from Mike Reilly:

Members:   I am very pleased that Angel Soto, Patty Siano, Cookie Doyle and myself worked together to offer the below options for our members. As you know, we had some issues with our “other than passenger” members recently pertaining to ordering of items other than passenger uniforms. You will notice that a member can now choose a passenger uniform OR use $500 in credit toward the listed items (prices are also listed below). You may choose to get a passenger uniform OR the yard clothing in any one (1) year. NJT requires all 2013 orders placed by the end of November for accounting purposes. Year 2014 orders can begin in January.   These orders for the yard items can start immediately, if you did not place your 2013 order.   Also, in spring of 2014, NJT will be requiring all yard/flagman to wear some type of hi-visibility shirt or vest on while performing duty.   The number for this & That uniform is 609-646-1522.   Please assist in getting this posted.       Michael J. Reilly General Chairman – UTU/Smart

On this week’s Trainman Bulletin, will be the additional qualifications for the NY Conductor’s Extra List to include West End-Meadowlands.
 
In preparation for Super Bowl NJT is adding this qualification. Listed below are some of the provisions:
 
A) Anyone on the NY Conductors extra list between now and January 15, 2014, will be given the opportunity to qualify from West End-Meadowlands. 
 
B) Compensation will be one day’s pay. (or earnings of current assignment)
 
C) Employees will be allowed to do this qualifying on their “relief day” and earn time and one half payment.
 
D) After the Super Bowl week, the requirement for the qualification between West End & Meadowlands, will BE REMOVED from the NY Conductor’s extra list.
 
E) Maps and Study Guides for the test are available. They can be obtained in Hoboken, or any officer and myself can email them upon request.
 
F) The NJT supervisor assigned to monitor the qualifying is Trainmaster Sean Kushnir, and he can be reached at cell – 973-951-2319, office 973-863-4640 or email skushnir@njtransit.com

Traffic nightmare? Pulaski Skyway to be closed for entire weekend

Story at NJ.com

From Mike Reilly:
 
All:
 
I had discussions with A. Soto, M. Jablonskyj and L. Barone of NJT today pertaining to not filling 63 positions this past weekend. (June 14 thru June 16)
 
NJT is short of manpower which is a combination of the busy summer season with vacations and the creation of 32 assignments on the NEC due to trackwork. They want to fill these positions, however, they must protect the Conductor and Rear Brake assignments first, before the TC assignments.
 
NJT will be looking at options to protect filling all the above assignments.
 
If you desire to work your relief days, please inform the crew caller in advance. Members can apply to the supplemental list for work on their relief day(s). 
 
We don’t want to lose any assignments by not being able to fill them, and at the same time, we do not want the carrier to over hire for when times are a bit slower.
 
I understand that some members only want to work passenger, others only yard and flag  work, but if you are NOT being called for work on relief days, please let me know ASAP with the details. Please keep in mind that TC assignments will be the first to be blanked.
 
 
Thank you, 
 
Michael J Reilly
General Chairman – United Transportation Union

Starting on/about June 2nd, due to Amtrak working on NEC, low-level platforming will be performed at Metuchen, Edison and New Brunswick.   This will result in approximately 30 positions assisting passengers at these stations.   The majority of these positions will be paying approximately between 10 and 12 hours.   Details are not final yet, this is just some advance notice, and please note this is subject to  change.