STTA

SHORT TRIP TURN AROUND SERVICE

 

This was first developed in 1910 and it allowed the Carrier to relieve multiple hours of Service Crews with one crew. The original rule reads as follows:

 

“Washington Agreement” of July 1, 1910, Between the Order of Railway Conductors and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and the Railroad Companies Parties thereto, the following has been agreed upon by the party’s signatory here to:

 

  1. (a) In through freight or mixed train service, a turnaround run is a run from a terminal to an intermediate point and return to the starting terminal, and not less than 100 miles will be allowed for each such run.

    (b) Two or more turnaround runs between the same points in continuous service may be required at mileage rates and overtime, with a minimum of 100 miles, where the distance one way is less than 30 miles; provided the second or any succeeding run shall be started within 8 hours from the time the crew was ordered to report for first run; and provided further that when the actual miles run equal or exceed 100 miles the starting of an additional run shall be regarded as commencing a new day. Time of trainmen on such runs will be continuous from the time crew reports for duty at initial point for the first run until relieved upon the completion of last run. (A second or succeeding turnaround may be made to and return from a point between the turnaround point of the first run and the starting terminal.)

This rule restricted the Conductor/Brakeman to 30 miles in one direction or a total of 100 miles for multiple trips for each tour of duty in this service. If the STTA crew had been on duty 10 hours and they were instructed to departed the terminal to relieve another HOS crew or if the STTA crew exceeded 100 miles, they would be paid an additional day.

 

INTERPRETATION OF “WASHINGTON AGREEMENT”

By Employee’s Committee and Answers Thereto by General Manager’s Committee

  1. A turn-around run is a run from a terminal to an intermediate point and return to the starting terminal.

Answer: This is covered by Article “D” of the “Washington Agreement.” A turn-around run is a run a part of which is made in one direction and the remainder in the opposite direction, for which pay at the established rate for minimum of 100 miles will be allowed if other service is not performed.

The current Rule Article 4 E “SHORT TRIPS AND TURNAROUNDS” on page 4-5 of the current working agreement reads as follows:

 

ARTICLE 4

 

E.        SHORT TRIPS AND TURNAROUNDS

 

1.         In through freight service, a turnaround run is a run from a terminal to an intermediate point and return to the starting terminal, and not less than a basic day will be allowed for each run, except as provided in Paragraph 2.

 

2.         Employees in pool or irregular freight service may called to make short trips and turnarounds with the understanding that one or more turnaround trips may be started out of the same terminal and paid actual miles, with a minimum of a basic day, provided:

  1. That the mileage of all the trips does not exceed 100 miles

  2. That employees shall not be required to begin work on a succeeding trip out of the initial terminal after having been on duty eight consecutive hours, except as a new day, subject to first-in, first-out rule or practice

NOTE 1:

            In cases where exception a. prevents operating two or more trips out of the initial terminal because the total mileage would exceed 100 miles, each case will be handled fairly on its merits between Management and the Committee, looking to an agreement for a modification of the application of the rule in such case or cases, that relief may be afforded upon the merits.

 

            Paragraph 2. does not apply to crews in helper, mine run, work train and wrecking service.

 

This agreement has been around for some time but it is often misused due to the lack of understanding of the agreement and its proper application. The agreement was designed to allow the Carriers to use one crew to relieve several HOS crews. The Carriers were restricted from sending a STTA crew out of the terminal after having been on duty for 8 hours except as a new day and the STTA crew could not exceed a total of 100 miles. Exceeding 100 miles would also constitute a new day. The crews used in STTA service should be called as follows:

  1. You must be placed in STTA service when called or prior to performing any Service.

  2. A relief crew that is not called or placed in STTA service prior to performing Service will be due a penalty day if they depart the terminal on a second run regardless of the miles run on the first trip. If the preceding takes place the applicable Extra Boards will also be due the applicable penalty under the not call in turn provision of the agreement for Extra Boards. Article 6 D. NOT CALLED IN ORDER # 1. Conductor’s part b. and # 2. Trainmen part d. on page 6-2 and 6-3 of the agreement. The Engineer will also be due the same penalty and Engineer first out on the Engineer's Extra board will be due a not called in turn penalty as well.

  3. Being called in relief service does not automatically place you in STTA service. The crew caller must tell you that you are called in relief service for one or more trips. STTA crew is allowed to go in and out of the terminal one or more times with out additional compensation unless the Carrier fails to comply with the provisions of Article E 2 parts a and b.

A crew called in relief service is due an additional day if they are instructed to depart the limits of their terminal (on duty point)  more than one time.

  1. A STTA service can not involve a straight away run (home terminal to the away terminal) as the intent of the agreement is to turn at an intermediate point and return to the home terminal.

  2. When called in STTA or relief service print a copy of the on duty screen upon arrival at your on duty point. This screen should state how you were called such as “relief service one or more” or “relief service”. Each call is different and is governed under different parts of the agreement. A copy of the on duty screen will help in resolving the issue of the type of service a crew was called to perform and in getting an employee paid correctly.

  3. The Conductors/Trainpersons are theoretically restricted to 50 miles from the terminal to the turning point although the agreement does not state this. It is implied by the 100 mile limit per tour of duty. The Engineer’s agreement restricts the mileage to not exceed 25 miles from the terminal to the turning point with a 100 mile maximum  for all trips per one tour of duty.

 

THIS PAGE LAST UPDATED: 04/05/2005