ELKHART, Ind. — Norfolk Southern Corp.’s Elkhart-based conductors will be unable to use a strike to effect changes in labor conditions, the South Bend Tribune reported.
On Monday, United Transportation Union Local 194 Chairman Robert Holbrook submitted a strike request on behalf of 120 conductors based out of Norfolk Southern’s Elkhart rail yard.
But a negative response from the union’s executive leadership came Tuesday afternoon.
While there is a contract between the union and Norfolk Southern, the union may strike in the event of a major dispute.
“The international considered it minor; that’s why they denied it,” Holbrook said.
Local 194 members are seeking changes to work conditions, including scheduling.
The 120 Elkhart-based conductors and engineers serve on freight trains that run to and from Chicago, Cleveland and Peru, Ind.
Currently, Holbrook said, crews are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The local union wants Norfolk Southern to restore a work/rest program Holbrook said the company canceled about a year ago.
Such a program “would allow them to schedule a day off in advance so they could take care of things for their family, make a doctor’s appointment,” Holbrook said. “They could count on the day off.”
In addition, Holbrook said, the strike request complained that “supervisors are harassing and intimidating employees.”
Holbrook said the union has tried to resolve these issues with Norfolk Southern’s regional superintendents but discussions were fruitless.
On Tuesday, Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband said, “We’re aware of the issues and we’re working with the union to resolve them.”
While union leadership denied the strike request, they have agreed to send a vice president to help the local affiliate negotiate with Norfolk Southern.
Holbrook emphasized Tuesday that he remains committed to pushing for changes.
Norfolk Southern Corp., based in Norfolk, Va., is the holding company for Norfolk Southern Railway Company. The freight railway operates about 21,500 route miles in 22 states, plus Washington, D.C., and the Canadian province of Ontario.