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) I attended the New Jersey Transit Board of Director’s Meeting this week. I attend the monthly meetings regularly to keep current on issues that affect our Members. I did publicly address the NJT Board this month over the issue of Lost and Found Electronic Devices. I explained that NJT has rules that we must collect lost items including phones, but in doing so it violates the FRA rules. I am working with the Carrier on revising our NJT Rule and a letter has already been sent to the FRA for their input. I will continue to keep the Members informed on this issue.
B) I was made aware that the BLE was in discussion with the Carrier about a provision in their Collective Bargaining Agreement that would affect wages. I asked the Carrier for an explanation of those discussions and their effect on SMART TD Members. This is the response from Labor Relations
“We do not have a final agreement in place yet, however, to be clear, the engineers are NOT getting a 10.4% pay increase. There is an existing rule in the BLE agreement which provides for a 10.4% pay differential between engineers and conductors. This rule has been in the Agreement since the start of NJTRO in 1983. When Conductors were afforded the Conductor certification payments in the last agreement, those conductor certification payments served to reduce the engineer-conductor differential to less than 10.4%. The “new” 15 minute straight time payment will restore the 10.4% differential, as provided in the BLE agreement.”
C) All Members, if you are having CREWCALLER ISSUES, please go to the home page of this site utulocal60.com , you will see a new tab in the header labeled crew caller issues. Please fill in the appropriate information with as much detail as possible. We will be addressing these issues with the Carrier.
D) I met with Members in NY Penn Station this week and listened to their concerns about a wide range of issues. I did discuss current events not only on our property but in Trenton. I will continue to visit different locations in the future to get feedback from the Members.
E) I have requested a meeting with the Carrier over the latest round of social media slander against our train crews. I have requested that our Customer Service Department be involved who are answering the twitter rants that are putting our Members safety in jeopardy. If the Carrier is going to validate this type of information as factual, without any investigation, I intend to protect the rights and safety of our crews.
F) Any student who is in class or who is qualifying, you are allowed to work your relief days as long as it does not interfere with your classroom hours. You must be rested to return to class or qualifying on the proper day. Please make yourself available to the crewcallers if you wish to work. If the crew callers refuse to allow you to work your relief day, see ITEM C above, fill out the form with as much detail as possible.
Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com
Fraternally,
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
