BNSF News

Beginning in 2010, Transportation Employees Have Option for Instructor-Led Required Rules Training

2009-10-19

Greg Fox heard a common theme in discussions with Transportation employees across the BNSF system.

"Employees clearly voiced their confusion with the bi-annual and tri-annual training cycles as well as frustration with computer-based rules training and closed-book tests," said Fox, vice president, Transportation. "Based on employee input, we're simplifying the schedules for required training and recertification activities. Employees will also be able to choose the type of rules instruction they prefer to fit their own unique learning style."

New two-year cycle

To simplify training schedules, all Transportation employees will move to a two-year cycle for safety training in 2010, alternating each year between "Year A" and "Year B" training. With this change, employees in "Year B" will receive rules training and select their preferred format: either instructor-led classes or computer-based training (CBT). Additionally, employees will be able to use their rule books as references during rules exams.

Are you "Year A" or "Year B"?

Employees will be notified on Nov. 1 of their assigned year through the paperless timekeeping system (in the Transportation Support System, or TSS). Employees assigned to "Year B" will have 30 days to select either instructor-led classes or CBT for their training.

Employees will learn their assigned training dates for 2010 on Dec. 15 via TSS. If an employee's scheduled vacation conflicts with assigned training dates, the employee should contact his or her division's field training manager to determine alternate training dates.

Employees will be paid for the time they spend in training in both years, as outlined in labor agreements. Employees' training time will count toward hours of service but will not count as a start. For details, employees can consult the hours-of-service rules.

Year "A" training

Beginning Jan. 18, 2010, employees assigned to Year A training, referred to as Other Required Training (ORT), will receive training that addresses safety and security, such as the following:

• Securing America's Railroads
• Hearing Conservation
• Hazardous Material Training

ORT training will only be available via CBT.

Where possible, locomotive engineers assigned to "Year A" will also receive training via BNSF's Network Simulator (NETSIM) system.

"Year B" training

Employees assigned to "Year B," which also begins Jan. 18, 2010, will receive the new rules training; however, employees can designate the type of training they would prefer.

Employees have until Dec. 1 to input their selection for either instructor-led classes or CBT training via the paperless timekeeping system in TSS.

United Transportation Union (UTU) employees who choose the CBT option will be eligible for an incentive payment if they successfully complete their "Year B" training prior to their scheduled date. A UTU employee who misses his or her assigned training date will be required to take the course via CBT without receiving an incentive payment.

The rules training program will include instruction on the meaning and application of selected GCOR, ABTH, and safety rules. Rules testing will now be "open book." This change mirrors the requirement that employees must carry a current copy of the rule books and other materials when they are on duty.

"Employees should still know and understand how to apply all rules," said Scott Schafer, general director, Railroad Training Services. "But we want every employee to be familiar with how to find the most current rule and encourage them to use their books if they have a question."

"Year B" locomotive engineers will normally receive their recertification ride with a road foreman of engines.

Federal certification

Certified employees must continue to meet federal certification requirements, which include hearing/vision and state/national driver's license checks. These requirements will be handled separately from the "Year A" and "Year B" training programs. The Technical Training Center (TTC) will alert employees via the paperless timekeeping system in TSS that they have three months to complete the necessary training to maintain their certification.

BNSF Headquarters

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com