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| Dear Local 60 Member, I hope that you and your family are safe and doing well during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are challenging times for members, yet safety must remain first and foremost. I also want to take this time to thank our New Jersey rail, transit and bus members for your service continuing to move essential passengers and freight. We are the people that keep New Jersey and America moving.
Elections are important to us also. Due to COVID-19, voting by mail in the July 7th primary is the safest (and best) way to vote; and there is still time to request an absentee ballot. Applications must be printed and mailed to your county election official. Check the ‘ALL FUTURE ELECTIONS’ box, and automatically have a ballot sent to your home for every future election. Voting is a personal decision, so no matter which candidate you support or which party you choose; choose to vote in New Jersey’s July 7th primary. And finally, let’s be safe out there, whether at home, running essential errands or on the job! In Solidarity, Ron Sabol New Jersey State Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division |
Archives for May 2020
NJ COVID-19 Week 11 Update: Public Sector Employee Safety and Health in the Age of COVID
May 26, 2020 By
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https://njwec.salsalabs.org/week11covid19/index.html
Open Enrollment Benefit Presentation
May 21, 2020 By
COVID-19 Rule 35/Bereavement Information
May 19, 2020 By
Question posed to Labor Relations on rule 35;
We are looking for guidance on how members will be compensated for bereavement. Obviously the contractual agreement cannot be upheld, because of this COVID-19 virus. Will or are there any guidelines established for compensation pertaining to the death of family members?
Answer from Labor relations;
*Rule 35 already contains flexibility so that if there is a delay in holding funeral services (within reason−such as certain current NJ restrictions), an actively working employee may defer taking up to 3 consecutive calendar days surrounding the funeral until the later time. Usual and customary documentation to support the qualifying family relationship, time / date of funeral service must be supplied.
*Employees where were / are in inactive status (unpaid, paid Covid 100%, vacation, etc.) can likewise defer the 3 consecutive calendar days as in the above. (Since Rule 35 covers a basic day’s pay for a lost work day due to the bereavement period, the Covid pay is in lieu of bereavement pay – it would be in conflict to pay two entitlements on the same day.)
Please save all supporting documents and contact your local chairperson on steps needed to get compensation.
2020 Rail Boot/Shoe Program
May 19, 2020 By
To all Rail Employees,
Although there are many safety concerns these days; slips, trips and falls still remain a top concern. Having the proper safety shoes or boots can go a long way to prevent these injuries.
We just want to remind you all that for those who may be in need of new safety shoes or boots our vendor Saf-Gard is still open and available to purchase boots by phone or in-store.
Attached are instructions on how to order by phone as well as the 2020 list of shoes and boots that are currently available* to all Rail employees at discounted prices with one yearly $60.00 subsidy.
*Note: Please remember if you have already purchased a boot or shoe this year you will NOT be eligible for another $60.00 however all employees eligible for this program may purchase an unlimited amount of boots or shoes at the discounted prices offered through the program.
Please feel free to reply or call me if you have any questions or concerns in regards to this program.
Unfortunately due to safety concerns in regards to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the remaining Saf-Gard shoe truck stops will be postpone until further notice.
Eligible employees who are in need of purchasing new shoes/boots may still do so by calling the local branch, providing your employee ID and have them delivered to your home address.
Best regards,
Bill Feeney
Safety Programs Administrator
Office of System Safety
Work: 973.491.8945
Cell: 862.279.4727
Efax: 973.609.1978
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HEROES Relief Bill
May 18, 2020 By
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On, Friday May 15th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) by a vote of 208-199. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where unfortunately Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says that Congress needs to take a ‘pause’ on additional legislation to address the impacts of COVID-19.
“Transportation workers and their families can’t afford a pause. We can’t let perfect be the enemy of the good, and the HEROES Act is a good bill that provides immediate and additional relief to transportation workers and the industry that has been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic” National Legislative Director Greg Hynes said. “This needed legislation includes a number of hard-fought provisions that will provide financial stability to thousands and thousands of members directly and indirectly impacted by COVID-19. There must be a vote in the U.S. Senate.” HEROES Relief Bill Includes:
Here is where I need your help. This needed legislation is on ‘pause’ by Senator Mitch McConnell. And while the Senate leader has immense power as to which bills make it to the Senate calendar — if enough Senators demand a vote, a vote will occur. But this only happen if Senators hear from their constituents. |
| Fraternally, |
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| Greg Hynes National Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division |
Open Enrollment Benefit Sessions – RAIL Agreement Employees
May 16, 2020 By
RAIL Agreement employees can enroll by email to Benefits@NJTRANSIT.com with the choice of session and including “Open Enrollment Benefit Sessions – RAIL Agreement Employees” in the subject line.
NJ TRANSIT has opened another COVID-19 testing site in central Jersey.
May 16, 2020 By
NJ TRANSIT continues to expand access to COVID-19 testing for all employees, regardless of symptom status. In concert with Agile Urgent Care and Accurate Diagnostics, NJ TRANSIT has opened another COVID-19 testing site in central Jersey.
As with the American Dream and Rowan University testing sites, you must first register to be tested at njt.agileurgentcare.com
The new appointment-only site opened today, May 15th, at Fairfield Inn & Suites at 315 Davidson Avenue in Somerset, New Jersey. This site will be available to NJ TRANSIT employees on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online registration to schedule your telemedicine appointment is available now.
Rollover
May 6, 2020 By
It’s my understanding the schedule will not be changed and assignments will be re-advertised as they currently are. I asked if the assignments are going to change and I was told no, maybe minor changes here or there. The Carrier has no idea when we will go back to full service, but will follow our agreement. Let’s stay diligent with our work practice.
Jerome
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