In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) This past Monday I was in NY Penn Crew base to meet with Members and address their concerns. Gas mileage, overcrowding, understaffing, Governor Murphy’s effect on NJT and assaults were all topics that were discussed. I appreciate all of the Members who took the time to discuss these issues and I am actively working to correct the issues for the future.

B) I have received a few emails from Members about transferring into an engineer’s training program. I do have an Agreement already in place that states if for any reason you can not complete the program, your seniority would remain intact on our roster. I am waiting on further information that Members raised to be answered by the Carrier. If you are interested please send me an email at sburkert@utulocal60.com

C) I urge all Members to please list all mechanical defects on your 1155 forms. If the train is delayed without the explanation that “ door stuck open” or train “wouldn’t take power” it is being listed as Crew Error. I will not stand for anyone making unfounded or derogatory remarks against our Members but I do need information that will prove it was a mechanical defect that caused the delay. Please list also how long the defect has been reported.

D) I met this week with the Carrier about yard and passenger assignments. I have concerns about both areas and spoke about needed changes in the near future. The Carrier is under an audit from Governor Murphy in all aspects of operations including this topic. There will be no changes made until that audit is completed. The Carrier was not opposed to ideas brought to the table that concerned crew utilization and safety. I look forward to meeting again and putting some of the new ideas into fruition.

E) I met with Chief Trucillo and Deputy Chief Clark of the NJTPD this week over current events. We discussed recent events in NYC and how our CODE BLACK needs to be updated for our Members. There is a new poster being sent to local communities with restaurants or bars near our stations. This is a proactive measure to decrease assaults on our train crews. We will see an increase in police patrols onboard our passenger trains to assist in situations that require it. The matter of a NJTPD substation in NY Penn Station was also discussed and I fully support the idea. Our crews that work in that terminal welcome a police presence while boarding. It is a fact that in Hoboken where our own Police officers assist boarding late night trains the assaults and incidents have fallen dramatically.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) I met with the Carrier this week to formulate a revised OPEN DOOR POLICY that meets the safety needs of train crews. I hope to see the revised policy put in effect in the near future,

B) The Carrier is in need of engineers and has inquired if anyone from our roster would consider a change in their craft. Please email me asap if you have interest in training to be an engineer. Please include full name and employee number in a short email.  sburkert@utulocal60.com

C) If any Member is having a problem with attaining their prescription safety eyewear from a vendor, please contact me with details including Vendor name, location and date of incident. Please email me at sburkert@utulocal60.com

D) If any Member has information about sign up locations that do not have a supply of safety glasses in CLEAR or SUNGLASSES please contact me so we can advise Carrier. Email me at sburkert@utulocal60.com

E) I will be in the NY PENN STATION crew base on Monday January 22nd about 1pm. I welcome all Members, if they have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask while I visit the crew base.

F) The Gas Mileage payments are now up to late October/early November. Again please keep track of any shortages and list them on our website utulocal60.com, under the payroll shortage form. I have already spoken to the Carrier, that due to current events I will require another grace period on submission of mileage that has been short or denied. I will announce those details in the next few weeks.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) On Monday January 8th, I was served with a subpoena, to testify in front of NJ Senators and Assembly Members. There were a wide range of topics discussed. The main topic was on NJ Transit’s failure to properly staff trains, that leave revenue uncollected and creates an unsafe condition for crews and passengers. I did reference the Airline Industry is regulated at 50:1 meaning for every 50 passengers there is a required crew member. On NJ Transit trains that have ALL Ticket Collectors are at 400:1. When there are only a Conductor and Rearbrake it is an average of 1000:1 and when NJT runs a Conductor only crew it can be as high as 2000:1. The safety of passengers and crew are paramount and by NJ Transit knowingly allowing these astronomical numbers to continue is absurd.

B) I did attend the NJ Transit Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was actually postponed after starting time due to the fact that there was no quorum of Board members in attendance. I do not know why they did not show but the assembled audience was not happy with the annulled meeting.

C) On Saturday I was with Governor Elect Phil Murphy and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla at Hoboken City Hall for a meeting on certain NJT issues. We went to Hoboken Terminal to meet crews and passengers. I along with Ron Sabol SMART TD NJSLD and Carlton Williams GC PATH escorted First Lady Tammy Murphy on the Path system to Newark Penn Station. We then took train rides on the NEC and NJCL speaking with crews and passengers. The trip ended in Bay Head where First Lady Murphy thanked SMART TD and all of the other Labor members in attendance at her rally. ( pictured is Ron Sabol, myself, First Lady Murphy and Carlton Williams at Red Bank Station)

D) I wish all Members a safe and peaceful Martin Luther King Day.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

On Saturday, as part of the Inaugural 2018 celebrations, incoming First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy will be traveling across the state on NJ Transit. Please join us at the Bay Head Station at 3pm to welcome her at her final stop. We know that in Phil Murphy labor will have a governor that supports working men and women — let’s let the First Lady know that working families support her and our new governor! Please arrive early, I look forward to seeing you at the event. Thank you and travel safe.

In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) Happy New Year, try to stay warm and please be safe while clearing the snow from your homes.

B) I met with the Carrier this past week on older work issue claims that were waiting for an arbitrator from the National Mediation Board. The Carrier has agreed to pay out on some of the claims instead of waiting. Those Members will be receiving a check from the Carrier in the near future.

C) The gas mileage checks are still an issue, while progress is being made, other issues have arisen and must be fixed. I urge all Members to please keep an accurate record of what was paid or still missing. I will again be asking for an amnesty period so members can be properly compensated.

D) I have been diligent in having the Carrier address the heating issues at sign up locations when I become aware of them. Please email me as soon as possible if there is an issue at any facility that our Members use. sburkert@utulocal60.com

E) The LOCAL 60 UNION MEETING will start at 9am tomorrow at the VFW in Linden next to the train station.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) After many discussions with the Carrier over the last 3 years we have a clear equation on what is the probation period for students in the CONDUCTOR TRAINING PROGRAM. The Carrier has agreed with my suggestion and instituted a 6 month time period which begins on the first day of CTP class. So as an example, if they started class on January 1st their probation would end on July 1st.

B) I have requested an additional meeting with the Carrier concerning the payment process of GAS MILEAGE SHEETS. Due to the holidays it would appear that the meeting will take place in the second week of January so all managers are available to attend. Please review all payments from this weeks batch of payments. I foresee another GAS MILE AMNESTY PERIOD to get all Members properly paid.

C) I attended a meeting this week concerning the CTP OJT MENTOR PROGRAM. We have again made adjustments to the program in light of some mentors being moved up after being assigned students. I ask all of the Member mentors to please fill out the daily questionnaires about the students with as much information as possible. The trainers at Ferry street review the sheets and assist the CTP students where necessary.

D) I, along with Ron Sabol NJSLD, were invited to attend the monthly meeting and holiday party of SMART TD Local 1413 from PATH. (Pictured above with plaques for service.) I was invited to speak to our fellow Brothers and Sisters about political meetings that I have attended. I also spoke about our last round of Collective Bargaining and the process that was involved from Mediation to PEBs(2) and finally ratification. I want to thank General Chairman Carlton Williams for the invite and the chance to speak with his Members. PATH will be without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for 8 years this coming July. I have offered my assistance in all areas in gaining a new CBA that their Members rightfully deserve.

E) The Carrier will be making payments for CONDUCTOR CERTIFICATION as per our Collective Bargaining Agreement starting with CTP Class 16-01. The Carrier is collating all the necessary documentation and will forward to payroll for completion.  All CTP classes from 16-01 going forward, who were paid as Conductors while qualifying on the physical characteristics of the railroad will be included. This will settle all of the claims I have been submitting monthly for all of the CTP students since our last CBA was signed.

F) I will be out of the office next week for the holidays. I wish all Members a happy and safe holiday season.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) The Carrier is going to start a test program of the new electronic HOS keypads in Atlantic City this coming week with select crews. Those crews will be instructed when to report for the extra training. The extra training will be reflected in your wages above and beyond your normal assignment.

B) The Carrier has mailed out 3 new batches of GAS MILEAGE Checks to Members. Please review the accuracy of the checks and all the information.

C) The NJTPD Officers are all wearing BODY CAMERAS while on duty. The camera will capture all activity when they respond to our train crews request for assistance. The cameras record video and sound, including all conversations that take place during the interaction.

D)This past week we had a CTP new class, # 17-04, start the Conductor Training Program. I met the new class and welcomed them to our family. I explained what our job duties entail and our expectations of them.

E) I have met with the Carrier over Morrisville yard assignments and will do so again after the holidays. There will be no changes made until after the New Years Holiday, this will allow our members to rest easy about family plans already established.

F) I met with Executive Director Santoro, NJT Chief of Police Trucillo, Ron Sabol SMART TD NJSLD and Bob Lavell over the recent assaults. We will meet once a month going forward to review all incidents and get progress reports. I am going to request that NJT claims department gives a monthly report for unpaid medical bills.

G) The Carrier has informed me that they will be using the same uniform company, THIS & THAT Uniforms next year.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) After a request that I put forth to the Carrier, President Jerome Johnson, will be allowed to perform his duties as Local Chairman in the aspect of Hearings and Waiver consultations effective as of today. Brother Johnson may be dismissed as per NJT but his Union officer duties are still in effect and I made sure that the Carrier respected his elected position.

B) There are 3 new batches of gas mileage checks processed and in the mail to Members. If you have a problem with the amount of the check or any missing information please file it electronically on our Local 60 website as you would a payroll shortage.

C) I attended Labor Relations meeting this week to deal with members claims and to clean up outstanding issues. There will be claims paid, and mailed out to Members before the end of the month.

D) I was in the NY Penn Station crew base on Thanksgiving Day speaking with crews working the holiday. I met with Members in NY again on Wednesday after an appeal hearing. I listened to the members concerns and answered their questions. I want to thank the members for taking the time to speak with me and let me know what are the current issues that concern them.

E) I want to thank all of our Members from both Divisions, and other departments that assisted the RAILMEN for CHILDREN Santa Train that took place this morning. I was in Hoboken at 530AM this morning and there was already finishing touches being done to the equipment. There will be 330+ children in need, along with over 200 adult chaperones, that got to meet Santa and Mrs Claus today along with a large group of other costumed characters. Every child received the special gift that they requested from Santa. NJ Transit provided the train for this very special event. Job well done by all departments for making a child’s holiday very special.

F) This week we also made substantial progress in the Monocular Vision Acuity Testing. Matt Darby, SMART TD DLC, took a deposition from NJT Medical Review Officer at NJT HQ. This was in conjunction with the FRA process of trying to get a field test for monocular vision for our members. I will keep you informed as we go forward in this endeavor.

G) There is a Local 60 Union meeting this Sunday at the Linden VFW Hall adjacent to the station, start time is 10AM.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

In an effort to better communicate information as quickly as possible to the Local 60 Membership, here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) This past Saturday I attended the Local 60 monthly meeting in Linden. We had SMART TD Auditor Justin Fougerousse give a very detailed report on what the account balances are as of today. We had Ron Sabol NJSLD give a detailed report on election results and what will be coming in the near future. We also had SMART TD VP Doyle Turner on hand to answer questions as they arose from Members concerning multiple issues.

B) Don Albertson is the new Local 60 Treasurer, congratulations.

C) I attended an emergency meeting at NJT HQ on Monday concerning WORK PLACE VIOLENCE. The Carrier is very concerned about the uptick of incidence between employees on the property. I explained that staff shortages, overworking and overcrowding is leading to elevated stress levels. The Carrier will be on the property in the very near future to further discuss the situation.

D) I attended the MORRIS COUNTY Central Labor Council on Monday night in Parsippany. The meeting was well represented by numerous unions of all types of crafts. Nurses, police, carpenters, sheet metal and telecommunication workers were all represented. This CLC is being established for the last 4 counties in the state, Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon and Warren, to use one voice in dealing with politicians on issues that effect our unions. This CLC will also promote union members who are running for political office in these 4 counties. Once established we will work in concert with all of the other NJ CLCs in the state, for an even bigger voice on matters that are important to Union members.

E) I want to wish all Members and their families a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

Please email me feedback or suggestions, I am here for you the Members. sburkert@utulocal60.com

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

I was asked to publish the letter from SMART TD Auditor Justin Fougerousse which was discussed at Saturday’s Local meeting.

Download (PDF, 905KB)

Download (PDF, 536KB)

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman