This office has received numerous calls from furloughed employees, who have received an offer from BNSF to go to work in the engineering department, asking how accepting such an offer effects their train service seniority. The answer is, it has no effect while you are furloughed. It is no different than working any other job while you are furloughed. However, that changes as soon as a recall Notice is issued. Depending on the provisions of the Agreement governing furloughs at the location where you were furloughed, the length of time you have to respond to a recall Notice varies.

Train service employees furloughed at locations governed by former Frisco Agreements should be aware that Article 24, Section D of the Conductors' and Brakemen's Schedule reduces the time to respond to a recall Notice to train service from 30 days, down to 7 days, if working in another capacity for the Carrier.

Train service employees furloughed at locations governed by other former road Agreements should check those Agreements for similar provisions.