Will Amtrak survive the next four years?

Gilbert B Norman wrote: As one who found his way into Labor Relations from an Accounting background, I would, if still in the industry, welcome the simplification of the T&E pay strucutre. The benefit would be realized in less "computer space', less training required of Time Revisors (we got those Agreement positions appointed "partly excepted' on the MILW simply to avoid the "bid and bump' confusion), fewer manually prepared "time drafts", and less contention arising from penalty claims i.e. "did this claimant REALLY couple air???".

It is gratifying to learn that at least on the CN/IC property (or was this Agreement national in scope? enquiring mind wants to know) there was recognition on both sides "of the table" that these additional duties previously claimed and paid as arbitraries (constructive allowances) are simply part of the landscape to running the railroad in an economic and efficient manner.

Mr. Norman,
This agreement is only in effect on the CN. You're more than correct re: the simplification of the timeslips. Rumor has it that many heads rolled in timekeeping. Not at all a positive happening for those forced into other departments. The carrier was very much in favor of this agreement, citing increased productivity as the primary benefit. Now, a timeslip submitted via the computer is pretty well "cut & dried" with only the overtime to calculate. Meals and held away from home terminal (HAHT) are automatically added to you timeslip inquiry.

Compared to "my day", that IS progress, Mr. Greenwood.

of course, to the effect of HAFHT,TD30",AIR, MtM(mountain miles - you don't have those on YOUR property) etc. T/R's once having made the decision to allow a claim, had to select from an array of pay codes that hopefully the computer would accept.

Oh well, 'that's the way it was'.

You noted heads rolled; hopefully management recognized the knowledge that the "ripe apples' had and found them jobs (possibly non-Agreement) so the knowledge was not just lost somewhere in the "bid and bump' process.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: You noted heads rolled; hopefully management recognized the knowledge that the "ripe apples' had and found them jobs (possibly non-Agreement) so the knowledge was not just lost somewhere in the "bid and bump' process.

Mr. GBN,
Re: the ripe apples, hopefully you're correct.