The BNSF/MRL General Committee of Adjustment held a training session September 22-24 in Las Vegas for 45 Local Chairmen and Vice Chairmen. General Chairman Kent Psota said that the GCA’s bylaws mandate Local Chairman receive training once every two years.
A wide range of topics were covered, including the Railway Labor Act, arbitration, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), Local Chairman duties, Duty of Fair Representation, elements of successful time claims, and how to prepare for and participate effectively in disciplinary hearings. Additional discussions focused on matters unique to the BNSF/MRL GCA.
The GCA Executive Committee — which consists of General Chairman Psota, 1st Vice Chairman Jess Nelson, 2nd Vice Chairman Jason Scanlan, 3rd Vice Chairman Jeff Grimes, 4th Vice General Chairman Brian Fransen, and Secretary-Treasurer Luke Myers — organized and facilitated the training session.
Representatives of the National Division, including National President Mark Wallace, First Vice President Gary Best, National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, National Vice President Billy Lyons, and National Vice President Randy Fannon, were also in attendance to lend support.
The BNSF/MRL is the largest GCA in the BLET, representing 44 different Local Divisions and more than 3,700 active members.
A gallery of photos from the workshop can be found on the National Division website.