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One topic that has been the source of constant disagreements with the Carrier over the last few years is Rule 12D. More specifically, your right to sign off outside of hours on a workday. Make no mistake, the Carrier would love to “own” you 24/7, but that is NOT what the agreement provides. The only day upon which you are required to remain available for 24 hours is your protect day. And for that, the Carrier pays a paltry fee of 8 hours of straight time. As good a deal as that is, they seem to have gotten greedy in recent years and want much more from you.
But it is imperative, if we are to keep this barbaric railroad from taking more from us, that we collectively push back, and defend what our predecessors fought for. Do not be led to believe you are not free to sign off on any other day that ends in “y”. That right has not always existed and there was once a time (many years ago) when the agreement required you to obtain “permission” to sign off after hours from a supervisor. But, as negotiations go, our predecessors secured the rule we have today, which gives us the right to simply “notify” them when we will be unavailable. Can you imagine how disappointed our predecessors would be if they knew we allowed ourselves to be held hostage by the Carrier despite the clear agreement provision they fought to obtain? Don’t let that be you.
It is a constant challenge to balance the obligations of our work life with the necessity we make time to spend with our loved ones and live our “real life.” It is easy to get wrapped up in the mindset we must always be that rapid responder, the one eager to quickly and efficiently repair any defect in the Carrier’s signal system. After all, we are a craft that prides ourselves in being able to find and repair problems others cannot. This is not a bad thing. It is part of what makes us successful, and we need to remember that. However, we also must not let that get in the way of what is most important – enjoying our family and our other interests. The Agreement provides us this right. You should never be coerced not to use it.
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