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

Download (PDF, 147KB)

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

A) Gas Mile Check computer issues have been resolved and actual checks have begun to be mailed out to Members earlier this week.

B) Our Local 60 meeting is this Saturday at 10AM in Linden at the VFW Hall adjacent to the train station. I have fielded numerous calls about the Local’s financial issues. I urge any member who has questions concerning dues refunds, insurance refunds or any other matter on money please come  to the meeting. The International Auditor will be at the meeting answering all the questions. I have no information on these accounts, they are the Local accounts not the General Committee account. Please come to the meeting and ask your questions directly to the auditor. I can not answer the question about whether your MONTHLY LOCAL DUES will go up, this is a question/answer for the meeting on Saturday.

C) The Carrier will be starting a new audit on submission of 1155 forms on a daily basis. Weekend crews along with weekday crews are required to submit the forms. Please list all mechanical defects and delays on the form and submit daily.

D) This past Monday I attended a morning meeting with Congressman Bill Pascrell in Saddlebrook. The Congressman is fully behind the effort to bring NJ Transit back to the #1 status in the nation. He has continually been by our side on issues that affect our Members.

E) Next week payroll time cards must be in box by 11:00 am Wednesday account Thanksgiving Holiday

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 Membership here is the ” HOT TOPICS” for this week.

A) Phil Murphy is the winner in the NJ Governor race and is already investigating the proper course to bring NJ Transit back to the #1 railroad in the nation. Funding and proper leadership in key positions are his top priorities. I, along with Ron Sabol NJSLD were in attendance in Asbury, on Tuesday night, for his acceptance speech.

B) The Carrier has informed me, the GAS MILE computer issue is fixed. They will be working over the weekend to process our forms and are hopeful checks will be going out on Monday.

C) On Wednesday I represented 3 of our Members at their SPECIAL BOARD of ADJUSTMENT hearings. The hearings were conducted in front of an arbitrator from the NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD. The decisions in these cases could take 120 days to be returned.

D) If you have not received a ballot as of today please call the Netcong office at 973-527-7018 to request a duplicate. If you have gotten a ballot please vote. Remember to place your return address on envelope and mail it asap.

E) There seems to be a misunderstanding about the SMART TD Green travel cards that were given out by Local 60 Treasurer Greg Taylor. The cards are to be used by the Local 60 Member when visiting other SMART TD property’s to identify yourself as a SMART TD Member. This card is not intended for any type of transportation allowance.

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

Fraternally,

Stephen J. Burkert

General Chairman

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS

THE PREPARATION OF THE BALLOTS HAS BEEN COMPLETED. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE YOUR PACKAGE OR IF THERE IS ANYTHING MISSING BY THE END OF DAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10^TH, 2017 PLEASE EMAIL THE OFFICE SECRETARY ERICA MITCHELL AT EMITCHELL@UTULOCAL60.COM OR CALL HER AT 973-527-7018.

THE PACKAGE CONTAINS A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, BALLOT INSTRUCTIONS, BALLOT, AND “A” ENVELOPE. PLEASE PLACE THE COMPLETED BALLOT MARKED WITH YOUR CHOICE OF CANDIDATE INSIDE OF THE “A” ENVELOPE, SEAL AND PLACE INSIDE OF THE STAMPED RETURN ENVELOPE. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND RETURN ADDRESS ON THE RETURN ENVELOPE ONLY. THIS IS HOW YOUR ELEGIBILITY WILL BE VERIFIED AS A CURRENT DUES PAYING MEMBER. DO NOT ADD ANY UNNECESSARY MARKINGS ON THE BALLOT OR ENVELOPES.

THE BALLOTS MUST BE PUT IN THE MAIL WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE PICKUP ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18^TH, 2017 AT 9:00 A.M.

THE BALLOTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED THE DAY OF OUR MEETING AND ELECTION WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18^TH, 2017 AT 9:00 A.M. AT VFW POST-1397 WHICH IS LOCATED AT 20 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD AVE., LINDEN, N.J. 07036. THE TELEPHONE # IS 908-862-7191.

THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STAMPER WHILE PREPPING THE BALLOTS. A LOT OF THE INNER ENVELOPES ARE MISSING SOME INFO. IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY, PLEASE USE BLACK INK TO FIX IT. IT SHOULD READ: SECRETARY LOCAL NO.0060 C/O POSTMASTER P.O. BOX 2170 LINDEN, N.J. 07036.

SECRETARY LOCAL #0060

MARC F. SUSSMAN

11/05/2017