I want to extend my sincere thanks to both Ranessa Greene and Pat Belardo for accepting the task of being the new trainers for the conductor program. They have a long and exemplary record working as conductors. Their real life experience will only help explain in greater detail what our job responsibilities are on a daily basis. The current students in these classes are certainly getting top notch teachers of our craft. Ranessa and Pat will begin this assignment on Monday 10/12/15. There will be a new class starting before the end of 2015. The students that had difficulty in either of the first two classes will be given the opportunity to resume their training in this new class.  I have complete faith in Pat and Ranessa’s abilities. I encourage all Members to assist them in the training of the new members of our “Local 60 family”.

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

I encourage all members to work their entire assignment this week during the time that the Pope is visiting our area. This is not the time to schedule any doctor visits or to use extra time for personal business. We at Local 60 are in a crucial time in contract negotiations and we certainly don’t want any negative press. Please do not listen to gossip in the locker rooms, it is absolutely against the law for any unauthorized activities that could be deemed a job action by the Carrier. I would prefer that all members contact the crew callers and make themselves available during their rest days, there will be an abundance of extra work.

Fraternally,

Stephen J, Burkert

General Chairman

I had previously announced in my June GC report about a trial run of this new payroll system at the MMC. The contractor is almost ready to “go active” in a very small test group of assignments. The crews that will be affected will be instructed on the new system and its capabilities prior to it going into this test operation. This test run is to see what bugs need to be worked out and discussed before the Carrier moves forward in a  large-scale effort. Once the test results are back I will be meeting with the Carrier to go over the results.  I had asked for this operational test in a proactive gesture so we could see in advance any problems that may arrive from using this system. I will keep everyone up to date with information as it becomes available.

Thank You,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

The PEB hearings concluded last week in Newark NJ. The PEB panel will provide us with their “non-binding recommendations” the week of August 17th. The process of the hearings themselves were both enlightening and intense, with long days filled statistical reports delivered by both sides. The historic all female PEB panel of Chair Wesman, member Deinhardt and member Kenis did an thorough and in depth job of asking questions and clarifying all reports put before them. The Coalition attorneys, Carmen Parcelli and Beth Roma, were outstanding in explaining in great detail our proposal to the panel. Tom Roth, who is the Coalition’s statistician, was above reproach when delivering his analysis of our financial impact review. Joel Parker, the Coalition spokesman to the PEB panel, was superb in giving the timeline on how and why we are still without a contract at this point in time. I will announce any PEB news as it becomes available in the coming weeks.

Thank You,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

I will be attending the PEB hearings in Newark NJ next week. It is anticipated that the hearings will last all week. This is the next step in the process of attaining a new collective bargaining agreement for the members of Local 60. The hearings are closed to the public and I will not be able to give anyone daily status reports. The three member panel will hear both sides of the proposals and by mid August 2015 will produce “non binding” recommendations. I will report as soon as possible on any information produced during these meetings that affects our members.

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

During the course of Summer 2015, beginning with Dover and Morrisville on July 20, the NJT C³RS Peer Review Team (PRT) will be visiting various terminals to discuss several issues that are important to all members. Since 2009, your PRT has received and analyzed over 500 reports submitted to the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). The system the PRT has been trained on, and utilizes when investigating C3RS reports, is called Multiple Cause Incident Analysis (MCIA). The word “multiple” holds special significance to us as we always find that there are multiple factors that lead to ‘close calls”. The PRT has found that two factors present themselves in almost every case we analyze and are being given special attention during this special PRT Safety Forum.

The first factor we want to discuss is “Situational Awareness”. Many definitions are used when describing situational awareness. Some call it “paying attention, some call it “keeping your head in the game”, others may describe it as “staying on the ball”. Whatever term or phrase is used, one thing is clear; this factor is the number one component of the vast majority of C3RS reports.

The PRT has taken on the challenge to find out what causes the loss of situational awareness and how to prevent it. We’ve enlisted the help of NJT’s Office of System Safety and they have reached out to a potentially great resource, Liberty Mutual Insurance. They are leaders in “risk reduction” and “situational awareness” and we are excited to see what tools, programs and suggestions they have for us in our quest to combat this very real problem.

The second factor we want to bring special attention to is “Safety Job Briefings” (SJB). The lack of a SJB, or thorough SJB, has been found as another leading factor in most C3RS reports. The PRT has taken several steps to assist in this matter including recommending dedicated SJB rooms (the first 2 of which are currently being installed in Hoboken and NYP) and also developing the helpful SJB tri-fold that has been shown to be a helpful resource not only when conducting a SJB but through the course of the workday. The PRT now is adding an additional piece to the puzzle; a “Safety Job Briefing Checklist”. We feel that the use of this checklist when conducting a SJB will prove to be a tremendous help to both new trainees and seasoned veterans alike. Conducting a SJB in a consistent, clear and professional manner will help ALL of us to become better Train and Engine Service Professionals.

We are asking all Train Crews to use the Checklist samples that are being provided to you with an open mind and report back to us after this week via email at feedback@njtc3rs.com with any comments or suggestions you have regarding the design or use of this form.

With the expansion of the C3RS program boundaries to include all Amtrak territory, the NJT PRT expressed a desire to have periodic meetings with the Amtrak-East PRT to discuss how to proceed with close calls reported by NJT members that occur on Amtrak property (all close call reports made by NJT employees are forwarded to the NJT PRT, regardless of location). To that end, NJT and Amtrak-East PRT held their inaugural meeting on Friday, June 12, 2015. More information can be found at our NJT C3rs website.