Brothers and sisters
The GCA has met with the carrier regarding sleep apnea. We have worked to reduce the oos time from 6 weeks to just under 2 weeks. The chain of events is as follows. The physician who exams you during your yearly physical will check your body mass index if it is over 35 that’s one point next, they will measure your neck size 17 inches for a male and 16 inches for a woman if you are over that is 1 point. If you are a male that’s 1 point. If your over 50 years of age that’s 1 point. If you have high blood pressure that’s 1 point. The physician will look to see if your uvula is swollen if it is that’s 1 point. Then they will ask you a series of questions every question you answer yes too is 1 point. These standards are determined by the AMA. If you are found to be a high risk the will take you oos and contact Maplewood medical. Maplewood will set up your sleep study test within 48 hours if you do not have sleep apnea then you will be returned to service and paid for all lost earnings. If you test positive, then they will send you home with a cpap machine. You must use the cpap machine for 7 nights after the 7th night you will return to the facility and a Pulmonary doctor will read the recording chip. If everything is good you you will take a Mean Wakefulness test if you pass, you will be put back in service. Anyone losing earnings for any of this process should fill out penalty timecards the GCA has tried to settle with the carrier to no avail. Therefore we will fight these claims in arbitration if necessary. Any questions contact your local chairman.
Thank You
James P. Brown
General Chairman BLET NJT