A recent agreement was reached on the BNSF that will make dramatic changes to the apprentice training program. As a function of that agreement, all current assistant signalmen will have an option to either participate in the revised training program or remain under the terms of the previous Rule 30. Employees hired on or after December 2023, will automatically fall under the revised agreement.
A complete copy of the revised Rule 30 will be posted on our website, but the pertinent changes are as follows:
Required minimum test score will decrease from 80% to 75%
Additional 5% awarded for homework.
Fifth Session added to combine field training with a maintainer and a classroom curriculum that is focused on maintaining.
No pass/fail test required for fifth session.
60 days of company provided lodging for all graduates who take a maintainer position within 120 days of graduation.
Quicker escalation through assistant pay steps via reduced timeframe between sessions.
Graduation within approximately 1.5 years.
Our hope is that the rule modifications result in a better opportunity for our Assistant Signalmen to become successful Signalmen. We are also hopeful that the amended program will alleviate some of the anxiety graduates feel about the prospect of being a maintainer
