This General Committee was the first in the country to implement Trip Rates. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), some unidentified individuals have attempted to bushwhack our efforts by anonymously circulating inaccurate and misleading information regarding the impact of Trip Rates. We are currently gathering and verifying the data necessary to refute those misrepresentations. But that is not really the core issue here. By remaining anonymous these individuals not only avoid any accountability for their actions, they also make it more difficult to address any real issues that might exist. The mandate of the new UTU National Agreement is clear:

"The new pay system will neither create nor result in additional pay-related costs for a carrier, nor gains for its employees, nor losses for pre October 31, 1985 employees, except insofar as those employees acquiring seniority in train or engine service subsequent to October 31, 1985 who, coincident with the establishment of Trip Rates pursuant to this Article, will have their Trip Rates calculated based upon elements of pay for which they were not eligible prior to the date of this Agreement.

"The parties recognize that successful implementation of this Article is dependent upon the mutual cooperation of all involved."

Obviously the establishment of Trip Rates will mean that some individual trips (e.g., deadheads) may pay more and other kinds of trips (e.g., long mileage turns) may pay less than under the old pay system. However, if Trip Rates result in overall increases or decreases in pay for Pre-1985 employees, then the parties have a mutual responsibility to address that inequity and correct it. We have the Carrier's commitment to do just that, and we have a Joint Committee on BNSF as well as a National Disputes Committee in place to insure that any valid inequities are addressed promptly. If those individuals circulating the misinformation regarding Trip Rates are truly concerned about protecting the earnings of present and future operating employees, then we invite them to come out of hiding and join us in establishing trip rates that accomplish the worthy purpose for which they were intended.