BNSF General Committee

Several plan design changes negotiated in the recent National Agreement take effect October 1, 2026. The monthly credit for employees who opt out of coverage will increase to $200. The plan will cover male sterilization procedures, and the survivor benefit will increase from four to six months.

FSA Open Enrollment

Annual open enrollment for UnitedHealthcare is held each October. During this period, members may review and select available health care 4 Quarterly Newsletter September 2026 options. Employees who currently participate in a flexible spending account (FSA), or wish to begin participating, must designate their contribution amount for the upcoming calendar year.

ATSF Rule 15

Under former ATSF Pay Rule 15, an employee who is directed by a Company officer to remain on standby after regular working hours on an assigned workday must be compensated for the actual time held, up to a maximum of eight hours in any 24-hour period. BNSF has taken the position that this compensation requires a written request from the officer authorizing the standby.

BNSF Service Now App

As you have likely heard, BNSF is adding administrative hurdles to your tie-up procedures. They claim these new requirements comply with BRS Rule 12D which is not entirely true. The new procedures mandate accessing a “Service Now” app to answer questions and additionally require supervisor notification any time your tie up is for “other reasons”.

BNSF Meal/Lodging Per Diem Enrollment

Under the 2023 Meal Per Diem Agreement and the 2025 Lodging Per Diem Agreement, annual enrollment for eligible employees is open from November 1 through November 30. All signal crew positions and MCTs are eligible to participate. Employees who take no action during open enrollment will retain their current election.

BNSF Actual and Necessary Expenses

The Committee has recently received numerous reports that certain Carrier managers are enforcing expense policies that do not align with the mutually agreed-upon collective bargaining agreement. Although the Carrier has the right to issue policies, those policies may not conflict with language established and agreed to by both parties in the collective bargaining agreement.

KCS Mediation Sessions

We have now had three mediation sessions with the CPKC, facilitated by NMB Mediator Bjarne Henderson. Our first was held April 20-22 followed by a three-day session in Chicago from May 12-14, and yet another from July 6-8. During the lapse in meetings since our last session, the parties have exchanged proposals electronically on many of the outstanding issues.

MRL Section 6 Townhall Meetings

The current agreement covering MRL members is nearing expiration, with a final 3.5% wage increase scheduled for January 1, 2027. Before serving notice on the Carrier in early 2027 to amend the agreement, we are seeking member input on priorities for the next bargaining round. The non-operating coalition—BRS, BMWE, and IAM—will hold town hall meetings in October to gather that input.

DTO - True Meaning of Solidarity

Solidarity—a word us union members often use, sometimes without truly appreciating its full meaning. There is no greater example of solidarity than what the members of DTO local 243 have recently shown to a member in need. Many of us perceive solidarity as mutual support within a workgroup, most often as it relates to a work-related issue.

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BRS Efforts to Obtain Emergency Sick Leave

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the lack of sick leave afforded our members, the Organization attempted to get out in front of the impending certainty coming our way – infections and/or exposure quarantines of our members.

Download:

GCA Letter to Carl Ice Re COVID-19 (3-16-2020) (1).pdf

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Available on both the Apple Store and Google Play for Android!

CLICK THE APPROPRIATE ICON BELOW FROM YOUR APPLE OR ANDROID MOBILE DEVICE.

BRS Efforts to Obtain Emergency Sick Leave

GCA Letter to Carl Ice Re COVID-19 (3-16-2020) (1).pdf

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Upcoming Events

BRS BNSF GC Mid-Term Meeting
Oct 12, 2026
Tin Lizzy, Deadwood, SD

Local 33 Meeting
Oct 17, 2026
Ottawa, KS, Location TBA

Local 185 Meeting
Oct 24, 2026
Meeting being held via Zoom only

Local 20 Meeting
Nov 07, 2026
Naperville, IL TBA

Local 188 Meeting
Nov 21, 2026
Vancouver, WA, TBA

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