The following information is being provided for the benefit of employees who may be facing furlough.

FURLOUGH & RECALL

Because of the various Agreements in place on different portions of BNSF, how employees are furloughed and subsequently recalled depends on the provisions of the Agreement governing the location you’re working at, but generally follow seniority ranking (most junior furloughed first -- most senior recalled first). Specific answers to specific questions must come from the General Chairperson with jurisdiction over your territory.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

In most cases, furloughed employees will be eligible for unemployment benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act. Information and applications are available on-line at www.rrb.gov.

HEALTH & WELFARE

Continuation of coverage for furloughed employees extends to the end of the 4th month following the last month in which they render the requisite amount of compensated service. In most (but not all) cases, one day in a calendar month is all that’s required to qualify. The exception is the employee who had an opportunity to work 7 or more tours of duty in the month. Such employees must have availed themselves of at least 7 of those work opportunities in order to count that month as a qualifying month.

An example of an employee needing only one day to qualify for December is one who worked (or took vacation) on December 1st and was furloughed on December 2nd. That employee did not have the opportunity to work at least 7 days and therefore only needs one day to qualify in December, and will then have H&W coverage through the end of April.

On the other hand, an employee who is not furloughed until December 10th must have performed or been available for service at least 7 days in December. If the employee laid off 4 days (only working 6), they will not be able to count December as a qualifying month.

You should also be aware that answering a call for emergency work at any time while furloughed “resets” the 4 month clock. A tour of duty worked in January extends coverage through the end of May. A tour of duty worked in February extends coverage through the end of June. A tour of duty worked in April extends coverage through the end of July.