ARTICLE 28

A. It is agreed that the switching limits as presently established will not be changed unless mutually agreed to, in writing, between the Management and representatives of the employees.

It is further agreed that if in the future for valid reason, including but not limited to the establishment of new industries, the switching limits hereby recognized and established may be changed by mutual agreement. It is understood that in the event a change is desired by either party, the merits are to be fairly considered in each instance and conclusion reached thereon.

It is further agreed that any change in the present switching limits shall affect industrial switching only and will not change present practices at any point relating to the following:

1. The handling of transfer or interchange

2. Pusher service

B. The employees involved, and the Carriers represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee, being desirous of cooperating in order to meet conditions on the various properties to the end that efficient and adequate switching service may be provided and industrial development facilitated, adopt the following:

1. Where an individual Carrier which does not have the unilateral right to change existing switching limits where yard crews are employed, considers it advisable to change the same, it shall give notice in writing to the General Chairperson(s) of such intention, whereupon the Carrier and the General Chairperson(s) shall, within 30 days, endeavor to negotiate an understanding.

In the event the Carrier and the General Chairperson(s) cannot agree on the matter, the dispute shall be submitted to arbitration as provided for in the Railway Labor Act, as amended, within 60 days following the date of the last conference. The decision of the Arbitration Board will be made within 30 days thereafter. The award of the Board shall be final and binding on the parties and shall become effective thereafter upon seven days' notice by the Carrier.

2. Where rules require that yard limits and switching limits be the same, the yard limit board may be moved for operating purposes but switching limits shall remain unchanged unless and until changed in accordance with rules governing changes in switching limits.

3. This Article shall in no way effect the changing of yard or switching limits at points where no yard crews are employee

C. LOCATION OF SWITCHING LIMITS

The location of switching limits as of August 25, 1978 are defined by a bulletin on file in the Division Superintendent's office, Labor Relations and the General Chairperson's office. Additionally, it can be found in Appendix B of this Agreement.

This page last updated: March 02, 2005