BNSF General Chairmen met with Labor Relations officers on December 2, 1999, in response to the Carrier's Notice to adopt ATSF locomotive standards system wide. The Carrier originally portrayed the Notice as a means of assuring a "free-flowing locomotive fleet" in which any locomotive could be utilized on any assignment throughout the merged Carrier. However, by the end of the meeting it was abundantly clear that the Carrier is not really interested in locomotive utilization. What the Carrier really wants is the lowest possible standard for all locomotives. The General Chairmen involved (including those from the former Santa Fe) agreed to adopt BN locomotive standards system wide, and recommended a means of accomplishing that single standard without significant cost to the Carrier. Although the Carrier has no plausible reason why that plan wouldn't work, they made it clear that they had no intention of upgrading any locomotive equipment under any conditions. Unless the Carrier changes this unreasonable position, it is likely that a two-part arbitration will be unavoidable. This first stage would address the threshold question of whether the Section 4 Notice is even proper, since no actual change in facilities or equipment is contemplated. The second stage, if needed, would address the merits of the Carrier's request.