This refers to the concerns you expressed
during our recent meetings regarding the familiarization
provided to employees for Expanded Crew Change points. In
particular the situation where a conductor who had not been
familiarized was asked to run long with a fully qualified
Locomotive Engineer.
We agree that the provisions of
the Collective Agreement have application in these
circumstances and one member of the crew, as defined under
the agreement, should be familiarized prior to a train crew
being requested to run long in ECCP locations.
In the
event an employee is not familiar with the ECCP territory,
the Company recognizes that if they do not feel confident in
proceeding on the run long portion, they will be afforded a
pilot as part of their familiarization.
It is also
recognized that some employee may feel sufficiently confident
in their skills and that of the familiarized Locomotive
engineer, to proceed in the run long portion without the need
for a pilot. This practice will continue to be allowed as
part of the employee’s familiarization, as long as they agree
to proceed in this manner.