Time will tell if BNSF management is serious about making meaningful changes in the way it has chosen to address manpower issues and absenteeism. In a meeting with UTU General Chairmen in Ft. Worth, Texas on December 1 and 2, 1999, BNSF officers heard what UTU representatives and members have been saying about the Availability Policy, and made at least verbal commitments to significantly change course. National Mediation Board Chairperson Maggie Jacobson, acting as facilitator for the meeting, expressed great concern over the negative impact of the Availability Policy on the new round of national negotiations. Ms. Jacobson took comprehensive notes of the parties' discussions and offered the informal services of the NMB to facilitate further discussions if necessary. As a result of the meeting, the Carrier has promised to stop the mailing of letters to those identified as having violated the Policy, and to seek less intrusive ways of identifying employees who truly have established patterns of poor attendance. The parties have agreed to two additional meeting dates, and we will advise you of any progress made in those meetings.