Claiming Rules

 Louisville Yard Claiming Rules

1.  Employees claiming a vacancy must stay on that vacancy unless a subsequent vacancy arises or the employee receives a displacement right.

2.  Employees claiming a vacancy can be displaced by a senior employee requesting the assignment until calling time of the assignment.

3.  Employees can be displaced off duty.

4.  Employees MUST mark off “yard rest” after five (5) straight time starts (not days) in a period beginning on Monday and ending on Sunday.  Holidays worked will count as a straight time start (even though paid as time and one half).

5.  Employees can work multiple shifts within the same day as long as it is within the parameters of the agreement.

6.  Employees claiming a vacancy do not have to work the claimed assignment before claiming a subsequent vacancy.

7.  Protected employees (pre-1985) have 48 hours displacement time if displaced from a temporary vacancy.

8.  Non-protected employees (post-1985) have 12 hours displacement time if displaced form a temporary vacancy (If they have protected the vacancy at least one (1) shift).

9.  Non-protected employees have to place themselves immediately if displaced from a temporary vacancy if the vacancy hasn’t been protected at least one (1) shift.

10.  Pre-1985 employees can claim vacancy’s for the off days.  Post-1985 employees can not.

11.  Regular assigned switchmen have the option of moving over to a vacancy on the foreman’s position of their assignment..  The regular assigned switchman has this option for three (3) shifts.  After three (3) shifts, the foreman’s job is a known vacancy and is claimable by the oldest employee requesting the assignment.

To claim assignments please contact the Crew Management Center at 1-800-624-7503.

 Louisville Yard Claiming Penalty

Yard employees making illegal claims will be penalized in the following manner:

First Offense:  Employee will be removed from the illegally claimed assignment, returned from the assignment they moved from, and given a verbal warning from the Switchman Local Chairman or the Switchman Vice Local Chairman.

Second Offense:  Employee will be returned to their REGULAR assignment and all claiming rights will be suspended for a period of 30 days. 

Third Offense:  Employee will be returned to their REGULAR assignment and all claiming rights will be suspended for a period of 60 days.

All Offenses After Third:  Employee will be returned to their regular assignment and all claiming rights suspended for a period of 90 days.

The Switchman Local Chairman and the Switchman Vice Local Chairman will determine if a claim is legal or illegal.  If an agreement can’t be made between the Chairman, the Local President will settle the dispute.  The Switchman Local Chairman and Switchman Vice Local Chairman will maintain accurate records of all penalties assessed in regard to illegal claiming.

If you have questions in regard to claiming yard vacancies or you suspect someone of an illegal move please contact the Switchman Local Chairman or Switchman Vice Local Chairman immediately.

Louisville Road Claiming Rules

Coming soon!