3 years 2 years 24 years 6 years 8 years Paid Vacation and ...€¦ · Dept. 2 years 2 Pamela...

4
Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc. February 2012 Paid Vacation and Paid Sick Leave To All of our Employees: We are currently in the process of updating our Employee Handbook. We anticipate providing you with the revised edition within the next couple of months. However, there are two important changes that took effect on January 1. 2012. We want you to have as much time as possible to take advantage of the changes being made. The modifications are being made to: assist the company in financial planning, streamline the administration of the programs, and better coordinate the use of vacation and sick leave. Therefore, please note the following summary of the new Paid Vacation and Paid Sick Leave Benefits. Paid Vacation: Every year, beginning on January 1, 2012, [and on January 1st of every year thereafter] each employee will receive the applicable block of vacation days based on the length of time the employee has been in company service. For example, on January 1, 2012, all employees who have worked for the company for more than one (1) year and less than three (3) years received a block of five (5) vacation days. Those who been employed for three (3) to five (5) years received a block of ten (10) vacation days. Employees with more than five years of service received a block of fifteen (15) vacation days. A new employee, hired in 2011, will receive a pro rata number of days to be used in 2012. We believe that it is important for each employee to take advantage of the benefits of vacation time. As such, any unused vacation days will be forfeited at the end of each year. However, as stated above, the employee will receive a new allotment of Paid Vacation Days on January 1, of the New Year. If an employee had surplus vacation days at the end of 2011, he/she must use them in 2012, after which time they will expire. No payment will be made for unused vacation days. The Company will modify these practices as necessary to fully comply with state or local law applicable where an employee resides. Please schedule your vacation days with your supervisor, as soon as reasonably possible. Paid Sick Leave: Every year, beginning on January 1, 2012 (and on January 1st of each year thereafter), each employee, who has been employed for at least six (6) months, will be entitled to receive six (6) qualified days of Paid Sick Leave, consisting of eight (8) hours per day. Any unused days will expire at the end of each year, with no carryover. The employee will again be entitled to a new allotment of six (6) days on January 1, of the New Year. If an employee had more than six (6) days of Paid Sick Leave available at the end of 2011, the employee must use any such surplus of paid sick days, by the end of 2012, after which time they will expire. Of course, the employee will receive another six (6) days on January 1, 2013. Thank you for your careful review of this new procedure. Should you have any questions, please contact Lonnie Wallace, 801-977-6308, in the Payroll Department. I appreciate all the good work you are doing to keep our Company a successful leader in our industry. Best Regards, Rhonda Nicoloff President Cheryl Norton [email protected] PO Box 30076, SLC, UT 84130 801-977-6328 To Contact the Editor: Direct Line to Rhonda L. Nicoloff, President 801-244-5083

Transcript of 3 years 2 years 24 years 6 years 8 years Paid Vacation and ...€¦ · Dept. 2 years 2 Pamela...

Page 1: 3 years 2 years 24 years 6 years 8 years Paid Vacation and ...€¦ · Dept. 2 years 2 Pamela Mortensen-Eagle Lake, TX Billy Jones-Phoenix, AZ 3 years 3 ... the employee will receive

Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.

February 2012Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Robert Marquez-Field Operations Mark Dewald-SL Real Estate Dept. 2 years

2 Pamela Mortensen-Eagle Lake, TX Billy Jones-Phoenix, AZ 3 years

3 Erbin Martinez Perez-Field Operations 2 years Gilberto Mendez Hernandez-Field Operations 2 years

4

5 Robert Overbey-Field Operations 24 years

6 Joaquin Calderon-Kansas City, KS Silverio Berber-SL Real Estate Dept. 6 years Carlos Mendoza-Mira Loma, CA 4 years

7 Portia Dempsey,-SL Real Estate Dept. 1 year

8 Kimberli Blomberg-Stockton, CA Armando Chavez-Kansas City, KS

9 Joaquin Calderon-Kansas City, KS 8 years Adrian Laguna-Kansas City, KS 5 years

10 Andy Yciano-Stockton, CA Lorenzo Villanueva.Toledo, OH Kyle Willard-Tacoma, WA Glenn Miller-Mira Loma, CA 37 years

11

12 Francisco Machuca-Kansas City, KS

13 Jessie Walker-Gary, IN Allen Vickers-Corporate Headquarters

14 15 Esteban Cecelio Ortiz-Field Operations Juan Alvarado-Kansas City, KS 1 year

16 Erbin Martinez Perez-Field Operations Christopher Rocha-Grenada Railway 1 year

17 18 Larry Bird-Gary, IN Juan Alvarado-Kansas City, KS Jonatan Victoria-Field Operations

19 Karl Renner-Kansas City, KS 24 years

20 21 Scott Mortensen-Field Operations 5 years

22 Wade Buckley-Clearfield, UT Roger Bowman-Kansas City, KS Greg Krok-New Orleans, LA 30 years Anselmo Garcia-Stockton, CA 16 years

23 24 25 Christina Okey-Phoenix, AZ Leighton Ezell-Grenada Railway Alfredo Sansores-Houston, TX

26 Casey Miller-Field Operations

27 28 Roger Mix-Field Operations Cesar Mejia-Kansas City, KS 1 year

29

Birthdays and Anniversaries for February 2012 Birthdays Anniversaries

Copyright 2012 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.

A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, “I can sleep through a storm.”

This puzzled the farmer … but he liked the young man. So he hired him.

A few weeks later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm ripping through the valley. He leapt out of bed and called for his new hired hand, but the young man was sleeping soundly.

So they quickly began to check things to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.

The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. He sees that the bales of wheat had been bound and wrapped in tarpaulins.

The tractor had been moved into its garage. The barn was properly locked tight. Even the animals were calm and had plenty of feed. All was well.

The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man’s words, “I can sleep through a storm.”

Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for any storm. So when the storm did actually break, he was not concerned or afraid. He could sleep in peace.

Can You Sleep Through the Storm?

Paid Vacation and Paid Sick LeaveTo All of our Employees:

We are currently in the process of updating our Employee Handbook. We anticipate providing you with the revised edition within the next couple of months. However, there are two important changes that took effect on January 1. 2012. We want you to have as much time as possible to take advantage of the changes being made. The modifications are being made to: assist the company in financial planning, streamline the administration of the programs, and better coordinate the use of vacation and sick leave. Therefore, please note the following summary of the new Paid Vacation and Paid Sick Leave Benefits.

Paid Vacation: Every year, beginning on January 1, 2012, [and on January 1st of every year thereafter] each employee will receive the applicable block of vacation days based on the length of time the employee has been in company service. For example, on January 1, 2012, all employees who have worked for the company for more than one (1) year and less than three (3) years received a block of five (5) vacation days. Those who been employed for three (3) to five (5) years received a block of ten (10) vacation days. Employees with more than five years of service received a block of fifteen (15) vacation days. A new employee, hired in 2011, will receive a pro rata number of days to be used in 2012.

We believe that it is important for each employee to take advantage of the benefits of vacation time. As such, any unused vacation days will be forfeited at the end of each year. However, as stated above, the employee will receive a new allotment of Paid Vacation Days on January 1, of the New Year. If an employee had surplus vacation days at the end of 2011, he/she must use them in 2012, after which time they will expire. No payment will be made for unused vacation days. The Company will modify these practices as necessary to fully comply with state or local law applicable where an employee resides. Please schedule your vacation days with your supervisor, as soon as reasonably possible.

Paid Sick Leave: Every year, beginning on January 1, 2012 (and on January 1st of each year thereafter), each employee, who has been employed for at least six (6) months, will be entitled to receive six (6) qualified days of Paid Sick Leave, consisting of eight (8) hours per day. Any unused days will expire at the end of each year, with no carryover. The employee will again be entitled to a new allotment of six (6) days on January 1, of the New Year. If an employee had more than six (6) days of Paid Sick Leave available at the end of 2011, the employee must use any such surplus of paid sick days, by the end of 2012, after which time they will expire. Of course, the employee will receive another six (6) days on January 1, 2013.

Thank you for your careful review of this new procedure. Should you have any questions, please contact Lonnie Wallace, 801-977-6308, in the Payroll Department. I appreciate all the good work you are doing to keep our Company a successful leader in our industry. Best Regards,

Rhonda Nicoloff

President

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” - John F. Kennedy

Antonio Gaytan Vargas-Field Operations 2 years

Cheryl Norton [email protected]

PO Box 30076, SLC, UT 84130801-977-6328

To Contact the Editor:Direct Line to Rhonda L. Nicoloff, President

801-244-5083

Page 2: 3 years 2 years 24 years 6 years 8 years Paid Vacation and ...€¦ · Dept. 2 years 2 Pamela Mortensen-Eagle Lake, TX Billy Jones-Phoenix, AZ 3 years 3 ... the employee will receive

Safety goals for 2011 were set with a promise of big rewards if the goals were met. The goal: REPEAT and improve upon our 2010 performance. We wrapped up 2010 having achieved our safety goals and big prizes were awarded. You came through again making 2011 the second year in a row to complete the year with zero lost-time accidents, 15 or fewer first-aid accidents, and 25 or fewer incidents of damage to vehicles, equipment, and machinery.

On January 20, 2012, a drawing was held to select the winners of the reward money. Jeff Kron won the grand prize of $10,000! Joe Shinsky, James White, Vicente Segura, Anastacio Hernandez, David Rakestraw, Manuel Sandoval, Daniel Contreras-Villegas, Kevin Best, Joaquin Calderon, Carlos Mendoza, Luis Bautista, Luis Abonce, Martin Conde, Silverio Berber and Isai Aguirre all won $1000. In addition, all other eligible employees each received $250. This is a terrific accomplishment on the part of all employees! We are very pleased to inform you that we decided to make Health Advocate™,

a new and important benefit, available to all our employees who participate with our group medical insurance plans. Health Advocate is designed to help handle healthcare and insurance related issues by cutting through the red tape and barriers that so often create frustration and problems.

You will have an advocate on your sideWith Health Advocate, you will have your own Personal Health Advocate, a registered nurse, supported by a team of medical doctors and administrative experts. You will have the confidence in knowing that the entire Health Advocate team is working on your behalf to help and represent your needs.

Here is just a sample of the many services you will now have readily available to you with Health Advocate:

• Help finding the best doctors and hospitals and getting to see them• Help obtaining services for your elderly parents• Help scheduling timely appointments, especially with specialist physicians• Help when faced with serious illness or injury• Help with insurance claims and billing issues

One of the other unique features of Health Advocate is that your entire family will be able to use their special services. In addition to you, your spouse and children, your parents and the parents of your spouse will also be covered under this program.

About Health AdvocateHealth Advocate is a national advocacy and assistance company headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Their mission is to help individuals and organizations get the very best healthcare service. The company is managed by a team of leading healthcare and insurance experts with well over 100 years of collective experience.

It should be noted that Health Advocate does not provide health insurance or medical coverage. Their program is not a substitute for your current health insurance plan. Rather, Health Advocate compliments your basic health coverage by facilitating their member’s interaction with healthcare providers and insurers.

Getting Started

• Using your new benefits. Your Health Advocate benefit will become effective on February 1, 2012.

• Informational Materials. A Health Advocate Member Booklet describing the complete menu of services and how to use them will be distributed by the Human Resources Department. As part of this welcome packet, you will receive several Wallet ID Cards with the Health Advocate toll-free number printed on each card. • A single telephone number to call. Whenever you or a family member encounters a healthcare or insurance issue, all you have to do is call Health Advocate at 1-866-695-8622 (toll free) for assistance. There is no enrollment form to complete at this time. When you call Health Advocate and require service, they will ask you to complete a Medical Information Release Form. Please be assured that all of your information will be kept strictly confidential by Health Advocate and your privacy will be protected.

Our decision to offer Health Advocate clearly relates to our interest in making certain that our employees have the best possible healthcare

Introducing a new No Cost Benefit – Health Advocate

Safety RewardsSales: Top performers for December 2011

Jeff Long Salt Lake City, Utah

Alfredo Sansores Houston, Texas

Katrina Gougis New Orleans, Louisiana

Top Sales for 2011 (January through December)

Jeff Long Salt Lake City, Utah

Beth Wyatt Shawnee, Kansas

Alfredo Sansores Houston, Texas

Jeff Long

Katrina Gougis

Alfredo Sansores

Beth Wyatt

R ecognize dangerE valuate your surroundingsP ractice before executionE ncourage and help othersA udit your actionsT ie up loose ends

Joe Shinsky – Toledo, OH

Manuel Sandoval – Field Operations

Anastacio Hernandez – Kansas City Trackwork

James White – CWR Vincente Segura – Kansas Fasteners

Daniel Contreras-Villegas – Kansas City Trackwork

David Rakestraw – CWR

Joaquin Calderon – Kansas City Trackwork

Kevin Best – Gary, IN with Carl Kurek Carlos Mendoza – Mira Loma, CA with Glenn Miller

Isai Aguirre – Kansas City Trackwork

Silverio Berber – Salt Lake Real Estate Department

Martin Conde – Kansas City Yard

Luis Abonce – Kansas City Yard

Luis Bautista – Kansas City Trackwork

Jeff Kron – Field Operations

Page 3: 3 years 2 years 24 years 6 years 8 years Paid Vacation and ...€¦ · Dept. 2 years 2 Pamela Mortensen-Eagle Lake, TX Billy Jones-Phoenix, AZ 3 years 3 ... the employee will receive

Safety goals for 2011 were set with a promise of big rewards if the goals were met. The goal: REPEAT and improve upon our 2010 performance. We wrapped up 2010 having achieved our safety goals and big prizes were awarded. You came through again making 2011 the second year in a row to complete the year with zero lost-time accidents, 15 or fewer first-aid accidents, and 25 or fewer incidents of damage to vehicles, equipment, and machinery.

On January 20, 2012, a drawing was held to select the winners of the reward money. Jeff Kron won the grand prize of $10,000! Joe Shinsky, James White, Vicente Segura, Anastacio Hernandez, David Rakestraw, Manuel Sandoval, Daniel Contreras-Villegas, Kevin Best, Joaquin Calderon, Carlos Mendoza, Luis Bautista, Luis Abonce, Martin Conde, Silverio Berber and Isai Aguirre all won $1000. In addition, all other eligible employees each received $250. This is a terrific accomplishment on the part of all employees! We are very pleased to inform you that we decided to make Health Advocate™,

a new and important benefit, available to all our employees who participate with our group medical insurance plans. Health Advocate is designed to help handle healthcare and insurance related issues by cutting through the red tape and barriers that so often create frustration and problems.

You will have an advocate on your sideWith Health Advocate, you will have your own Personal Health Advocate, a registered nurse, supported by a team of medical doctors and administrative experts. You will have the confidence in knowing that the entire Health Advocate team is working on your behalf to help and represent your needs.

Here is just a sample of the many services you will now have readily available to you with Health Advocate:

• Help finding the best doctors and hospitals and getting to see them• Help obtaining services for your elderly parents• Help scheduling timely appointments, especially with specialist physicians• Help when faced with serious illness or injury• Help with insurance claims and billing issues

One of the other unique features of Health Advocate is that your entire family will be able to use their special services. In addition to you, your spouse and children, your parents and the parents of your spouse will also be covered under this program.

About Health AdvocateHealth Advocate is a national advocacy and assistance company headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Their mission is to help individuals and organizations get the very best healthcare service. The company is managed by a team of leading healthcare and insurance experts with well over 100 years of collective experience.

It should be noted that Health Advocate does not provide health insurance or medical coverage. Their program is not a substitute for your current health insurance plan. Rather, Health Advocate compliments your basic health coverage by facilitating their member’s interaction with healthcare providers and insurers.

Getting Started

• Using your new benefits. Your Health Advocate benefit will become effective on February 1, 2012.

• Informational Materials. A Health Advocate Member Booklet describing the complete menu of services and how to use them will be distributed by the Human Resources Department. As part of this welcome packet, you will receive several Wallet ID Cards with the Health Advocate toll-free number printed on each card. • A single telephone number to call. Whenever you or a family member encounters a healthcare or insurance issue, all you have to do is call Health Advocate at 1-866-695-8622 (toll free) for assistance. There is no enrollment form to complete at this time. When you call Health Advocate and require service, they will ask you to complete a Medical Information Release Form. Please be assured that all of your information will be kept strictly confidential by Health Advocate and your privacy will be protected.

Our decision to offer Health Advocate clearly relates to our interest in making certain that our employees have the best possible healthcare

Introducing a new No Cost Benefit – Health Advocate

Safety RewardsSales: Top performers for December 2011

Jeff Long Salt Lake City, Utah

Alfredo Sansores Houston, Texas

Katrina Gougis New Orleans, Louisiana

Top Sales for 2011 (January through December)

Jeff Long Salt Lake City, Utah

Beth Wyatt Shawnee, Kansas

Alfredo Sansores Houston, Texas

Jeff Long

Katrina Gougis

Alfredo Sansores

Beth Wyatt

R ecognize dangerE valuate your surroundingsP ractice before executionE ncourage and help othersA udit your actionsT ie up loose ends

Joe Shinsky – Toledo, OH

Manuel Sandoval – Field Operations

Anastacio Hernandez – Kansas City Trackwork

James White – CWR Vincente Segura – Kansas Fasteners

Daniel Contreras-Villegas – Kansas City Trackwork

David Rakestraw – CWR

Joaquin Calderon – Kansas City Trackwork

Kevin Best – Gary, IN with Carl Kurek Carlos Mendoza – Mira Loma, CA with Glenn Miller

Isai Aguirre – Kansas City Trackwork

Silverio Berber – Salt Lake Real Estate Department

Martin Conde – Kansas City Yard

Luis Abonce – Kansas City Yard

Luis Bautista – Kansas City Trackwork

Jeff Kron – Field Operations

Page 4: 3 years 2 years 24 years 6 years 8 years Paid Vacation and ...€¦ · Dept. 2 years 2 Pamela Mortensen-Eagle Lake, TX Billy Jones-Phoenix, AZ 3 years 3 ... the employee will receive

Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.

February 2012Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Robert Marquez-Field Operations Mark Dewald-SL Real Estate Dept. 2 years

2 Pamela Mortensen-Eagle Lake, TX Billy Jones-Phoenix, AZ 3 years

3 Erbin Martinez Perez-Field Operations 2 years Gilberto Mendez Hernandez-Field Operations 2 years

4

5 Robert Overbey-Field Operations 24 years

6 Joaquin Calderon-Kansas City, KS Silverio Berber-SL Real Estate Dept. 6 years Carlos Mendoza-Mira Loma, CA 4 years

7 Portia Dempsey,-SL Real Estate Dept. 1 year

8 Kimberli Blomberg-Stockton, CA Armando Chavez-Kansas City, KS

9 Joaquin Calderon-Kansas City, KS 8 years Adrian Laguna-Kansas City, KS 5 years

10 Andy Yciano-Stockton, CA Lorenzo Villanueva.Toledo, OH Kyle Willard-Tacoma, WA Glenn Miller-Mira Loma, CA 37 years

11

12 Francisco Machuca-Kansas City, KS

13 Jessie Walker-Gary, IN Allen Vickers-Corporate Headquarters

14 15 Esteban Cecelio Ortiz-Field Operations Juan Alvarado-Kansas City, KS 1 year

16 Erbin Martinez Perez-Field Operations Christopher Rocha-Grenada Railway 1 year

17 18 Larry Bird-Gary, IN Juan Alvarado-Kansas City, KS Jonatan Victoria-Field Operations

19 Karl Renner-Kansas City, KS 24 years

20 21 Scott Mortensen-Field Operations 5 years

22 Wade Buckley-Clearfield, UT Roger Bowman-Kansas City, KS Greg Krok-New Orleans, LA 30 years Anselmo Garcia-Stockton, CA 16 years

23 24 25 Christina Okey-Phoenix, AZ Leighton Ezell-Grenada Railway Alfredo Sansores-Houston, TX

26 Casey Miller-Field Operations

27 28 Roger Mix-Field Operations Cesar Mejia-Kansas City, KS 1 year

29

Birthdays and Anniversaries for February 2012 Birthdays Anniversaries

Copyright 2012 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.

A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, “I can sleep through a storm.”

This puzzled the farmer … but he liked the young man. So he hired him.

A few weeks later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm ripping through the valley. He leapt out of bed and called for his new hired hand, but the young man was sleeping soundly.

So they quickly began to check things to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.

The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. He sees that the bales of wheat had been bound and wrapped in tarpaulins.

The tractor had been moved into its garage. The barn was properly locked tight. Even the animals were calm and had plenty of feed. All was well.

The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man’s words, “I can sleep through a storm.”

Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for any storm. So when the storm did actually break, he was not concerned or afraid. He could sleep in peace.

Can You Sleep Through the Storm?

Paid Vacation and Paid Sick LeaveTo All of our Employees:

We are currently in the process of updating our Employee Handbook. We anticipate providing you with the revised edition within the next couple of months. However, there are two important changes that took effect on January 1. 2012. We want you to have as much time as possible to take advantage of the changes being made. The modifications are being made to: assist the company in financial planning, streamline the administration of the programs, and better coordinate the use of vacation and sick leave. Therefore, please note the following summary of the new Paid Vacation and Paid Sick Leave Benefits.

Paid Vacation: Every year, beginning on January 1, 2012, [and on January 1st of every year thereafter] each employee will receive the applicable block of vacation days based on the length of time the employee has been in company service. For example, on January 1, 2012, all employees who have worked for the company for more than one (1) year and less than three (3) years received a block of five (5) vacation days. Those who been employed for three (3) to five (5) years received a block of ten (10) vacation days. Employees with more than five years of service received a block of fifteen (15) vacation days. A new employee, hired in 2011, will receive a pro rata number of days to be used in 2012.

We believe that it is important for each employee to take advantage of the benefits of vacation time. As such, any unused vacation days will be forfeited at the end of each year. However, as stated above, the employee will receive a new allotment of Paid Vacation Days on January 1, of the New Year. If an employee had surplus vacation days at the end of 2011, he/she must use them in 2012, after which time they will expire. No payment will be made for unused vacation days. The Company will modify these practices as necessary to fully comply with state or local law applicable where an employee resides. Please schedule your vacation days with your supervisor, as soon as reasonably possible.

Paid Sick Leave: Every year, beginning on January 1, 2012 (and on January 1st of each year thereafter), each employee, who has been employed for at least six (6) months, will be entitled to receive six (6) qualified days of Paid Sick Leave, consisting of eight (8) hours per day. Any unused days will expire at the end of each year, with no carryover. The employee will again be entitled to a new allotment of six (6) days on January 1, of the New Year. If an employee had more than six (6) days of Paid Sick Leave available at the end of 2011, the employee must use any such surplus of paid sick days, by the end of 2012, after which time they will expire. Of course, the employee will receive another six (6) days on January 1, 2013.

Thank you for your careful review of this new procedure. Should you have any questions, please contact Lonnie Wallace, 801-977-6308, in the Payroll Department. I appreciate all the good work you are doing to keep our Company a successful leader in our industry. Best Regards,

Rhonda Nicoloff

President

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” - John F. Kennedy

Antonio Gaytan Vargas-Field Operations 2 years

Cheryl Norton [email protected]

PO Box 30076, SLC, UT 84130801-977-6328

To Contact the Editor:Direct Line to Rhonda L. Nicoloff, President

801-244-5083