September 29, 2006
Certified Mail # 7005 03900003 1083 1114
To: Mr. Jeff Sliger
Dearborn Division Superintendent
17301 Michigan Ave.
Dearborn Michigan 48126
From: Robert L. Holbrook U1U Local 194 Local Chainman 0450 East 450 South Wolcottville Indiana 46795
Subject: Norfolk Southern Rule GR9
Dear Sir:
. Due to my concerns for our members safety and so there is no misunderstanding of where a safe location is to follow this rule I am requesting
that you furnish me information to post at Elkhart Indiana where all the safe locations to perform GR9 are on the Dearborn Division and other
Divisions the E1khart Indiana employees work. I would also like information furnished where it is unsafe to do a GR9 check so there is no
misunderstanding about these locations to prevent someone from getting injured or worst yet killed. Your failure to provide this information will lead
the organizations with little doubt where the Norfolk Southern stands on this issue. It is only a matter of time until someone is injured or worst yet
killed by a derailment or flying debris or equipment coming off from a passing train and the Norfolk Southern will be responsible for their injuries or
death. Even though the rule states [all employees must, as far as practicable observe passing trains on both sides when two or more can safely
position, themselves in advance] the employees the organizations represent are always wrong and guilty. Despite what some supervisores think the
majority of employees come to work to perform their job safely, earn a living for their families, move the &eight and safely return home.
The Norfolk Southern would be a lot better place of employment if this were all done in a friendly manner rather than a confrontational manner and
the Norfolk Southern would benefit from this type of work environment by greater productivity. Recently it has been reported that a grain 1rain
passing one of our members bad grain coming off the cars and he reported it felt like pellets from a pellet gun hitting also stone trains passing have
stones coming off the top of the cars. At the present time we have no outstanding issues with GR9 but I know it's only a matter of time until something
goes wrong. The organizations are just as interested in safety as the Norfolk Southern is and we want all our members to return home safely every
day or every trip they make.
R. L. Holbrook
Cc: D. G. Strunk General Chairman
T. E. Hensler Indiana Legislative Director