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  FURLOUGHED INFORMATION

 

 

UPDATE: 04-05-2010

 

 

Returning to Work after Furlough

 

There have been a total of 34 Conductors re-called to active service.  Volume on the Chicago Division is up and there may be more re-calls coming soon. 

 

If you have been called back to work you have 15 days to return to work after receiving your certified letter.  If you have been off more than 30 days you will need to sign up for a safety skills seminar.  If you have been off more than 90 days you will need a physical and the safety skills seminar.  

 

Call Trainmaster Derrick Wright (859-445-3304) or Scott Riddle (260-357-8004) to set up the returning process.

 

 

 

Questions About Insurance Benefits, COBRA etc.

 

Call the Benefits Administrator:  800-368-5279

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Currently, there are no plans to furlough any more employees at Garrett.  CMC believes the recent retirements will help keep the low seniority employees working through the remainder of the winter.

 

With the above said, its important to know your options once you are cut-off.  Notice I said, “cut-off” not “furloughed”; there is a major difference.  I would suggest you read all the information that we have provided on the website.  On the left hand side of this web page you will see several informative documents that will help you on your quest.  Please take the time to read through all of the documents provided, especially the Q&A document.  The Q&A document will answer several questions you are probably thinking about.  Regardless, if you have any questions feel free to call/email an officer or LC.  Again, I urge you to take time to read all the available information provided.

 

If you have any questions not listed within the information provided please send the question's) to LC Tom Porter OR Jamie Modesitt.

 

 

CHOOSE AN OPTION

 

If you are currently cut-off from your home terminal then you need decide what option works best for you.  Here are the two options available:

 

1. Elect to be placed on the Furlough Retention Board.

2. Collect Railroad Unemployment which currently pays $61.00/day for 5 days.

3. Elect to qualify at another location in which you stand for work.  Generally this location will be the next neighboring terminal.

 

OPTION 1

 

Once you are cut-off you can choose to be placed on the Furlough Retention Board.  Placement on the FRB will be determined by the number of turns and your seniority.

 

 

OPTION 2

 

If you choose to collect RR Unemployment I would suggest you obtain a RRB Service Account and Password.  You can do this by going to www.rrb.gov and click on Benefit Online Services.  Generally, it will take 5-10 business days to receive the password in the mail.  The RRB online services will allow you to apply for unemployment benefits, file unemployment claims, view benefit payments and more.

 

You can make sure you qualify for benefits by going to www.rrb.gov website OR read Q&A 6 to the left.

 

 

OPTION 3

 

If you would like to pursue your contractual right to qualify at another location then you need to call CMC Manager Chris Allen at 904-332-3642 for placement.  Mr. Allen will determine what location is available for you to work based on your seniority.  Once Mr. Allen has established a location, he will provide you a local contact number to set up your qualifying runs.  Mr. Allen should sent the local officer correspondence regarding your qualification.  If you encounter any problems from the local officer or if no one returns your phone calls etc. then you should contact the UTU General Committee at 904-268-4420.

 

You can take as long as you’d like to decide to qualify at another location because there is no contractual time limit.  Technically, you could wait 3 months for things to settle and then pursue your training.  Regardless, be aware, once you accept to qualify at another location you can NOT decide to stop.  If you willfully stop training or refuse to work at that location you will forfeit your seniority.

 

ADDITIONAL INFO

 

Once you are called back to Garrett, from furlough status, you will have 15 days to mark-up or you will be terminated.

 

Taking vacation while you are furloughed does not extend your benefits. For a furloughed employee, vacation pay must be received prior to being furloughed. This answer can be found on page 34, Note 2. of the January 1, 2007 NRC/UTU Health and Welfare Plan booklet.

 

Furlough Q&A

questions regarding healthcare, RR unemployment etc.

 

 

Attention Cut-Off Employees

includes phone numbers of CMC Managers

 

 

Furlough Employee Health & Welfare

cobra after 4 mos. cut-off.

 

 

CSXT Furlough Hotline

Information

 

 

Rule 8—Road or Yard Men Furloughed

Rule 2—Seniority

 

 

RRB Unemployment Application & Booklet

 

 

Furloughed for Over 365 Days