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So now we have it; cabooseless operation has been implemented and not too much has changed. We've traded a Conductor, Engineman and two trainmen for two Conductors, two Enginemen and a cab driver. We still occasionally drag a derailed car or two for a few miles. The difference is the workload has increased, keep an eye on all those clearances boys!

Summertime! Time to kick back, relax and enjoy the weather with friends and family..... if you can get any time off! In keeping with the lazy, hazy days of summer theme this issue will be rather short, and the printing large! Time is precious for the editor these days. Don't think we don't have some good stuff inside though, read on and enjoy!

Welcome aboard the Royal Hudson Steam Train, the Royal Hudson was originally in service at CP Rail until it became obsolete. It was rebuilt in the 70's by a bunch of over-zealous rail fans and then passed from organization to organization, constantly bleeding money until it ended up in the lap of BC Rail. The coaches you are riding in have been lovingly restored using approximately 6 tons of bondo, 4700 rolls of duct tape, and 16 miles of haywire. The washrooms will be locked for the next 30 minutes; the toilets discharge directly onto tracks running through West Vancouver, one of the highest per-capita income areas in Canada-- these people simply will not put up with your shit. Half an hour from now we invite you to participate in the traditional Royal Hudson stampede when we open the washroom doors. Any passengers who feel they cannot wait that long are encouraged to talk privately with one of our staff-- bring your wallet.

As we leave the N. Van. yard, passing under the famous Lions Gate bridge, you will notice the North Shore Winery on your left, breathe deeply the aroma of the 1995 vintage. Beyond this we cross the Capilano river, notice the salmon jumping from the water, attempting to avoid swimming in the effluent from the winery.

We are now passing along the West Vancouver seawall, here you will see residents waving their noses as well as their hands in the air. As a Royal Hudson passenger you are obliged to wave back-- don't feel obligated to use all your fingers as you wave though.

We will soon be entering the 1 mile long tunnel at Horseshoe Bay, soon the train will be engulfed in clouds of sooty, sulphurous smoke; for those of you in the vestibules and open cars--good luck! Remember, see your doctor twice a year.

We pass through the community of Lions Bay and Brunswick beach beyond. Brunswick is a clothing optional beach--as a Royal Hudson passenger it is traditional to press your goggled-eyed, slack-jawed face against the window to acknowledge the presence of the sun-worshipers.

As we travel along, adults and children alike are encouraged to lean out and grab foliage, to date we have had 14 eye injuries, two concussions and one missing passenger. You too could become a Royal Hudson statistic!

By now you've probably noticed a number of odd folks with camera equipment around their necks, standing in the bushes at various places along the tracks. These are railfans, they have a very strange emotional attachment to our train; following us up and down the line, taking photos and recording sounds. As a Royal Hudson passenger you are encouraged to give them the same sort of wave you did those in West Van., consider also shouting the official Royal Hudson railfan greeting: "GET A LIFE!"

The prominent island on your left is called ADVIL island, named by the Nobel laureate Linus Pauling in the mid-eighties when he noticed it's profile resembled the molecular structure of the popular pain killer.

We pass now through Porteau cove provincial park, this is where city dwellers come to seek solitude and experience the grandeur of nature beside the train tracks, highway and tainted ocean-- if they can get a camp-site.

The large factory billowing smoke and steam across the water is called Gumfiber, the world's largest Gummy Bear factory, producing over 1 million tons of Gummy Bears per year-- and that's just the green ones! The gelatin to make the gummies is derived from the lignin in the woodchips you see in the huge barges docked nearby. The plant recently underwent a $450 million expansion to include the production of Gummy Snakes and Super Sour Gummies. Unfortunately, the gelatinous effluent discharged into Howe Sound by Gumfiber has caused environmental problems, making the nearby ocean so thick that sea life remains suspended like flies in amber, and creating obvious difficulties for swimmers and fishermen.

As we approach Squamish you will notice the Stawamus Chief on our right. The Chief is famous as the second largest granite monolith in the British Empire, second only to the Rock of Gibraltar. The larger surrounding mountains are also made of granite but we choose to ignore this fact.

We are now entering the town of Squamish. The word Squamish is derived from a Salish word meaning "Mother of the Fat Tourist". The local merchants here depend on you-- the Royal Hudson passenger-- for their livelihood. Please, while visiting Squamish hold your open wallet in front of you and repeat this phrase, "Help Yourself". Have a nice day!

Do you get knocked out by a cold whenever you miss your z's? If so check this out:

Although it has long been accepted that prolonged lack of sleep weakens the immune system, a new study suggests that even modest sleep loss may compromise the body's defenses. in fact, just one bad night can markedly reduce the activity of natural killer (NK) cells--infection fighting immune cells that ward off colds, flu and other viral pests, says Michael Irwin, M. D., of the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Irwin recruited 23 healthy adults to spend four nights in his sleep laboratory. The subjects were allowed to slumber peacefully during the first two nights. On night three, they were awakened at 3 a.m. and were not allowed to go back to sleep until the next evening. the results: Eighteen subjects showed a significant 30 percent decrease in NK cell activity. The good news: NK cells recovered their former vigor on the fourth and final night of the study, when subjects were allowed to enjoy a full night's sleep without interruption.

-- Beth Livermore, Shape Magazine, June 1995

--Railroads struggle with success

Can the railroads handle success? Many in the shipping industry are expressing their doubts. Faced with rapidly growing intermodal shipments, steady coal and grain traffic and a buoyant economy, many railroads are feeling the pinch: in terminal capacity, in trackage capacity, in equipment availability, and especially in the lack of available manpower. For years carriers jettisoned track to save money. Now, with traffic volumes on the upswing, the shortsightedness is really being felt. New track, improved signaling and better control of operations has been unable to keep pace with the traffic growth. Many shipping executive say that unless railroads make significant investments in intermodal equipment and container transfer facilities, and hire sufficient numbers of crews, these bottlenecks will continue to cause unacceptable delays in the nation's intermodal system. These delays are costly and frustrating for shippers who, more and more, depend on the timely delivery of cargo so they can meet their own tight schedules. One trucking executive said his company got less than 80% of its intermodal shipments from the railroads on time, and that more than 10% of shipments were more than four hours late. The equipment shortages are due to a decision by railroads to invest their capital in more profitable endeavors such as hauling coal and grain, one shipping executive said. Railroads haven't been able to maintain a sufficient number of crews to handle the increased business, one observer noted. "They are working the crews they have to death, and that sure doesn't help service," he noted. "You don't get confidence from railroads that they have any sense of urgency," one shipping executive complained. "We still have abundant opportunities for additional intermodal penetration," another shipping executive said, "but that won't happen unless the railroads improve their service reliability, rationalize their pricing and demonstrate a higher commitment to their customers needs."

--UTU, carriers battle crew fatigue

One of the most frequently heard complaints voiced by operating rail workers is having to work long hours on unpredictable schedules, with the nagging fatigue that results. For years the UTU has been warning of the dangers of rail crew fatigue, but little solid data was available to back up those warnings. That is changing. Studies done by the Federal Railroad Administration, the Work/Rest Review Task Force (comprised of UTU representative Vice President Warner Biedenharn, others in rail labor, government and the carriers) and others have found that rail operating employees who work long, erratic schedules have an increased potential for accidents, injuries and inadvertent rules violations. "With the increase in business the past couple of years, railroads have encountered crew shortages which lead to the inability of existing crews to request days off, resulting in crews having to work under even more fatigue and stress," Biedenharn said. Preliminary results of an FRA study indicate that engineer performance and reaction time deteriorate as fatigue sets in on the fifth and sixth trips in a five- day test period. Additionally, fuel consumption increases when a tired engineer is at the throttle. Another FRA study has confirmed that crews working the extra board are most affected by fatigue because of their unpredictable schedules, and that only 10% to 20% of crews working in pool service have predictable call times. After analyzing 800,000 rail-engineer shifts, the task force recently issued three obvious conclusions, Biedenharn said:

---Between midnight and 6:00 a.m., the potential for accidents increases when a train and engine crew has been on duty for more than nine hours;

---The potential for an incident increases when crew members have worked five consecutive shifts with an average shift length greater than 10 hours;

---The potential for an incident increases when a train or engine employee has worked more than six consecutive shifts in a seven-day period.

The task force recommended that the railroads improve communication with crews, especially when they are approaching periods with higher risk for incidents. The Santa Fe, realizing the problem, has worked with labor to modify agreements to give pool crews the option for more time off at their home terminals. The agreement gives pool crews the option of 14 guaranteed hours off. The option is available only to pool crews who have worked a minimum of eight hours on their previous shift, and does not affect crews working on the extra board. In Canada, carriers are testing six measures to counter crew fatigue. They include splitting crews into three different time pools that can only be called during certain hours, napping permitted in sided trains, music played in cabs, better crew dorms and individual training and counseling to combat sleep disorders.

Meeting Point is the official newsletter of the United Transportation Union Local 1778. It is published quarterly by volunteers. The Editors of Meeting Point support the concept of free speech and welcome any submissions of interest to our members, preferably in plain text format on 3.5in. floppy disk --although any and all forms are welcome: magazine and newspaper articles or your own thoughts. Submissions can be made to any Union Officer or to David Moorhouse at N. Vancouver yard office, Fax # 984-0452 or E-mail utu@telus.net We reserve the right to edit submissions for brevity and clarity. The opinions contained herein are not necessarily those of the Editors or the United Transportation Union. Deadline for submissions: 15 th of Jan., Apr., July, Oct

We've all heard the hype about the necessity of recycling to alleviate pressure on our ever-growing landfills and to save precious resources and energy. Local communities instituted curb side recycling programs years ago; we faithfully put our newspapers, glass, metal and plastic into curb-side containers provided for that purpose. Various levels of government and consumer groups bombard us with propaganda touting the merits of less packaging and less waste. Corporations use the government sanctioned recycle logo as a selling point for their products, others, including BC Rail, recycle waste to a certain extent, including paper and scrap metal.

When canned water for train crews was introduced years ago I saw hundreds of cans go directly into the garbage. I suggested the Railway install a small kitchen type can crusher in the engines and cabooses so that water cans could be crushed for storage, collected, then recycled by throwing them into our scrap bins. Months later a reply came thanking me for my suggestion, along with an attractive Suggestion System keychain and a curt note that the Railway was looking into the problem of recycling. Ten years have passed and we are still throwing those cans into the garbage.

With the introduction of a new catering service on the passenger train came boxed breakfast and lunches. These boxes are made of heavy, rigid plastic, inside are fruit or salad in a plastic cup, plastic knife, fork and spoons wrapped in a paper napkin then again wrapped in a plastic bag, jam in a small glass jar with a metal lid, all accompanied by a cool beverage in a plastic container covered with foil. The boxes have that nifty government sanctioned recycle logo on them. Hundreds of these meals are served daily.

What happens to all this stuff when the passengers are done their delicious meal? It goes in the garbage.

Now I'm no eco-terrorist, I've even been known to throw the odd banana peel into the garbage can rather than the compost bucket. I realize we as a society still have a long way to go as a society in regard to reducing or recycling waste.

Attempts by the railway to recycle materials have had various degrees of success: In North Van., lantern batteries are sporadically collected for recycling, the pop machine has a bin beside it to collect empty cans. Oil from the shops is collected and recycled. Old ties are ground up and burned.

In spite of it's efforts the Railway could do more to reuse and recycle. Wasteful practices like the water cans and lunch boxes should be examined. Likely, if we did decide to recycle all that Budd car enviro-mess, no recycling facilities could be found in Vancouver; plastic is difficult to recycle in a cost effective manner. There are alternatives such as using reusable boxes, plates and utensils

A corporation as large as BC Rail creates huge amounts of waste daily. The Railway is obliged to us and future generations to be a good corporate citizen within the communities it serves, to be more responsible for all the waste it creates. The Railway must adopt a more comprehensive policy regarding proper disposal and recycling of waste, particularly on the passenger train.

Thems that took the buyout are the lucky ones, and thems that stayed in the service are a vanishing breed.

My old shipmate, Sea-Hound has deserted to the island. Other brothers, in the traditional way, have walked ashore as far as they can dragging an oar and then simply dropped the handle. Others still have just removed the bullion allotted and sailed away, free as the breeze, too.

Bon fortune and bon voyage, mon amis. We trust ye won't expend it like... well, like drunken sailors.

Don't forget to write, and remember the old adage: If when you sit down to the table at a poker game, and you don't know who the sucker is, leave. You're the sucker.

Back to the puppy mill.

-- J. Y. D.

After years of intensive lobbying by CUTE and the UTU, the railway has generously made available passes for the Lillooet REC Center. Pass privileges include weight room, squash and racquetball courts, pool and hot tub. Let's demonstrate our need for facilities like this by using the passes regularly, even if its just for a soak in the hot tub. The next step is to obtain some exercise equipment for the bunkhouse for around the clock availability.

Dear Brothers,

Coming up October 2nd to 6th Local 1778 will be hosting the Region 10 (Canada) at the Sheraton Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson St. Vancouver. We will be putting on several events in which our members can participate. Come out and meet other brothers and sisters from across the country.

The meetings have been arranged to offer important information, education and social activities for all UTU members and their families. All active and retired members are urged to attend one of the regional meetings to meet local, and International officers and to learn more about present and upcoming union operations and programs. Below is the abbreviated agenda:

Mon., Oct 2

Early registration
Hospitality Suite
Tues., Oct 3
Golf Tournament
Registration
Wine and Cheese Party
Wed., Oct 3
Buffet Breakfast, Opening Ceremonies
Registration
Arbitration Panel
Treasurer's Workshop
Spouse's Meeting
Legal Counsel Panel
Dinner
Harbor Cruise
Thurs., Oct. 5
Spouse's Bus Tour (Vancouver Island)
Legislative Board Panel
CN-CP Pension Panel
General Chairperson's Panel
Reception, Dinner and Dance
Fri., Oct 6
National Officer's Panel
Closing Ceremonies
For more information contact:

Clyde Mulhall, Chairperson
731-2444
Steve Edgar, Vice Chair
980-4623
Committee Members:

G. Couch, B. Gleason, J. Holliday, R. Sharpe, W. Skorberg

The Bad Ass Blues, Local 1778's baseball team finished up their season with a tournament and an end of the year party, a a good time was had by all. This year we did not play in the Railway league and it was so nice not to have to worry about management on some other team squealing about trainmen being absent from duty! Last year, several trainmen were called in for hearings for attending the railway tournament. Funny, 'cause most companies encourage their employees to participate in extracurricular activities.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the 4th annual family picnic at Haywood Park a great success. Attendance was greater than anticipated; good to see the big turn out! The 50/50 draw prize of $147 was won by the Bad Ass Blues ball team who generously donated half the proceeds back to the picnic fund. Good thing too. After we took back the empties we just about broke even! Bocci anyone?

MINISTER TO INITIATE REVIEW OF B.C. REGULATION 74/93

As a result of correspondence concerning the manner in which the Railway and the Engineering and inspection branch dealt with a right to refuse dangerous work issue, the Honourable Darlene Marzari, Minister of Municipal Affairs has advised that she intends to "initiate in the near future, an independent review of what the appropriate policies and procedures are required to ensure an expeditious resolution of work refusal issues under B. C. Regulation 74/93. It is my objective to bring greater clarity and efficiency to the process involved in dealing with such issues. I would also add that the terms of reference for this review will provide for consultation with both the Unions and the Railway companies involved."

The Union has many concerns with the manner in which the regulations have been managed and we welcome this independent review, our hope is that the terms of reference be broad based.

Rule 84 of the CROR states: A TRAIN OR ENGINE MUST NOT COMMENCE MOVEMENT UNTIL THE PROPER SIGNAL OR INSTRUCTION IS RECEIVED BY THE LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FROM A CREW MEMBER.

Train crews should ensure that other employees are not giving signals to the Engineman, i.e.; when cutting a crossing at North Van.

The membership should ensure that they are taking advantage of all of their negotiated benefits, the Railway is not going to remind you.

The Pharmacare provisions, for example, are often not used. If you do not already have a copy of the Benefit Handbook for Unionized Employees, you can get one from the benefits department. Check out the extended health care section.

Article 116 (e) of the collective agreement provides for vacation pay for employees who are absent from duty by reason of accident or sickness for a period of forty five days.

Brian Gleason, Local 1778 Legislative Rep

Feb.13, 1996