Citation
  • "William H. Forsythe CB&Q Railroad Seniorty Restoration Request".
Data
  • Category: Original
Photos
19430116-WilliamHForsythe-CB&QRRSeniortyRestorationRequest, January 16, 1943
Content
  • Text: Mr. C. F. Rasissen,
    415 Sunderland Bldg.,
    Omaha, Neb.

    Dear Sir,

    I respectfully request your opinion as to whether I would have a reasonable chance to have my seniorty rights as switchman in Galesburg Yard restored. I was layed off on March 8, 1932, on account of reduction in force. When Railroad business warranted on additional force, I was not given an opportunity to return to work, nor was any effort made to recall me as my address was the same as at the time of my reduction. There was no mark against my record, and no other reason except my age, which was 40 years, for not being called back when my turn came. Now, nine years later, when my age is 49, they are quite willing to hire me. I certainly haven't grown any younger in the last nine years.

    I am a member of the B. of R. T. Lodge #119, in good standing and was in good standing in Galesburg, Ill. at the time of being layed off. On Jan. 2, 1943, I was rehired as a new switchman, and am still working as such in the Burlington, Ia. Yards. I have always been a faithful employee of the Burlington Route, and remained on my job throughout the C.Y.A. trouble.

    I feel that I have been discriminated against in as much as now that the C. B. & Q. is in need of experienced switchmen, they are quite willing to rehire me. I feel that I should have been given an opportunity to come back to the C. B. & Q. and to have retained my seniortiy rights at the time that my turn showed up. If I am good enough to work for them now, I should have been good enough to have worked for them then, especially since I had given the company fifteen years of satisfactory service as switchman.

    Having spent all the 25 years from 1909 to 1932 in the faithful employment of the C. B. & Q. Railroad, it does not seem reasonable that this company, with the reputation it has for fair-play towards their employees, should ignominously take away my seniorty rights.

    Of course, it is impossible to rectify the wrong perpetrated at that time, such as financial losses due to years of unemployment, but at least it could be partially rectified by reinstating my rights at this time.

    The following is my service record:

    Galesburg, Ill

    June 13, 1909 to Aug. 1909, caller.
    Aug. 5, 1912 to Sept. 29, 1913, machinist helper.
    Oct 10, 1913 to Dec. 26, 1913, " "
    Jan, 1915 to July 1915, carpenter.
    July 12, 1915 to Aug. 15, 1917, clerk & Switchtender.
    Aug. 15, 1917, to Mar. 21, 1932, Switchman.
    Mar. 21, 1932, to Oct. 29, 1941, other than railroad employment.
    Oct. 29, 1941 to Sept. 22, 1942, switchman for C.N.&St.P.&P. in Chicago Yards
    Jan. 2, 1943 to present time, switchman for C.B.&Q. R.R. in Burlington, Ia. Yard.

    Yours truly,

    W. H. Forsythe

    321 Shields St.
    Flint Hills Manor,
    Burlington, Ia.,
    January 16, 1943
Events & Attributes
PersonClaimDateDetailAgeEvidence
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Jun 13, 1909 to Aug 17, 1909CB&Q Railroad train crew caller, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160] [S2181]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Aug 5, 1912 to Sep 29, 1913CB&Q Railroad machinist helper and drill machine operator, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160] [S2181]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Oct 10, 1913 to Dec 26, 1913CB&Q Railroad machinist helper, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160] [S2181]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Jan 1915 to Jul 1915CB&Q Railroad carpernter, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160] [S2181]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Jul 12, 1915 to Apr 15, 1917CB&Q Railroad clerk and switchtender, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160] [S2181]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Aug 15, 1917 to Apr 19, 1922CB&Q Railroad clerk, switchtender and switchman, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160] [S2181]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Apr 29, 1922 to Dec 28, 1931CB&Q Railroad switchman, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Feb 4, 1932 to Feb 6, 1932CB&Q Railroad switchman, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupationFeb 8, 1932CB&Q Railroad switchman, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupationMar 21, 1932CB&Q Railroad switchman, Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States [S1159] [S1160]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Oct 29, 1941 to Sep 22, 1942C.M.&St.P.&P. Railroad switchman, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States [S1160]
primary
William Henry ForsytheOccupation Jan 2, 1943 to Jan 16, 1943C.B.&Q Railroad switchman, Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa, United States [S1160] [S2181]
primary