes to get all the guys back to work if it got to that point. They could threaten until the cows come home but we all know if we don't work then there would be major chaos in the yards and on the line of road. I just think its too bad we all have to be at this point with the company where we feel like striking is possible. If they would just get better management in there and start treating their employees like human beings instead of cattle the conversation wouldn't even be going on.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 1-10 years Posted: 27 May 2009 According to my LC a nationwide safety strike is going to be announced any time. No room for anti-strike corporate spys on the picket line - you know who you are, and so do we.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 27 May 2009 All companies maintain Business Interruption Insurance which indemnifies them against things like fires, natural disasters even strikes. I am sure CSX maintains such a policy, if I had to guess I would say their deductible is $100 million with $500 million if not higher limit. As you can see, a strike could go on for weeks, even months before CSX needed to sit down. Today there is enough excess capacity on the other systems to absorb CSX's loads. Frankly, I'm not sure CSX wouldn't come out ahead. same money, less expenses, better ratios, fewer salaried employees, bankrupt unions. Sounds like a dream come true in the executive suite. A 24 hour strike against CSX wouldn't accomplish anything except making the men feel better. There would have to be a nationwide strike against all carriers and it would have to last longer than 24 hours and that's not going to happen.

Name: George E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 20-30 years Posted: 27 May 2009 Name: spongebob E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 27 May 2009 RRJ I agree with everything you say, except for "The railroads can't afford anymore loss of......................... Last week, I was asking the RFE some questions about CSX cutting the boards so deep that they don't have people to run their trains on a timely fashion, some of our trains are being delayed by up to 30-40 hrs. due to lack of manpower....upper management (said) that they will run the trains when ever they get a rested warm body. He also stated, "It's not like our customers have a choice how they ship their products, they will get their cars when we get a rested employee" ********************************************************************* Upper management is a horse's ass - they lie through their teeth. They cut the boards to the bone to save money, to make up for lost revenue. Period They want properly rested employees? Really? What a sec while I laugh my ass off. Railroads played this game in every economic recession since time began. They cut to the bone, then work the remaining employees to death (literally). By God, they will pull untrained clerks out of yard offices (who have already worked 8-10 hours) to fill in a road crew, then work him another 10 hours. Railroads are very good at this - very sneaky, very much against every federal law on the books. Yet they get away with it. What happens when the roads work the trainmen to death? Watch the injury and death rate SPIKE to the moon. Like you say, the Company just needs a "warm body" - warm enough to kill is closer to the truth. ------------------------------------------------------------------ .......I sincerely hope we do go on strike, but I just don't see the International putting themselves in that position. ***************************************************************** And what position is that? The one with their ass in the air, with a sign on it that says, "PORK ME HERE - WE ARE TOO SCARED TO STRIKE OR SUE THE RAILROADS". ?? -------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 27 May 2009 Spongebob I wouldn't say a strike can't happen. All it takes is the right leadership in the unions at the national an international levels........Every safety strike the railroads have sued the unions over the cost of the shut down. It becomes an expensive legal battle. The unions pocket doesn't run as deep as the railroads. There's a time to strike and in todays atmosphere the time is now. The railroads can't afford anymore loss of revenue in this depressed market. It just isn't going to happen. ******************************************************************* Railroads will continue to operate regardless of how much, or how little, money they make. That is a matter of national security and the national economy. My point is, they need to do it a whole lot safer for us workers on the ground who make it all happen. As for union battles, deep pockets, and lawsuits - The International method has been to call a safety strike, then sit back and wait for the carriers to bring on the punishment for calling the strike. That is POOR PLANNING by the International. They have been like the little scrawny kid who throws a wild punch at the schoolhouse bully and misses, then runs like hell to avoid getting the shit kicked out of him. Bad planning - a waste of time, with no so good consequences. Instead, the little kid should plan ahead - throw the punch & connect, wait till the asshole bully comes charging around the corner, then smack him upside the head with a baseball bat. Planning ahead always evens up the balance of power. WE are the ones being killed, maimed and injured - not management. WE have the legal right and the safety issues to sue on - and win. Win, hands down. Even a blind, deaf mute idiot could win on these safety issues. Union FELA lawyers prove that every day of the year. The Safety Strike is a shot across the bow - time is up for allowing unsafe working conditions. Everybody out of the pool. And we're not going to wait for the carriers to engage us after the Safety Strike. No, no, no. We take the fight to them. Full force. We take them to the mats on this one. And we kick their asses back to humility and some form of acceptable humanity towards quickly, responsibly, and adequately correcting unsafe working conditions. And boy, do we have a laundry list of unsafe working conditions. Do we ever. In addition to calling a nationwide safety strike, the International MUST file at least a dozen union members' class action lawsuits on Civil Rights violations alone - the right of every American railroad worker citizen to be free from unreasonably unsafe working conditions. They should file on behalf of railroad employees and their families who have to suffer through utterly unconscionable unsafe working conditions 24/7, 365 days a year. Do lawsuits cost money. Of course. But its OUR money, and it is a completely legal, justifiable, and deeply needed cause to pursue - and it is CLEARLY a winnable one. The International will recoup their expenditures, and we union members will get what we have so long deserved - vastly safer working conditions. ________________________________________________________________ One of the main pitfalls in our unions is the membership. You just have to look at the numbers of those who vote...... Union meetings ......your lucky to get 10% to show up...So who's to blame? ------------------------------------------------------------------ A rhetorical question - failed union policies and bad contracts are to blame for an apathetic memberhship. Turn that around with some real improvements in the lives of railroaders, and watch participation sky rocket. There. I have said my peace. Strike and sue the bastards.

Name: spongebob E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 27 May 2009 RRJ I agree with everything you say, except for "The railroads can't afford anymore loss of......................... Last week, I was asking the RFE some questions about CSX cutting the boards so deep that they don't have people to run their trains on a timely fashion, some of our trains are being delayed by up to 30-40 hrs. due to lack of manpower. Where's the accountability for the guys cutting the boards and delaying the customers freight. CSX has been annulling or delaying Yard jobs, locals, and through freight every day due to the manpower shortage they have created. He said, he has been told by upper Management that they will run the trains when ever they get a rested warm body. He also stated, "It's not like our customers have a choice how they ship their products, they will get their cars when we get a rested employee" With that being said, I don't see how shutting down the Railroad for 24 hrs. will help us, when the railroads don't give a big flying fuck about their customers cars being delivered in a timely fashion. As soon as the strike is over, the customers will get their cars. I sincerely hope we do go on strike, but I just don't see the International putting themselves in that position.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 27 May 2009 Spongebob I wouldn't say a strike can't happen. All it takes is the right leadership in the unions at the national an international levels. GC's & LC's don't have the power only the president and the advisory boards of the union can make the call. It's a difficult choice. Every safety strike the railroads have sued the unions over the cost of the shut down. It becomes an expensive legal battle. The unions pocket doesn't run as deep as the railroads. There's a time to strike and in todays atmosphere the time is now. The railroads can't afford anymore loss of revenue in this depressed market. It just isn't going to happen. The BLE(T) LC's with division support are voting on GC's this week. Next year for the first time every member of the BLE(T) will be able to vote on the president of the union. Something that finally got changed 3 years ago seeing we are now affiliated with the Teamsters. One of the main pitfalls in our unions is the membership. You just have to look at the numbers of those who vote. The BLE(T) on CSX called it a major turnout for those voting on the SSA in 2007 when 51% bothered to send in their ballots. Only 51% bothered to take 5 minutes to place an "X" in a box and mail it to vote for a life changing on-property crappy contract like the SSA. Union meetings your lucky to get 10% to show up at times we just have enough to comprise a quarem. For those of you less informed a "quarem" is the number required to hold a meeting which in our case the number is 6 people. So who's to blame?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 26 May 2009 nomo and loco are not union employees - your company. clear picture. unlike you two, i go to union meetings. i support the safety strike. everyone in my local supports a safety strike. that has been the topic of our meetings. our LC is has been in daily contact with the GC. International is preparing to call a 24 hour nationwide safety strike against the carriers within a week. we all have agreed on picket duty hours. sorry nomo loco, no company pussies allowed on the picket line. 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 You may go to union meetings, I hold them, in many locations. I hope you get a job soon Sam, so you won't have so much idle time on your hands to keep lying to these people. Got a few replies for you also Sam. I'll post them soon monkey man. Watch those drunk chickens, they will kick your ass. Sure would look bad for a man of your statue to have to tell someone a drunk chicken kicked a ass as bad as yours. Keg (NoMo), RRJ and I try to say it like it is. No lying to make it sound good. You have low balled everyone on here distracting from other peoples post with your multiple post personality under different names. The only one that agrees with you is when you answer yourself. YOU ARE FULL OF SHIT, chicken shit.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 26 May 2009 One thing the union and/or membership can do is set up informational pickets. It's too bad you missed the 2009 Annual Meeting, that would have gotten their attention!

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 26 May 2009 Hey Brakey <1: A 24 hour safety strike against the carriers within the week...Sams says Labor Day...whom shall we believe? It's the railroad you're talking about, I don't believe anything I hear and only half of what I see...so I won't hold my breath!

Name: spongebob E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 26 May 2009 For those of you who think the Unions are going to order a safety strike, you are living a far fetched dream. I too, wish we had the right to strike, but it won't happen, ever. Just like the sick out that was attemped by a few guys on this site about a month ago. How did that go? Exactly, what I'm saying, not gonna happen.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 1-10 years Posted: 26 May 2009 nomo and loco are not union employees - your company. clear picture. unlike you two, i go to union meetings. i support the safety strike. everyone in my local supports a safety strike. that has been the topic of our meetings. our LC is has been in daily contact with the GC. International is preparing to call a 24 hour nationwide safety strike against the carriers within a week. we all have agreed on picket duty hours. sorry nomo loco, no company pussies allowed on the picket line.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 26 May 2009 Sam the man will be on the line carrying 20 signs, the same amount of names he uses on here. Just a talking to himself and answering himself to pass time on the line. HARHARHAR Now hes brakey1.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 26 May 2009 Hey Brakey <1: First time on the site..."but after reading a few of the posts, looks to me like one abnormal and overly critical guy is posting under several IDs - RRJ, LOCO30+, Zoro, NoMO, Engine Repair, and Conductor etc..." Perhaps before you start making comments like that you should educate yourself. All the aforementioned are different people, in different parts of the system: and yes I was fired...best thing that ever happened to me! Not one of us has ever said anything that can be construed as supporting the union policies...they suck. Over the years the unions have sold out their membership's rights, which many men died to get. Your furloughed 3 months and counting, well keep on counting because depending on what terminal you at and your seniorty, your probably looking at another 6 months, maybe longer. What's your union doing for you? The UTU pushed for the RCO...the UTU allowed the carrier to implement the one man RCO jobs...the UTU is fully aware that the carrier is circumventing their own operating rules and covering up the violations. So if you or anyone else thinks the UTU will sanction a strike, you're hellucinating...it won't happen until you and your Brothers and Sisters clean up the unions. If you understand anything, understand this...the unions might as well be part of the carriers Labor Relations Departments. The sooner all the new hires, those of you with 5 years or less understand that being union members doesn't guarantee you anything except paying dues, the sooner you will become active in your locals and press for change. You can't strike if your furloughed, although you can walk a picket line. Anyone else that wants to strike, have at it, if you have the cajones. Lets see those picket lines!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 1-10 years Posted: 26 May 2009 Am really suprised by the comments on here against striking, especially with all the deaths, injuries and layoffs going on. I thought that the right to strike is what the Union is all about - striking when needed to obtain rights for us workers. Sam is the only one speaking up for our rights. There is nothing wrong in striking for safety. I personally hate like hell to see our co-workers getting killed and injured. A safety strike would certainly not hurt, and it could only help improve the situation. First time I have been on this site, but after reading a few of the posts, looks to me like one abnormal and overly critical guy is posting under several IDs - RRJ, LOCO30+, Zoro, NoMO, Engine Repair, and Conductor etc. he is the same guy bitching about our RIGHT to strike - and claims he is a retired union guy?? And he is advising us against a safety strike??? Very Bizarre if you ask me. Anti-union guys like NoMo/Loco30+ or whoever he is, really take away from the credibility of this site. This person sounds like a disgruntled former employee - probably fired or something, or maybe just a company plant or a CSX spy venting CSX nazi propaganda on here. Is this a CSX site disguised as a union employee site? Very sneaky. You read some of these anti strike posts and you really gotta wonder about that. what gives? is my computer bugged by CSX spyware now that I have posted on here. NOt that i give a shit - been furloughed 3 months and counting. All i can say is i am a trainman, and the Union has my vote for a Safety Strike - or any other strike for that matter. This place is incredibly dangerous spelled with a capital D. Sam is right. There is no reason for CSX or any other railroad to be killing and injuring workers in the 21st century. We dont have safe working conditions - we need some big improvements in safety and they can start with the RCO. If more people on here posted in favor of a Safety Strike, we might actually get one - but my guess is the anti-strike guys on here along with CSX would close this site down faster than you could blink an eye. That's what I think.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Engine repair, for 1-10 years Posted: 26 May 2009 They were all wiped out at the Alamo.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 26 May 2009 Just as I predicted another idiotic babbling remark. Have fun with those voices in your head. I see you have plenty of company. No use in disturbing "Sam". Maybe you're really David Berkowitz the imfamous "Son of Sam' who took orders from a neighbors dog who was the real "Sam". I won't disturb you any longer the orderly must be looking for you it's gotta be time for your meds.

Name: SAm E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 26 May 2009 Any union member reading these posts should understand one thing, and one thing only - I am a pure union man. Real union men strike when contractual grievances are not properly addressed by the company - such as HUGE problems with UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS. There are some goons on this CSX SUCKS site who regularly post anti-union strike slogans and rhetoric. These blabbering monkeys are puppets of the Railroad companies - the running dogs of the corporation and the railroad sponsored unions. They will say and do anything to stop a strike. REMEMBER THE ALAMO! SAFETY STRIKE!!

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 26 May 2009 Sam Why don't you just go ahead and strike. Call it a "strike of one". Your own personal protest. Join the ranks of the unemployeed. I don't think there is anyone on the railroad who wouldn't like to see the unions take action. Unfortunately which apparently you're to dumb to understand unless it's union sanctioned it won't happen. Maybe you should go to a union meeting. I can make a secured bet you haven't been to many if any. If you can't understand how it works then you'll never learn. The goverment won't allow rail unions to strike. Even if they do it'll last maybe an hour before an injunction from a federal judge is issued. We've been there several times over my 32 years. The longest strike was 4 days in 1982 then Ronald Raygun ordered us back to work. In the 1950's locomotive engineers went on strike Harry Truman threatened to draft everyone in the army national guard if they didn't go back to work. We have to much goverment control on the railroad. We have to live by the Railway Labor Act. You should learn before you continue to make a fool out of yourself. I'll expect more ignorant responses. Seeing your clueless.

Name: chicken pecker E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 30+ years Posted: 25 May 2009 Hello. My name is Chicken Pecker. You may all want to know how I came to have a name like 'Chicken Pecker' Well, you see it all came about one day when i was practicing my Wocki Socki Kung Fu Jujitsui black belt training which required me to stagger around on one leg, cluck like a chicken, and peck on a telephone pole. Well, a Trainmaster yelled at me to get back to work, and that scared me so bad I pee'd down my leg and had to change my shorts. Kung Fu black belt master saw me buck naked changing my shorts and started laughing uncontrollably. After that, the Master named me Chicken Pecker, cause I scare so easily, have a vagina instead of a penis, and wear fire engine red lip stick.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 25 May 2009 HELLO FELLAS I WANTED TO KNOW IF ANY CONDUCTORS or engineers HAVE DELIVERED COAL TO KINDER MORGAN IN NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA? WHO FIXES THE TRACK ON THEIR PROPERTY AND CAN I HAVE SOME INSIGHT ON THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE? anything would be apreciated, and good luck out there rail roaders it's tough, thanks.

Name: Sam the Railroad Man E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 25 May 2009 Trainmaster: who is that idiot scurrying around the yard like a drunken chicken? Sam: z, conductor 1-10, Allman Brothers, Loco30+, Zorro and who knows what other names he uses. First chicken pecker i ever saw with so many split personalities. A real Weirdo. Homicidal too. TM: (takes a hatchet and chops off z's chicken head). z: (flopping around without his head, shit squirting out everywhere) Sam: boy, that's one dumb chicken. (sam shoots the chicken and puts it out of its misery). TM: well, now we can get on with the work of railroading. Sam: Yeh. But first we're gonna strike. TM: ok sam. anything you say. Yes Sir. Please dont strike sam, CSX will give you all the concessions you want - just please, please please dont strike. To be continued....

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 25 May 2009 Sammie must of never watched Rocky. I remember Rocky training and they had him chasing chickens. Took him a real long time to learn how to catch one of those chickens. If that chicken would have had arms he would have kicked Rocys ass before Rocky caught him. I think Z would do the drunken chicken walk around Sammie just playing around with him for awhile. Then he would rip Sammies head off and shit down his neck.Then Sammie wont have to worry about no safety strike. Every other article is by Sammie under 1 of his names of many. I dam sure get tired of reading his crap over and over.

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 25 May 2009 Two different people...one in Georgia one in Virginia.

Name: Mike E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 1-10 years Posted: 25 May 2009 Danny has a point. Looks like loco30+ is the same guy. Twice. haha.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 25 May 2009 I know who "Z" is. He retired from the railroad within the last year or so. He's been on this website for quite a few years. I respect his opinion.

Name: Danny from Cleveland E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 10-20 years Posted: 25 May 2009 Gee, cant anyone post on here without being attacked by all the self annointed Sucks Sheriffs? My post was about Safety Strike, Sam, and Z. who the heck are you? Dont you people have anything positive to say about union members who stick up for union members? get a life.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 25 May 2009 Jezzis Dude What do you have mulitple personalities? You write one post then congradulate yourself on another. You're one strange motherf*#!er.

Name: Danny from Cleveland E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 10-20 years Posted: 24 May 2009 Boy am I glad Z is gone from this board. His same old BS really gets old - and he doesn't even work for the railroad. Some old farts have nothing better to do I guess. Have to agree with Sam and Safety Strike. What this company needs is a wake up call. The unions too. Am all for getting rid of the unions and forming a new united union. Its the only way we are going to have a future. Safety Strike. Thank you Sam for showing us the way.

Name: Sam the Railroad Man E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 24 May 2009 Trainmaster: what happen to z? Local Chairman: he was practicing his japanese chicken squeezing and choked his chicken to death TM: oh, yeah, he was weird - clucks, pecks, and eats barnyard poop. LC: Yep. That's the one. Sam: Z cant help it if he's a drunken chicken pecker. Too much wocki socki watching re-runs of the Karate Kid. TM: well, he was a pussy anyway. We kicked his ass plumb off. Sam: Yes, we know. Poor old sam. Lost his mind. Thinks he's a chicken master. TM: yeah. A chicken choker more like it. LC: Say Sam, how'd you like a kickback for not posting anything about a SAFETY STRIKE? SAM: no thanks. We are going to have a new union. Your fired. TM: Sam, are you gonna let me kick your ass like I kicked z's ass? Sam: (as the TM staggers back and falls down from a one-two punch to the chest and head from Sam). You'r fired. We'll be taking over now. Go home to grandma and have some milk and cookies with the chicken pecker.

Name: RRJ E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 24 May 2009 winner Glad to see you did what was best for you. The railroad has always been a difficult life style. You either adapt or quit. I've seen those that walked right on the job and they never had to struggle. I see newbies holding regular freight pools with less than 2 years on the railroad. That was unheard of at one time. Then again when they hired it was the right time retirements hit and opened up a slot. Retirements will gradually happen for the next 5 years. At my location 2014 will see quite a few retirements including myself. Times will change. Those protected under the crew consist will be gone. Glad I won't be around to see it. I've witnessed to much change in the past 32 years none of it for the benefit of the worker. Unfortunately every generation of railroader has witnessed change.

Name: Rooster E-mail: Employed as: Train Dispatcher, for 20-30 years Posted: 23 May 2009 Message to Drunken Chicken Pecker: Cluck Cluck Cluuuuuccckkkk Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck CLUCK CLUCJ CLUCK CLUCK CLUUUUUUUCCCKKKK CLUUUUUUCCCKK CLUCKITY CLUCK CLUCK-CLOCK CUOCK.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 23 May 2009 To all the guys at Russell stepping up to help the company I hope your making plenty of money while 81 of sit at home, most not able to draw anything till july 1. I'll remember who you are, and also why don't you all just apply for management jobs since your so concerned with doing CSX favors you greedy non union acting suck asses, your the reason why our unions are week.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 23 May 2009 See how bad it can get without the CSXSUCKS Police. NOMO,HTL,RRJ,BigC, Goob Keeping them Honest.

Name: Rooster E-mail: Employed as: APE, for Less than 1 year Posted: 23 May 2009 Drunken chicken peckers are my favorite. They call me Rooster down at the yard. cause I got a larger than usual weapon between my legs if you get my drift. I likes to have me some young Chicken. Mmmmmmm. Tasty. Wait till I get my spurs in you darlin, your world will rock, an life will never be the same. adios, chicken peckerhead.

Name: winner E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 1-10 years Posted: 22 May 2009 I am a winner. No longer do I have to deal with attendance policy or any other silly, stupid CSX policy. I QUIT. You can too.......grow a set and leave.

Name: Tank E-mail: Employed as: Car repair, for 20-30 years Posted: 22 May 2009 Sam, you are a very wise person. Too bad your not on my division, we could use a guy like you. Dont know what you beef is with Z, but am sure he has it coming. He sounds like a screwball, but CSX has a lot of them. Anyone who calls himself Z is one brick shy of a full load. I agree with the Safety Strike that you been talking up Sam. It is the only way to make the company sit up and listen. We need to do something. Keep up the good work Sam. Were behind you 100%.

Name: Dynamo Dave E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 22 May 2009 Hey Sam the Man! Sounds like Z has been playing with his chicken too long. Cluck cluck cluck!

Name: Sam E-mail: no chickens allowed Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 22 May 2009 Wocki Socki Chicken Man (formerly known as "z"), Can you do 2 things at the same time - like cluck n' strut. How the heck did you ever get use to eat'n poop? Oh, wait, I know. You were the one in charge of licking the locker room toilet bowls. By the way, chickens dont have monkeys, they have vaginas. I guess there can be such a thing as a gay chicken - a Chickesbian. Say, I know a good rooster if you ever want to lay some eggs. So listen chicken man, dont you look kinda funny ridin around in a zorro mask with drumstick legs, a large ass covered with feathers, yammering away with all that non-stop clucking? LMAO nonstop. Chicken Kungfoo teino'-na.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 22 May 2009 thank you very much for the input wildman, the type of jobs that i was looking at with kinder morgan were: maintenance man, compared to(csx freight cart repair) facility worker, compared to (csx track worker) loader, compared to (csx heavy equipment operator) machinist, compared to (csx machinist), and i also think that kinder morgan is a non union if i am not mistaken, just wanted to know who would i be better off. i do not know if any one on this site has any one that works or knows of kinder morgan. I also know this web site says CSX sucks but it could be worth a try, any inputs will be greatly apreciated. thanks railroaders!

Name: High Stand E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 20-30 years Posted: 22 May 2009 Yup, that Z man gets Sam everytime. I wonder when Sam will give it up. I would think that foot in his mouth would start tasting bad by now. HeHeHeHe Z your funny Sam can't hold a candle to you. Keep up the good work. Sam is a newbie claiming to be a old head. everybody has him pegged.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 22 May 2009 Huchen mata sakitura hako, there monkey man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLc4PQ58RDY The word means 54 steps minor. This vid has 2 major mistakes in his form. He is off balance in one segment and in another his left leg is angled when it should be straight. I have rank test oming up Saturday and was brushing up on what I will be grading. Now go do some chicken scratching on your nuts and ass, brakey less than 1. You would hope your in as good of shape as me when you reach my age. Maybe one day you can learn a kata besides jerkioffietrainmaster Dai(major).

Name: Sam the Railroad Man E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 22 May 2009 Name: Z Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years No milk and cookies. Actually I have been doing some Shotokan Katas tonight completing them with Gojushiho Sho. **************************************************************** Gojûshiho: "....derives either from the repetitive movements of a woodpecker pecking a tree-trunk, or from the staggering and hesitant steps of a drunken man." Aka, 'CHICKEN FIGHTING'. Chicken, pleazzze post a video of that on YouTube. We'd all like to watch. Livin your Disney dream? Preppin to kick some ass? LOL Sonna atsui mono wo tabetari suru to shite wa shita wo yakimasu. Odoro'ku?

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 21 May 2009 Ops, almost forgot, I do have a pet monkey named Sam. I see him everyday on CSX Sucks.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 21 May 2009 LMFAO, you have the nerve to call me a computer jockey. Sounds like the kettle calling the pot black. No milk and cookies. Actually I have been doing some Shotokan Katas tonight completing them with Gojushiho Sho. Great work out and keeps me ready for punks like you. Remember I am Ichi and you are a big fat zero. Time to do the five S's now. Good night.

Name: Sam the Railroad Man E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 21 May 2009 Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 New Trainmaster: Sam, I want you to not take any breaks and work as fast and hard as you can in this 95 degree heat. Sam: Yes Sir, I'm willing to do anything you want. New Trainmaster: You make sure you do. Sam: Yes Sir, Boss Man. 999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 Z is a computer jockey and self annoited comedian. 400 pound dorito eating cookie monster. never leaves the keyboard. Ever. Cheap entertainment. Probably has a pet monkey for backup. Can you speak monkey, Z? Bet your good at it. Banana your favorite fruit, fruit? How many toes and fingers you got Z? did the doctors cut too much brain out during the experiments? Boy feller. Get yourself some milk and cookies from grandma - you will feel better. Now go to sleep - take your nap. Would you like your teddy bear?

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 New Trainmaster: Sam, I want you to not take any breaks and work as fast and hard as you can in this 95 degree heat. Sam: Yes Sir, I'm willing to do anything you want. New Trainmaster: You make sure you do. Sam: Yes Sir, Boss Man. 999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 New Trainmaster: Z, I want you to not take any breaks and work as fast and hard as you can in this 95 degree heat. Z: Screw you, we aren't killing ourselves. Let's go inside right now and take a hour break guys. New Trainmaster: Didn't you hear me Z? Z: Make it a two hour break guys. ( Z gets Trainmaster to the side and tells him ) Better get a extra called for this extra, the harder you push the less we do. Do you understand me you Superintendent's bitch. New Trainmaster: Yes Sir Mr. Z, I will call another extra and you take all the breaks you want. Z: Never come around here screwing with us again, now get in your car and leave. New Trainmaster: Yes Sir. Crew: Gee thanks Z for looking after us, if Sam had been on the job he would have worked us in the dirt. He's such a company suck. Z: My pleasure guys, we all look out for each other. Lets get some cool air now.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 20 May 2009 hello, rail roaders!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO IS IT BETTER TO WORK FOR AS FAR AS A MAINTENANCE WORKER, CSX OR KINDERMORGAN (PLANT OR COAL YARD)!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE NEED ALL INPUTS I AM TRYING TO SAVE MY SELF FROM MAKING A BIG MISTAKE, NEED HELP!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 Name: Son of Sam E-mail: SAFETYSTRIKE.com Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 About the only thing you may wash down for breakfast is a load of cum from one of those Trainmasters. ************************************************************** experience talking ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; So you it admit it. Sam the Out of the Closet Man knows that my experience has taught me that he takes loads from Trainmasters all day.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 You call that better?

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 Z, I know you dont work for CSX - your posts are a dead give away. Have some more of grandma's milk and cookies, go back to sleep. Let's see, -wears pink pajamas -sleeps with a night light on to keep the boogy man away. -calls his mom every night like a good boy -talks with a slur and drools (too much crown) -has a lifetime subscription to Playboy - keeps them under the bed -exposes himself to the local nursing home patients for kicks -waves like a mad dog at the engineer every time he sees a train -tells the girls at the bar he works for the railroad -works the midnight shift as a janitor at the local gradeschool -nick name: Billy Bob.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 What a come back. You will need to do better than that Sam.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 I don't work for CSX Little Black Sambo. Now go make some tiger butter, so those new trainmasters can lube you up.

Name: Son of Sam E-mail: SAFETYSTRIKE.com Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 20 May 2009 Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 About the only thing you may wash down for breakfast is a load of cum from one of those Trainmasters. ************************************************************** experience talking

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 About the only thing you may wash down for breakfast is a load of cum from one of those Trainmasters. You talk tough, but are just another ass kisser when you go to work. A big old puss.

Name: Son of Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 Just goes to show how far the internet age has come - even Zoro makes his living on it. Say there sweety pie, the Cock Sucker Xpress hired 30 new trainmasters - lots more ass kickin targets there for ya partner. Dont think I want any of them union pussy cookies. Wouldn't go well with the iron spikes I wash down with creosote for breakfast.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 19 May 2009 Sam is a whizanator. HAR HAR HAR

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 Sam the Railroad Dumb Ass Tells a man in an earlier post to only post under one topic. Now he contradicts himself with his latest threads. Same old Sam, full of BS. Our new President of a new Union. He would be great in the position, sounds like what we already have. I saved a couple of your favorite cookies for you. How many names you posting under today.

Name: SAM E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 Z, you back from Grandma's house? How were your milk and cookies? Oh - my - god. Just posted this on every section. whaddayaknow. Say Z, when the CSX homos demand you pee in their bottle while they hold your Johnson to ensure authenticity of personal urination, you gonna thank the Unions for their support? LOL. Dont forget - milk and cookies at 5.

Name: SAFETY STRIKE E-mail: SAFETY STRIKE. COM Employed as: Corporate office, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 STOP THE KILLINGS AND THE INJURIES. SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE! SAFETY STRIKE!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 Sam contradicts himself again.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 Sam the Dumb Ass. No one wants to read it six times when there are appropriate categories to place a thread under. Follow the directions dumb asses.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for Less than 1 year Posted: 19 May 2009 Is there any reason why we need more that one board to post? I'm getting tired of reading folks complaining about multiple posts!

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 19 May 2009 Keep your hat on. Not everyone has all the time in the world to read all of the sections like you do loco. The guy is concerned, maybe someone will read Safety First and none of the other sections, but has a response. Marketing for answers on this site by posting in every section has not hurt anyone that I am aware of.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 18 May 2009 Everyone from Doctors, Lawyers to Indian Chiefs listen up. YOU HAVEN'T GOT TO POST IT BUT UNDER ONE VENUE. WE WILL READ IT.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Engine repair, for Less than 1 year Posted: 18 May 2009 I only worked at csx for 89 days before i got laid off. anyone know when they will call back?

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 17 May 2009 Dear All- On Friday the 15th, the United States Court of Appeals in D.C. decided a case styled BNSF v. Dept. of Transportation. It has to do with the railroads performing urinalysis tests on railroad employees but there is more. The DOT argued and prevailed that the railroad must now strip the person down to make sure they are not using a device that looks like male genitalia (in the opinion it was called a "Whizzinator" but, apparently, there are others)when giving the urine. I have posted an article in Yardlimits.com and attached the opinion in a Microsoft Word attachment so you can download it and read it for yourself. The link is here: http://www.yardlimits.com/forums/ask-attorney-steve-gordon-gordon-elias-law-firm/12298-casey-jones-whizzinator-gig-no-good.html#post114211 From an academic constitutional law perspective it is a monumental and radical departure from 4th Amendment precedent albeit a foreseeable result due to the compelling need to have a drug free workplace in the transportation industry. However, from a railroad employee's perspective it is extremely intrusive and embarrassing. I highly recommend reading the opinion. Sincerely, Steve Gordon www.gordon-elias.com

Name: RUSTY SPIKE E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 17 May 2009 HEARD THAT STEVE AMMONS @ DAVIS YARD WILMINGTON NC WAS TOLD TO CUT SOME MORE YARD JOBS. THIS IS GREAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO WORK AS IT IS.GUESS MR.AMMONS CAN SUCK SOME MORE OF TOM WOLFES DICK SO HE DOESN'T HAVE TO GO TO HAMLET. THANKS MR.AMMONS YOUR MY HERO

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for Less than 1 year Posted: 17 May 2009 Greece, N.Y)- Some abandoned CSX cars that left people in a Greece neighborhood with eyesores in their backyard, were finally moved Saturday. The cars were sitting just feet from neighbors backyards for weeks. CSX blamed the recession as the reason, saying consumers are buying less therefore rail cars shipping less. Neighbors in the Pebbleview Neighborhood say they're thankful that the cars are no longer there.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for Less than 1 year Posted: 16 May 2009 "the railway company CSX, placed the property in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, telling a judge that it was "unable and unwilling to continue funding" losses." If CSX can go bankrupt on an individual property, Please, Please Go bankrupt on the Conrail properties from 1999. Return them to a Good railroad company. Thanks :)

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for Less than 1 year Posted: 16 May 2009 "the railway company CSX, placed the property in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, telling a judge that it was "unable and unwilling to continue funding" losses." WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- The Greenbrier resort's new owner -- the man who outmaneuvered the mighty Marriott International -- is a coal baron who just sold some mines to the Russians for $436 million. He is enormous and boisterous, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing enough that he calls himself a "fat hog." He is the president of the local youth baseball league and coach of the girls' high school basketball team and is driven around town by his buddy Moe. "These people haven't seen anything quite like me," James C. Justice II said the other day, over a sandwich and fries at the resort. And neither has Marriott, which last night agreed to a settlement with Justice to avoid a battle in federal bankruptcy court in Richmond, where the two sides were scheduled to wrangle for control of the historic resort -- the place where Joseph and Rose Kennedy honeymooned and 26 presidents have visited. (Prince Rainier and Princess Grace stopped by, too.) With Justice winning control, some residents said, he will forever be seen as a savior to this quiet town in the mountains whose fortunes have fallen alongside the resort. The Greenbrier has endured hundreds of layoffs and brutal labor negotiations amid a steep drop-off in guest visits. The prospect that a local man, not some corporate muckety-muck, could be signing their paychecks had even led residents to pack churches and praise Justice. "I believe the Good Lord sent him for us," said Greg Scott, a preacher and doorman at the hotel for more than a dozen years who has seen 14 of his neighbors laid off. "We had no hopes, no plans. It was a glorious day when he arrived." That was less than two weeks ago, after Justice surprised the town and executives at Bethesda-based Marriott International by announcing that he had bought the resort for $20 million. In March, the hotel's previous owner, the railway company CSX, placed the property in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, telling a judge that it was "unable and unwilling to continue funding" losses. As part of the bankruptcy, CSX made a deal to sell the resort to Marriott for $60 million to $130 million, depending on the resort's future financial performance. CSX also agreed to give Marriott $50 million to run the hotel. The deal was contingent on CSX winning an agreement with the resort's unions that was also agreeable to Marriott. An accord was reached, and everything was looking spiffy for the world's largest hotel chain. But Justice, who owns coal mines and large farming operations in several nearby states, was lurking. He went to CSX in April, offering to buy the stock in the entity that owned the resort, assume the debt and move to have the bankruptcy case dismissed -- an unusual step, according to bankruptcy experts, who said buyers usually prefer to acquire assets out of bankruptcy free of debt. Why would Justice go through all the trouble to take on a business he knows nothing about and take on more than $100 million in bills? He said it had nothing to with the state recently approving casino gambling at the resort: "That's just bull snot," Justice said. "I don't want to damage these people anymore. I live here. I don't want to dash their hopes," he said. "I am honestly stone-cold confident that I can bring to the table a lot of good stuff. I won't be the guy who thinks with the standard hotel mentality. This place can't be run that way." Marriott officials met with Justice in Lewisburg, W.Va., yesterday to strike a deal. Under their settlement, both sides have 30 days to come to an agreement allowing Marriott to market the property and receive a fee for any guests it generates for the resort. If an agreement is not reached, Justice will pay a $7.5 million breakup fee, Justice said. "We have amicably resolved any dispute with Mr. Justice, and we will not oppose the motion to dismiss the bankruptcy," Marriott said in a statement. No matter what the outcome of the talks, Justice has won total control of the Greenbrier. "I needed the control," Justice said in an interview. "I'd be letting these people down without it." Justice won over the community by hiring back furloughed workers and reopening the union contract to increase health insurance and other benefits, including allowing employees to eat one meal a day at the resort. Last week, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) and Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV threw their support behind Justice, saying he's the right person to run the national historic landmark. A four-hour drive from Washington, Greenbrier features 721 rooms, 10 lobbies, three golf courses, a large medical clinic for executive checkups and a once-secret bunker for Congress to convene in the event of a nuclear attack. "I would hope Marriott sees we have someone here with the passion, the wherewithal and the resources to own the Greenbrier," Manchin said in an interview. Rockefeller sent Justice a handwritten note saying: "I can't tell how proud I am of you and how happy I am for West Virginia. Without a doubt you have absolutely saved the Greenbrier." White Sulphur Springs, like many small towns, harbors resentment toward corporate America, which has brought Wal-Marts and other big-box stores to town and -- in the view of some residents -- sucked local businesses dry. On Main Street, barber Mike Lane can look through the shop's window and see that all of the stores across the street are for rent. "Are they going to crumble, or are there going to be some businesses there?" Lane said. "I'd like to see more businesses. I'd like to cut more hair." He said he thinks someone with ties to the town has a more vested interest in the resort. "I want him to do well," he said. Peter Bostic, the union's business manager, agreed with Lane. "He will hold the place closer to the chest than an international company," Bostic said. Justice said his immediate goals include beginning work on a casino, but more important, he wants to win back the resort's Mobil five-star rating, which it lost in 1999. The key to earning that fifth star, he said, was improving his employees' outlook. His theory is that if his employees are happy, they will make the guests happy. If that sounds familiar, it's what J.W. Marriott Jr. has preached for decades. "I think it's all driven by state of mind," Justice said. "These people here are great. But how great can you be when you are worried if your family is going to be supported? These people have been through a really tough go of it and so we are in the process of lifting the cloud and bringing the sun back out."

Name: SafetySlowDown E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 14 May 2009 Why Strike? That will not work. CSX will be prepared to fire a few as examples just like Ingram has done since he worked at the Southern. Just SLOW Down and be SAFER Duh!!!! Follow the Rules. It will get more attention. Just will not be on CNN The unions do not have any balls to do shit. Bought and paid for. One train slows down so do others and more after that. SLOW Down and be SAFER SLOW Down and be SAFER SLOW Down and be SAFER SLOW Down and be SAFER SLOW Down and be SAFER Do Not be the next CSX Fatality or Injury. Old Heads will be taking the Lotto out of CSX with a Injury now.

Name: WALT B. E-mail: Employed as: M of W, for 30+ years Posted: 14 May 2009 I AM TIRED OF SEEING ALL MY UNION BROTHERS INJURED AND KILLED ON THE JOB. IT IS LONG PAST TIME WE CALLED A SAFETY STRIKE & STOP CSX FROM INJURING AND KILLING MORE OF US. STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 14 May 2009 PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER May 12, 2009 CSX Repairman Killed at Bucks Railroad Crossing A CSX repairman was killed when he was struck by a tractor-trailer at a railroad crossing in Middletown Township, Bucks County, yesterday afternoon, a company spokesman said. The man, whose name was being withheld, was fixing a warning signal when he was hit by the truck, the spokesman said. The driver was reportedly questioned by police, but no further information was available last night.

Name: FUQCSX E-mail: Employed as: Brakeman, for 10-20 years Posted: 13 May 2009 STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Employed in other capacity, for 10-20 years Posted: 13 May 2009 We are hurting at in CSXI. On one of our seniority rosters the un-guaranteed extra board makes up about 41% of working jobs. These brothers and sisters have to be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for a call. If you are at the bottom of the board you might get a call ounce every three weeks and get a check for eleven cents (after insurance and union dues). If you miss that call the carrier will charge for missing it. The un-guaranteed extra board should not be punished missing a call. Common sense dictates that we don’t make enough money to just work one day every three weeks. We need some changes and soon. We need the CSXI to furlough some of these employees. The guaranteed extra board rules states “The number of positions on an extra board shall not exceed 30% or be less than 12% of the number of positions involved in the operations protected by the extra board.” If the carrier is not going to utilize the guaranteed extra board, they need to allow the un-guaranteed extra board to miss a call.

Name: SAM the RAILROAD MAN E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 13 May 2009 STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!STRIKE!STRIKE!

Name: Ennis E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 13 May 2009 I was saddened to hear about a fallen brother in Selkirk. I do not know the details of this tragic accident. My sympathy goes to his family. I do believe that CSX has put men in harms way in order to save a few dollars. I cannot understand a 1 man remote job- IT IS UNSAFE! I cannot understand a yard job with just an engineer and a foreman. All yard jobs should have a switchman, and all remotes should have 2 men. Why did the unions let them cut the jobs? I hate RCO jobs! I believe for safety reasons that WE should DEMAND change! I call for a SAFETY STRIKE! I am only one man/ one voice, but I realize that under these working conditions, Each and every one of us is at risk every day we are out here. One thing I have seen is a bunch of apathy in most workers here at CSX. The Company is run like crap! A bunch of morons making stupid decisions that affect our lives- LITERALLY! WE need to show solidarity to effect change. Everyone here knew it was just a matter of time until someone paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank God that you are able to read this today, because it could be you tomorrow. Again, I feel for this man's family in their time of grief; my prayers are with them. If the allegations are correct about the TM, then someone needs to take him for a long walk. I hope the family sues for Billion$. I hope they bankrupt this Company! SAFETY STRIKE!!!!!!!!!!

Name: Steve Gordon E-mail: sgordon@gordon-elias.com Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 13 May 2009 Dear All- I am a lawyer that sues railroads. In our firms experience, only in VERY rare circumstances, do the railroads ever try to be fair to an injured employee. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the exact moment you make a report of injury you become the "enemy". It does not matter that you have given all you have to give for the railroad. CSX is, by far, the worst of the worst. They will convince people to lie about their injury after persuading them not to make a report. They will actually fly head honchos in from Jacksonville to do this. They know the person got hurt at work but they will just stand their and watch the person make a false statement after hours of intimidation. We like suing railroads and we like getting Managers under oath. Their evil ways do not stop with just injuries. They will do the same to a widow and try and quick settle with them. Sincerely, Lie Hunter

Name: fedup E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 13 May 2009 Criminal charges should be pursued by this family, against the trainmaster as well as csx, accidental deaths are prosecutable if there was neglect, and the trainmaster definitely showed neglect. The coverup is underway.

Name: E-mail: mikewardisgay@gmail.com Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 12 May 2009 Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years: you hit it dead on! this accident could have been prevented, doesnt CSX say there are no such things as accidents? So i guess this was just STUPIDITY and IGNORANCE on the train masters part. Which then turns into the same STUPIDITY and IGNORANCE on the carriers part for hiring this idiot. and for any official that may be reading this, that is my real email address if you want to send me a little something something.......

Name: Sam E-mail: STRIKE Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 12 May 2009 Get the FRA involved? Accidents are a way of life? Don't blame the lazy ass unions? It was the trainman's fault? The cars were only 20 feet apart? Accidents are swept under the rugs? No RCO laws for 8 years? AND JUST WHO THE FUCK ALLOWS THAT?! You squawk and piss and bitch and moan, and write stupid meaningless bullshit on this site. Action is needed - not more bull shit! If all you are going to do is write and bitch, not even a new united union is going to help you ....why not just lay down on the tracks with a big sign stuck up your ass that says: "FUCK ME HERE".? "ON STRIKE - UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS" Unsafe working conditions that results in a murdered trainman is as good a reason as any to strike, demand a full congressional investigation, and permanent suspension of the RCO program. Shut down the fucking railroads and shoot any scab that dares to cross the picket line. THAT is the ONLY way improvements in safe working conditions will come about. PERIOD. 24/48 or 72 hours is enough to raise a lot of HELL over unsafe working conditions on the railroads. If not now, WHEN? You can stick your head in the sand and your butt in the air, or you can take postive steps to correct the situation. Which is it. Are you a Railroad Man, or are you a coward?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 12 May 2009 Name: spongebob E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 12 May 2009 Loco Eng. for 30+ You say (get the FRA involved in a big way) what exactly do you suggest they do? The FRA and CSX can implement all the rules and EO's they want but injuries, fatalities are gonna happen. Yes, it is very tragic to see a young man loose his life. But, it is the nature of our work, accidents are gonna happen. As you are well aware I'm sure the lawyers from both parties are already preparing for a lawsuit. I'm sure that the moment this fatality took place that the CSX Fucks were already looking for rules violations that led up to the fatality. Just wondering, what could the FRA have done before this accident to keep it from happening? ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Well let's see there Sponge Bob: 1. Not allow RCO implementation in the USA until proven safe. 2. Insure that at least 2 people are on the job. 3. Have laws that govern their operation, instead of recommended practices. 4. Not allow the carrier to self report the information during the test period to affirm the falsely reported safety stats to the FRA. 5. Not allow employees with less than 2 or 3 years experience to be operators. 6. Require a Engineer on all jobs. 7. Have a real training program, instead of a 2 week bull shit class. 8. Require a full time person to monitor the man down feature for each remote job, that will immediately contact the employee if this feature is activated. 9. Out law remotes. 10.Implement a law that gives an employee the RIGHT to REFUSE to perform a job, if the employee feels it is unsafe, with no intimidation from the company. 11.Require all Trainmasters to come from the ranks or for the college boys, require them to work a minimum of one year on the ground(road and yard), before they are given the authority to call shots they don't have a clue about. 12. Require lock out devices on all tracks for RCO jobs, before a person can do any coupling or maintenance to equipment in those tracks. This may be over your head, so if you don't understand let me know and I'll explain. 13.You want more, let me know. I hope this answered your question about what the FRA can do. I can think of at least 20 more just on the one topic. Now the next question should be what can the carriers do. You want to tell me or should I tell you.

Name: spongebob E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 12 May 2009 Hey Loco 20-30 You call me a (whore for a trainmaster) but yet you sorry ass comes on here and starts repeating rumors (there is rumors going around the RCO..................... sound like you have already made up your mind that Mr. Boehlke is guilty of a rules violation. You call me a whore. I'm just curious, where did you get the information that the cars were only separated by 20 feet. Let me guess. One of your asswipe CSX officer friends gave you the results of the download. Nope, did'nt think so, just like most other R.R.'s spreading bullshit rumors without any facts, kinda makes you look like a real dumb fuck, don't you think?

Name: Sponge Boobs Fan E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 20-30 years Posted: 12 May 2009 Sponge Boobs is at it again. Sounds like a whore for a trainmaster Railroad Accidents are a way of Life. Is that really so. It does not have to be that way. Yes there is rumors going around the RCO fatality did not seperate cars far enough just 20 feet or so but what made it move or did he run the remote into himself. Lets just FLUSH Ingram down the Shitter along with many of his Nazi Gestapo Henchmen. Major stockholders should demand better than this corrupt bunch of scammers. Another sad reality of working for CSX 5th Best Class 1 RR

Name: spongebob E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 12 May 2009 Loco Eng. for 30+ You say (get the FRA involved in a big way) what exactly do you suggest they do? The FRA and CSX can implement all the rules and EO's they want but injuries, fatalities are gonna happen. Yes, it is very tragic to see a young man loose his life. But, it is the nature of our work, accidents are gonna happen. As you are well aware I'm sure the lawyers from both parties are already preparing for a lawsuit. I'm sure that the moment this fatality took place that the CSX Fucks were already looking for rules violations that led up to the fatality. Just wondering, what could the FRA have done before this accident to keep it from happening?

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 12 May 2009 Fuck the Harriman Award, fuck Mike Ward and fuck you Sam. Now is not the time to be pumping up your new union. It is the time to get the FRA involved in a big way. Not even any concrete laws are in effect for remote operations after 8 years. One man operations, how dumb are these railroads and the FRA to allow this. A self reporting system by the carriers has allowed them to falsify the records that the FRA used in order to determine how safe they are. Anyone that works in the trenches knows the railroads gave credit to RCO jobs that conventional jobs did. It inflated the amount of work to look like RCO's were the best thing since beer. Accidents were swept under the rug.

Name: Sam E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 12 May 2009 Another Railroad worker murdered in the line of duty. Where was Union leadership? They don't step in to protest. They don't step in to file a complaint. They don't demand Congressional action to stop the killing of railraod workers. We have a Union that is full of pussy cats. We need a Union with some courage and leadership.

Name: Mike Ward E-mail: CEO@CSX.com Employed as: Corporate office, for 10-20 years Posted: 11 May 2009 Dont worry - once Cock Sucker Xpress hires them 30 new trainmasters, Saftey will be Numero Uno. So shut up and change those knuckles. -Mike

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 10-20 years Posted: 11 May 2009 A UTU member was fatally injured tonight on a one man remote control assignment which was an East End puller in Selkirk, NY. I have been advised he was ordered to change a knuckle by himself after requesting assistance from the car department. The unofficial report is he twice requested assistance from the car department as was ordered both times by the trainmaster in charge he would be required to change the knuckle without the assistance of the car department

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Conductor, for 1-10 years Posted: 11 May 2009 The suck's are at it again at Lafayette, IN. CMC cuts the Eng. board and cut back Eng.'s are taking calls for work (Y101 Sunday Day). Maybe if these sucks would'nt answer the phone maybe CMC would increse the boards and maybe I would get called back from furlough status, R.R. unemployment does'nt pay for a shit. Just remember while you're out there bitching your fellow employees, I'm sitting at home collecting unemployment, trying to support my family and pay the bills. Don't forget you big company sucks, we are watching. Hopefully, you'll get deployed to Iraq again very soon.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: CSX Customer, for N/A Posted: 08 May 2009 My attendance has been so horrible, i had to call in another day off due to my sick parrot. He works in the coal mines.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Friend or family of employee, for 30+ years Posted: 08 May 2009 what happens if CSX goes broke? GM went broke. Coal is being replaced by alternative energy. Trucks are replacing rail. What happens then?

Name: CSX Librarian E-mail: Employed as: Corporate office, for 10-20 years Posted: 08 May 2009 Please do not GOOGLE CSX Trainmaster Danny Spencer. The search might flood your computer. I save every post and store these for future use. The 5th Best Run Class One Railroad in the USA.

Name: avejoe E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 May 2009 hey there shockey there is nothing wrong with hairy women maybe black women but not hairy lol fuck csx fuck the econmy and fuck all those working for csx makin the big bucks i see you drive by and flip you off sorry in advance for this lol

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 08 May 2009 Name: htlong E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 07 May 2009 sonny, i also tried to warn these lemon heads not to buy the autos with fart pipes/20 in rims and low profile tires/rent dont buy their homes for at least 5 years. did they listen? NOOOOO! no one warned me about the ups and downs of the economy, these youngins havent ever been through a bad economy but the bubble burst. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sure they did, I heard it from everyone. Save your money for a rainy day. I did not listen and looks like you did not either. When a poor boy get's a few bucks he does not listen. I bought a Corvette??? Lived in a rooming home for $6.00 per week. HTL you may have fucked up but it was not because no one tried to help you! That is BS and you know it.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 08 May 2009 I wonder how that can of open sardine juice I poured into the TM's car trunk is going to smell tomorrow.

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 08 May 2009 Pop's No one is hiring right now. I put in an application with the UP to hire out as an engineer in 2006 in Rawlins Wyoming. I got 8 voice messages for a new trainmen hiring session. I went on the website an rejected them all. The 9th call was finally a human being he was curious why I rejected all offers. UP doesn't force anyone to engine service it's still voluntary. I asked him if he read my resume' his response was our type of railroading is antiquated an obsolete. Just like CSX they want things their way. I told him to kiss my antiquated an obsolete arse. Sonny

Name: NoMo E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 07 May 2009 Hey Con 1-10: CSX made these moves to keep from losing money. Whether or not they it will succeed is yet yo be determined. In regard to your 1000 shares...the equity market is like a crap game...at any given time you may be up or down depending on your acumen and market conditions. You haven't lost anything until you sell your stock. If the value of the stock is down 40K you bought it at a premium. As long as it's not pledged as collateral and CSX stays solvent you'll be alright

Name: htlong E-mail: Employed as: Other, non-employee, for N/A Posted: 07 May 2009 sonny, i also tried to warn these lemon heads not to buy the autos with fart pipes/20 in rims and low profile tires/rent dont buy their homes for at least 5 years. did they listen? NOOOOO! no one warned me about the ups and downs of the economy, these youngins havent ever been through a bad economy but the bubble burst. I have aunts and uncles who suffered the deppression and to this day will hobble to the basement to turn off a light so as not wasting electric. I just hope after the whining stops they remember......." nothing last forever" whether it be good times or bad. I myself lost 2 houses,2 wives, and several cars....they need to grab a shovel and wait this out , crying wont get them back to work and if I was in there shoes with the way the rr is treating them I would look elswhere for work,I moved and railroaded in 17 terminals 4 states, go where the work is. are any western rr hiring? I came so close to moving to montanna for the low sulphur coal in the early 80's......kind of wish I did...big sky country!!!!!

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 May 2009 And on several railroads.

Name: Z E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 May 2009 Trainmasters are lower than whale shit. I like to pick on people just a little higher than trainmasters.

Name: Justin Shockey E-mail: Employed as: APE, for 30+ years Posted: 07 May 2009 Matt Sanders loves fat, black, hairy woman from what I hear when I went to my investigation the other day. Look out Predator!!!! He is coming for you!!!hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahha And winning an arguement from a CSX employee in Baltimore (LET ALONE IF IT IS ON LINE OR NOT) is not hard. It is LIKE FIGHTING IN THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS!!!hahahahahahhahahahahaha Just working there is a tribute to the special Olympics!!!hahahahahahah Dumbass waterheads!!!

Name: E-mail: Employed as: Locomotive Engineer, for 30+ years Posted: 07 May 2009 Looks like Z will get his chance to kick some Trainmaster ass again. CSX is hiring 30 idiots to be TM - now's your chance Zorro. Kick 30 asses at one time. Would be some kind a new record to kick that much TM butt all at once. Quick, Zorro, join up now. Kick some booty and save us.