Progress Through Unity

Archives for March 2020

Trainman’s Bulletin

Crew dispatchers are requesting that bids be sent via email to tjobs@njtransit.com If possible due to the limited access to their office.

OSA (Sleep Apnea)Update

Just an update on the OSA policy, the recent change requiring quarterly compliance has been reversed. Members affected will receive a follow up letter detailing that the previous policy (annual compliance) will be in place.

Local 60 Meeting Information

President Jerome Johnson reached out to the international president’s office regarding our monthly meetings and was instructed as follows:

Our regularly scheduled monthly union meetings are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic until further notice.  Additional communications will be posted as to when the monthly meetings will resume, or as new information becomes available.

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How COVID-19 Bill (CARES ACT) Affects TD Rail Members

How CARES Act Affects TD Rail Members

On March 27, Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law the CARES Act that provides provisions favorable to SMART Transportation Division members as the nation continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The bill provides a $2 trillion relief package to the nation as it copes with COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has killed hundreds and infected thousands of Americans.

“This bill helps to provide some short-term relief to the transportation industry that has been staggered by the coronavirus,” National Legislative Director Greg Hynes said. “In the event that carriers continue to cut workers or that employees get sick, those workers, including our members, will have extended financial protection. It also gives a financial lifeline to Amtrak as the passenger carrier’s operations have been severely curtailed by the pandemic.”

This relief bill:

  • waives the seven-day waiting period for benefits provided under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA).
  • provides an enhanced RUIA benefit of $1,200 per two-week period in addition to regular RUIA benefits.
  • extends Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) sickness and unemployment benefits by 13 weeks.
  • provides RRB $5 million in additional grant funds to administer the RUIA.
  • provides $1 billion in funding to keep Amtrak operational to prevent, prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including $492 million to the Northeast Corridor and $508 million to support its long-distance service.
  • tasks Amtrak with providing congressional reports regarding employee furloughs, if they occur.
  • provide relief checks up to $1,200 per person, $500 per child. Click here to calculate your amount.

The economic uncertainty and long-term health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic present a challenge nationally, and the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), which administers railroad sickness and unemployment benefits, is advising all railroaders to set up a RRB account. Click here to establish your account.

Due to the IT restraints and volume of contacts to the RRB, members are advised to access the RRB site from a computer, not a phone or tablet. Establishing an account gives workers a head start in the event that RRB unemployment or sick benefits are needed by RR workers in the case of carrier furloughs or illness.

Additional RRB funding and the removal of RRB benefits from the budget sequester implemented by congressional Republicans during the Obama administration may be considered in subsequent relief packages.

Brother and Sisters: Please see Carrier response and direction for media report regarding Self Quarantine for people that visited NY and return to another state.

Please see attached.

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Brothers and Sisters: Please see Department of Health Guidance for Close and Casual Contact (COVID-19)

Please see attached:

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COVID-19 Report

Your union needs reports of what is actually happening in the field.

If you are aware of an employee who has tested positive with coronavirus, or if a carrier is refusing to provide a clean and sanitized workplace as well as supplies for sanitation, please let us know by using the form below.

Submissions via this form will go to union leadership and be used as evidence to support emergency measures sought by the SMART Transportation Division in petitions to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Your identity will remain anonymous.


CDC guidelines state that employers should do the following to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  1. reduce transmission among employees,
  2. maintain healthy business operations, and
  3. maintain a healthy work environment.

As transportation workers are considered to be essential workers, even in a time of national emergency, making them exempt from stay-at-home orders issued by local, state and federal officials, it is paramount that these guidelines be followed so that the health of workers, co-workers, their families and the general public is not jeopardized by employers’ failure to follow CDC protocols.

If  CDC measures are not being followed, workers are encouraged to fill out additional details below. This information will be submitted to Vice Presidents, State Legislative Directors and General Chairpersons for resolution.

https://smart-union.org/td/covid-19-report/

NJ Transit COVID-19 Process for Notification

Brothers and Sisters please see attached.

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Schedule Information for March 23, 2020 and until further notice

Please report as your assignment is advertised we will be working as directed by supervision or the assistant chief dispatcher.

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Essential Employees

Brothers and Sisters:  Attached is a Letter from Chief Trucillo advising all Police Agencies in NJ, NY, and PA advising them our members are Essential Employees.  I would print a copy of this letter and keep on my person, or screenshot letter and save on your personal cell phone.

Stay safe and use common sense.

In solidarity,

Jerome

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