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) Monday August 13th I attended a meeting with NJTPD and the Carrier. I was assisted in the meeting by 2 Members, one from each division, and we discussed past events that involved NJTPD and Crew-members. The meeting produced a couple of examples of where communication was lacking and further explained what NJTPD can do and what they can not do, when called to assist us. There will also be better communication on what happens after an incident either on investigation, arrest or in the court system. All UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE FORMS that involve an assault or crews alerting to unruly passenger behavior are sent to NJTPD for review the following morning. NJTPD is required to investigate and produce a document detailing what was the resolution to the UOR. All incidents that police are called for generate an “event number”, please ask the responding officer for the number or call the Chief Dispatcher or supervision and request the “event number” this will help all parties track the event. I want to thank Jesse Fitzimmons and Matt Maxwell for their insight and questions during the meeting.
B) The National Mediation Board is in the process of updating their files and cases that have not been heard yet. They asked both myself directly and the Carrier to try and clear up some cases that were older and have not been heard yet. I met with the Carrier on Tuesday and cleared some cases that were outstanding from 2013/2014. The Members whose cases were settled will be getting a letter in the mail shortly and a check to follow.
C) I met with Executive Director Corbett on Wednesday of this week. I let him know that the way our Members, myself included, found out about the possible suspension of the ACRL was unacceptable and unprofessional. He agreed it was handled very poorly and it was not their intention to slight our Local. I did discuss with him the options of our affected Members working the ACRL and the impact of a suspension would have on them. I discussed Sleep Apnea and gave him an update on how our Members should be handled differently. I produced the MISSED TRANSPORTATION FORMS that were submitted by Members for the last 15 months that totaled 250,000+ missed fares. I explained that the fares should be collected but we need to properly staff the trains and safety is the top priority for both our crews and the passengers.
D) Yesterday in Trenton I testified in the Capitol Building at a Joint Legislative Committee on behalf of our Members. I explained in full detail about the horrific assaults on our Members by passengers for no other reason than the passengers were angry at NJ Transit service. I hope to have new legislation in the coming months that will make it a MANDATORY JAIL TERM if you assault anyone in uniform working for NJ Transit. I discussed the NJ First Act which includes the residency law which is ineffective and harmful to our Members. I was assured that my efforts in the last 2 years to get rid of the law will become a reality very shortly. I discussed that NJ Transit is having a hard time filling conductor positions and then keeping those Members because of the low hourly wage compared to other neighboring railroads. I suggested that talks should happen asap to try to bring up the wages to industry standards for our Members. I explained that our roster is even more shorthanded than the engineers but due to under-staffing it is hidden. I explained that to properly staff our trains we should have a minimum of 2 crew members for every 3 coaches open, this would allow proper safety for the passengers and the fares to be collected.
E) I have been approached by the media in television, newspapers and online to try to explain and clarify what has been going on with the service at NJ Transit. I put forth the OPEN LETTER TO THE PASSENGERS to give some detailed information. The letter is posted on our website if any of your passengers are asking about a copy. I will continue to protect our Members safety at all times.
Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com
Fraternally,
Stephen J. Burkert
General Chairman
