Progress Through Unity

Archives for March 2020

State of Emergency

March 21, 2020 By

Brothers and Sisters:  Attached you will see Executive Orders No. 107 & 108 enacted by Governor Murphy today.  Today is a day that we all should have seen coming.  As “Essential Employees” it’s business as usual for our members, no different from the Essential Police Officers, Emergency Responders, and Medical Professionals.  All Essential Employees have the responsibility and duty to perform the tasks of our respective crafts.  I want all of you to know we are a vital component of this states fabric. I want to thank our members for stepping up, and putting there safety and welfare at risk when providing the riding public safe transportation back and forth to and from work, school, doctors appointments and grocery stores to say the least.

Our members sacrifice is second to none.  Collectively we are bringing back the respect our craft deserves and I thank you for that.  Please be safe, use common sense.

In Solidarity,

Jerome

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Filed Under: Industry Related, Local 60 News

Coronavirus Update

March 21, 2020 By

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Filed Under: Local 60 News

Message from SMART-TD President

March 21, 2020 By

SMART TD logo

March 20, 2020

All Members — SMART Transportation Division

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

I would like to begin by recognizing those of you who, in the face of this global COVID-19 pandemic, are continuing to serve the millions of Americans who depend on us and the services we provide every day.

If not for our bus operators, passenger and transit workers, families without alternate means of transportation might not have access to basic necessities such as food, cleaning supplies and medical attention, while essential staff in urban areas might not be able to report to work. If not for our freight rail crews operating around the clock, many of the vital goods and supplies our communities and healthcare professionals so desperately need and depend on would arrive late, or perhaps not at all.

It is impossible to overstate the fact that your dedication, professionalism, and skills support the very backbone of our country during this moment of crisis. Not only do we feel a duty to provide for ourselves and our loved ones through this difficult and uncertain time, but we are bound by our moral obligation to provide essential goods and services that our nation must have to endure, and later recover, from this ordeal.

Unfortunately, we have already received confirmed reports that some of our members have tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers are with those members, and their loved ones, who have either tested positive or are in quarantine. If you or someone you know is having difficulty dealing with the stress or anxiety brought on by this virus, we want you to know that Optum has established a no-cost, 24/7, emotional support help line at 1-866-342-6892. Please share this information accordingly.

It is unconscionable that in the wake of a national emergency, some of our carriers have refused to suspend draconian attendance policies that compel us to report for duty when we, or members of our household, are symptomatic. Many of those same carriers are neglecting to provide the proper cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, and workplace sterilization that would undoubtedly save lives. Their actions, or lack thereof, are reminiscent of the railroad companies’ safety policies of more than a century ago, where they viewed such matters as the workers’ responsibility to fend for themselves, and they made the bare minimum effort by issuing stern, authoritarian warnings. We firmly believe history will not look kindly on these carriers. The good news is a few carriers are actually leading the way and setting the bar at “unbelievable levels,” as reported by Long Island Railroad General Chairperson Anthony Simon. We hope others will soon follow.

As a result of the above, and as you can see in links to correspondence provided below, we have turned to our lawmakers and regulatory agencies with authority to mandate the workplace protections we so desperately expect and deserve. In his letter dated March 11, 2020, Ronald Batory, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, claims that, “FRA has been monitoring this issue closely and confers regularly on its impacts with railroad service providers….” [emphasis added]. Further, Mr. Batory advised that… “[t]he Administration has taken a whole-of-government approach which has paved the way for a whole-of-America response….” If you find this response as abhorrent as we do, then perhaps you may join us in seeking further clarification from Mr. Batory by calling his office at (202) 493-6014.

On March 18, 2020, we made similar demands on behalf of our bus members in a letter addressed to Raymond P. Martinez, Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. While we have yet to receive a response from Mr. Martinez, it may help if we call his office at (202) 366-4000 and voice our concerns.

Our National Legislative Department, in conjunction with the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO and other rail labor Organizations, have been on Capitol Hill relentlessly demanding many of these same protections. Through this conduit, we are doing everything we can to ensure that Congress will not overlook the rail industry and its employees when legislation is introduced to provide relief to those affected by COVID-19. Likewise, our General Committees of Adjustment and State Legislative Boards have been working tirelessly to apply similar pressure to individual carriers, state and local lawmakers, and regulatory agencies.

To assist our Legislative Department and General Committees in their efforts, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your representatives. It is more important than ever to draw their attention to the fact that our employers and policymakers are relinquishing their duties to act as responsible corporate citizens and government agencies. If you are not already aware, you may find your representatives’ contact information by simply entering your address and zip code in the “Find Your Elected Officials” field at the bottom of the following webpage:

https://www.congressweb.com/SMART_Transportation/takeaction/#

In addition to the above efforts, we have participated in numerous conference calls and meetings to directly address and escalate these matters with members of management, Congress, and regulatory authorities. As you might imagine, the discourse in some of these conversations would not be appropriate for sharing verbatim. Nonetheless, you should rest assured they know exactly where we stand, and what we expect.

Now more than ever, I am honored and humbled to serve as your President. I have an immense sense of pride and respect for all of you who continue to place yourselves in harm’s way, doing what many are not capable of doing. Please accept this letter as my personal commitment that your union will not cease or slow its efforts until we procure the workplace safety and security we deserve.

As things develop, we will be posting updates to our website and social media pages, and sending email communications directly to those of you who subscribe.

With optimism that our collective perseverance and courage will guide us through this trying time, and with my sincerest gratitude for your continued support, I remain

Fraternally yours,

Jeremy R. Ferguson

President – Transportation Division

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Filed Under: Industry Related, Local 60 News

Supplement to NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations Procedures for the Administration of Represented Employees Concerning the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

March 20, 2020 By

*Make a note the Medical Department is still responsible to provide the members MD-40 to the Carrier. It is not the members responsibility*

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This is a supplement to the above-referenced document, which is attached.

An employee who have been out of work due to contacting the Coronavirus (COVID-19), caring for a family member with that virus or being quarantined because of possible exposure to this virus, should take the following steps before returning to work:

  1. Obtain a note from their personal physician stating they can resume work and have no COVID-19 related health issues.
  2. The employee then makes an appointment with NJT Medical; when they arrive for their medical visit, they present their note from their personal physician attesting to the ability to resume work.
  3. Obtain MD-40 from Medical and present same to the employee’s supervisor.

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Filed Under: Local 60 News

Contacting the Benefits Department – Labor/Unions

March 20, 2020 By

The health and safety of our employees remain NJ TRANSIT’s highest priority.

To maintain as much social distancing as possible, we request that employees call 973.378.6142 or email Benefits@njtransit.com for assistance.  If you believe that you need a face-to-face meeting, contact us and we will find a way to accommodate your request.

While the Benefits department members remain available, in order to follow best practices to protect the health and safety of the NJ TRANSIT community, please call or email.

THANK YOU!

Last Name First Name Title/Function Office E-Mail E-Fax
Pimentel Milly Associate Manager, Employee Benefits (973)378-6016 MPimentel@njtransit.com (973)863-4553
Thomas Shonta Rail & Police Benefits Clerk (973)378-6035 SRThomas@njtransit.com (201)992-9307
Littlejohn Yvette Sr. Benefits Specialist – Rail, Police & Bus Retirees (973)378-6031 YLittlejohn@njtransit.com (973)232-4830
Pearson Nathaniel Benefits Analyst – Rail, Police & Bus (973)378-6033 NPearson@njtransit.com (973)609-1798

In addition to Milly and me, any escalated issues that you may wish to forward can be sent to:

Tomasso Arie Manager, Employee Benefits (973)378-6030 Atomasso@njtransit.com (973)609-1909
Filed Under: Local 60 News

Schedule for 03/20/20 and moving forward or UFN

March 19, 2020 By

Tomorrow Friday, 03/20/2020 and until further notice NJ Transit will be operating weekend schedule.

Exceptions;

Gladstone Branch will run a modified weekend schedule, trains will run.

Atlantic City will operate a regular weekday schedule.

Crews are to report at their regular scheduled on duty time for the assignment you own on a regular day.

It does not matter if you do not work weekends sign up at your regular assigned time if your assignment works that day.

It does not matter if you work weekends if you work sign up at the regular on duty time for the day reporting.

If you are off (your assigned relief days) do not report to work, your still off.

Please continue to report as your job is advertised daily, and moving forward, until instructed otherwise.

You will work as directed by supervision or the chief dispatcher.

Please check utulocal60.com for updates

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Latest recommendations from the CDC below.

March 17, 2020 By
FROM THE DESK OF RANDALL A. KROCKA
SMOHIT Administrator
In light of the fast moving events regarding COVID-19, please review the latest recommendations from the CDC below.
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings,recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=72682eaf-ba28-492a-b1f2-da6efa6ac964&preview=true&m=1132383124210&id=preview

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Quarantine/Self-Quarantine/School Closures

March 17, 2020 By

Brothers and Sisters:  When a member is either quarantined by a medical physician, instructed to self-quarantine by a medical physician, sent home by NJ Transit supervision because a member displays symptoms of a illness that emulates the flu or Coronavirus,  or when a members is affected by their child or children’s school closure, please Mark Off in the following fashion.

Callers have been provided with markoff status codes for employees marking off for:
Quarantine/Diagnosis – Self or Family
School Closure 
 
 
Once we get the template for the timecards they will be posted on our sites.  They will also be posted at sign up locations.
 
In Solidarity,
Jerome
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Employee Message from President & CEO Kevin Corbett

March 16, 2020 By

 March 16, 2020

Dear Colleagues:

NJ TRANSIT is a vital link for our customers between work, home, shopping, medical care and more, and we are committed to ensuring our service is there for those who need it. At this time, we are continuing to operate our regular weekday service, and the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew declared by Governor Murphy in today’s Executive Order 104 will have no impact on our schedules. However, we are closely monitoring ridership, and over the coming days and weeks, will make adjustments if and when they are necessary.
Any necessary service adjustments will be immediately communicated both internally and externally to minimize their impact on NJ TRANSIT personnel and our customers.

Your health remains our highest priority. As there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid potential exposure by taking the recommended personal precautions. As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) always recommends the following everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in the trash right away.
  • If you cannot do that, cough or sneeze into your elbow to avoid contaminating your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects or surfaces.

Masks are NOT recommended for the general public. They can, however, be helpful for a sick person to prevent the spread of larger droplets during a cough or a sneeze.

Please find attached NJ TRANSIT’s “Communicable Disease in the Workplace” policy distributed last Friday; Frequently Asked Questions on Coronavirus for our Agreement Employees; and a copy of Executive Order 104 signed by Governor Murphy.

Warmly,

Kevin

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Filed Under: Local 60 News

Medical Policy

March 16, 2020 By

Brothers and Sisters: The following is in response to my inquiry regarding members having to report to Medical Services when out of service medically.

“In anticipation of the increased social distancing recommendations, Medical Services has already implemented protocol changes whereby employees can do their 30 day follow-ups via telephone interview. This practice will remain in effect until the guidelines for social distancing are lifted, at which time the existing Medical Policy guidelines will be in effect.”

 

Jerome

Filed Under: Uncategorized
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