Your General Chairman and LCA Local Chairpersons recently met with Michael Rubin the newly created role of “Employee Court Advocate”.

His role is to assist Rail and Bus employees through the court process when they have been assaulted while on duty, help them understand their legal rights and accompany members to court to ensure their rights are protected and prosecutors pursue appropriate charges and sentencing.

Rail Operations has also assigned STM Malik Little as the contact person on the rail side for members who have been assaulted.

The General Committee is optimistic that this will help members who have been assaulted and ensure that prosecutors are aware of the current legislation and do not plead down assault cases.

General Chairman Jerome Johnson will be in constant contact with Mr. Rubin and the GCA will meet periodically with the police department to make recommendations and receive feedback.

We are asking any member who has been assaulted and is currently navigating the court system to contact Mr. Rubin immediately.

Also that all members save these contact numbers and reach out ASAP to everyone when an assault takes place, the NJT Police will be recording all assaults and will focus attention on trains/areas that show a pattern.

Michael Rubin Employee Court Advocate

Office 973-491-8206

Cell 973-289-8984

Email mrubin@njtransit.com

Malik Little STM

Office 212-502-8015

Cell 973-885-6743

Email mlittle@njtransit.com

Jerome Johnson GC SMART-TD Local 60

Office 973-527-7018

Cell 908-294-0166

Email JJohnson@utulocal60.com

https://www.progressiverailroading.com/people/news/NJ-Transit-taps-Rubin-for-new-employee-court-advocacy-position–58022

Friends of Labor,

The Northwest Jersey Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO cordially invites you to support our efforts in representing the nearly 40,000 hardworking men and women of Morris, Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties.

Please join us for our 2^nd Annual Night at the Park to be held Wednesday September 18^th, 2019 at the Park Savoy Estate. (details attached)

Download (PDF, 121KB)

Brothers and Sisters:

Yesterday I received phone calls from members stating they received a second letter requesting re-certification of their already approved FMLA. After addressing the Carrier regarding the first letters that were sent out to members requesting recertification of their already approved FMLA, the second letter were supposed to go out to members that allegedly show a “pattern” of unauthorized use of his/her FMLA. These letters requesting members to re-certify are generic. We believe these letters are improper and in violation of the members Federally Protected FMLA. I have already requested several members to share their second letters with me. I went through several letters and the members work history and see no pattern of abuse of the members FMLA. These letters were sent out to T&E employees only, contradicting the Carrier’s assertion these letters were addressed to all “Non Agreement” and “Agreement” employees.

I ask all members who receive a second letter to please get me a copy of his/her second letter requesting recertification. We cannot and will not allow the Carrier to continue to attack our members rights, especially our rights protected by Federal Acts. I will be calling our attorney in Cleveland for legal direction on how to address this attack on our members rights.

Attached below will be a link providing information on what the Carrier can and cannot do regarding a members FMLA. This link will also describe what a member can, cannot do when one thinks his/her FMLA has been violated. I’ve been told a meeting next week will be scheduled between the Organization and the Carrier about this issue. I haven’t received a date or time as of yet, so please send these letters to me asap. Feel free to call me at 908-294-0166. A member can screen shot the letter, or email them to me at jjohnson@utulocal60.com.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=d178a2522c85f1f401ed3f3740984fed&rgn=div5&view=text&node=29:3.1.1.3.54&idno=29#se29.3.825_1308