In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.
A) On Monday January 8th, I was served with a subpoena, to testify in front of NJ Senators and Assembly Members. There were a wide range of topics discussed. The main topic was on NJ Transit’s failure to properly staff trains, that leave revenue uncollected and creates an unsafe condition for crews and passengers. I did reference the Airline Industry is regulated at 50:1 meaning for every 50 passengers there is a required crew member. On NJ Transit trains that have ALL Ticket Collectors are at 400:1. When there are only a Conductor and Rearbrake it is an average of 1000:1 and when NJT runs a Conductor only crew it can be as high as 2000:1. The safety of passengers and crew are paramount and by NJ Transit knowingly allowing these astronomical numbers to continue is absurd.
B) I did attend the NJ Transit Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was actually postponed after starting time due to the fact that there was no quorum of Board members in attendance. I do not know why they did not show but the assembled audience was not happy with the annulled meeting.
C) On Saturday I was with Governor Elect Phil Murphy and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla at Hoboken City Hall for a meeting on certain NJT issues. We went to Hoboken Terminal to meet crews and passengers. I along with Ron Sabol SMART TD NJSLD and Carlton Williams GC PATH escorted First Lady Tammy Murphy on the Path system to Newark Penn Station. We then took train rides on the NEC and NJCL speaking with crews and passengers. The trip ended in Bay Head where First Lady Murphy thanked SMART TD and all of the other Labor members in attendance at her rally. ( pictured is Ron Sabol, myself, First Lady Murphy and Carlton Williams at Red Bank Station)
D) I wish all Members a safe and peaceful Martin Luther King Day.
Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com
Fraternally,
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
