January 24, 2003 To All Carmen Division General Chairmen and Local and District Chairmen Dear Sirs and Brothers: As all of you are aware, our Union and the National Carriers’ Conference Committee had been in arbitration beginning Monday, January 20. The decision was rendered by Arbitrator Harris on January 23 and as expressed in International President Scardelletti’s letter to you, he outlined the amount of Health & Welfare payments as well as the wage increases you will be getting as follows: |
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Wages | |||
October 1, 2001: | Roll in $.27 Harris COLA. | ||
June 30, 2002: | 2.5% General Wage Increase; Harris COLA terminates. | ||
July 1, 2002: | 3.5% General Wage Increase. | ||
July 1, 2003: | 3.0% General Wage Increase. | ||
July 1, 2004: | 3.25% General Wage Increase. | ||
What this means for Carmen members is as follows: | |||
Mechanic Rate | Freight Rate | ||
October 1, 2001 | $18.83 | $18.77 | |
June 30, 2002 | $19.30 | $19.24 | |
July 1, 2002 | $19.98 | $19.92 | |
July 1, 2003 | $20.58 | $20.52 | |
July 1, 2004 | $21.25 | $21.19 | |
Article IV of the new Agreement provides for changes relevant to the Carmen TCU members. The March 29, 1979 Supplemental Sickness Benefit Agreement, as amended by Article VI of the September 25, 1996 National Agreement (Sickness Agreement), shall be further amended providing adjustments of plan benefits so as to restore the same ratio of benefits to rates of pay as existed on December 31, 1999 under the terms of that Agreement. The Sickness Agreement shall be revised as follows: |
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Per Hour | Per Month | ||
Class I Employees Earning (as of 12/31/99) |
$17.77 or more |
$3,092 or more |
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Class II Employees Earning |
$14.53 or more but less than $17.77 |
$2,528 or more but less than $3,092 |
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Class III Employees Earning (as of 12/31/99) |
Less than $14.53 | Less than $2,528 | |
Basic and Maximum Benefit Amount Per Month |
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Classification | Basic | RUIA | Maximum |
Class I | $1,101.50 | $1,000.50 | $2,102 |
Class II | $875.50 | $1,000.50 | $1,876 |
Class III | $679.50 | $1,000.50 | $1,680 |
Combined Benefit Limit |
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Classification | Maximum Monthly Amount | ||
Class I | $2,255 | ||
Class II | $2,009 | ||
Class III | $1,801 | ||
Further adjustment of plan benefits provide that effective December 31, 2004, the benefits provided under the Plan shall be adjusted so as to restore the same ratio of benefits to rates of pay as existed on the effective date of this Article. Article IV of the new Agreement further provides for uniform establishment of Carmen journeyman seniority on all railroad properties party to the National Agreement. There will no longer be retroactive seniority and carmen will establish seniority effective the day after their completing 732 days at the trade. With best wishes, I remain RAJ/sjm cc: R. A. Scardelletti
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