In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Membership here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.
A) On Wednesday I addressed the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors at their October monthly meeting. The first concern I brought to their attention was the OPEN DOOR POLICY which needs to be reevaluated based upon passenger counts and time of day of the train travel. The second concern was to remove the SENIOR/DISABLED Ticket from the NJT TVM machines to cut down on the abuse. The full text of my speech is listed on this webpage from yesterday.
B) FLAG JOBS – ALL MEMBERS must inform the Chief Dispatcher whether your assignment was COVERED SERVICE or UNCOVERED SERVICE at the end of your assignment. The Carrier will begin to list the assignment as COVERED SERVICE unless you indicate otherwise. Please comply with this instruction as it was a very long and tedious battle to get this work properly labelled again under HOS.
C) All crews who are operating on AMTRAK territory, during the low-level platform time please take note. AMTRAK locks on the gates use a #102 key, please have the correct key available to assist the passengers without causing undue delays.
D) All crews who experience a delay due to weather such as the leaves on tracks or morning ice must note it on their 1155 form. It is the same with mechanical delays, if you have a breakdown and it cause a delay list it on the 1155. WHEN YOU SUBMIT the 1155 everyday, as is required and the Carrier is checking them, if you do not list the reason for the delay it is labelled as a crew delay for unknown reasons. Please be very specific in why your train was delayed and then hand in your 1155 daily.
E) I also had multiple meetings this week with the Carrier over safety issues such as the low-level lighting at Rahway Station and other issues affecting Members. Ticket Collection onboard trains, especially on weekends, was discussed and debated on how to improve it. OJT assignments were again discussed and improvements made for better coverage.
Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com
Fraternally,
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
