As per SMART-TD constitution Local 60 needs to be restructured to better adhere to the constitution. This format will better reflect the structure of every other GCA in the nation and will alleviate some issues encountered by our local because we do not fit in the mold the constitution oversees.

We all have many questions and we will get support from the international in on site representation, and financially (they will pay for the election). We will face challenges implementing the plan and navigating the format but will have a better functioning local in the end.

There will be no dues increase because of this restructuring, dues will be continued to be divided as they are now a portion to GCA 610, Local 610 (this will go to your local in future), and Local 60. Any dues increase would be voted on by membership and a LCA would or could raise or lower their dues for their LCA only

Below is  the LCA information from our SMART-TD constitution and the reason we will split at the LCA level only, the GCA 610 and local 60 will remain the same.  

Download (PDF, 210KB)

Bellow is our current format and officers holding the respective positions

Download (PDF, 340KB)

The General Chairman position will remain intact and will always be voted on by all membership of Local 60

Our General Chairman has made clear that he wants to continue to work with the existing team and would like all officers now involved to remain. The positions of Vice Local Chairman and General Committee Secretary will be eliminated effective January 1, 2017. Nominations will be accepted for new positions for each new LCA there will be three LCA’s these positions will be for two years expiring December 31, 2018. Elections will be conducted and tabulated by the international, with no cost to the local

The local 60 officers will remain intact and can hold dual positions in the Local and an LCA

Hoboken Division

1 Local Chairperson, LCA-610A

1 Vice Local Chairperson, LCA-610A

1 Secretary, LCA-610A

New York Division

1 Local Chairperson, LCA-610B

1 Vice Local Chairperson, LCA-610B

1 Secretary, LCA-610B

Yard Jurisdiction

1 Local Chairperson, LCA-610C

1 Vice Local Chairperson, LCA-610C

1 Secretary, LCA-610C

Members will be assigned to an LCA where they hold assignments monthly and dues and voting will be for that LCA only

Once the members of the General Committee (i.e. Local Chairpersons from each of the 3 LCAs) are determined, they will need to elect one or more Vice General Chairpersons and a General Committee Secretary from within their ranks,(the nine new positions in the three LCA’s) as per the provisions of Article 21B, Section 82.

The Vice General Chairperson is currently Donny Albertson and this position essentially steps in to cover for the General Chairmen when he is away or not available on the property

The General Committee Secretary position will be selected for the same pool and elected by the three LCA Chairpersons

Below is a table reflecting the new format

Download (PDF, 444KB)

Hopefully this is helpful in clearing up what is happening and we are all trying to get an understanding of what the changes are and what challenges this will create, we just received this information on Friday the 28th.

http://www.utuia.org/scholarships/

http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/ntsb-releases-preliminary-report-hoboken-crash/#.WAAR0Fdn-Rc.email

By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent

New Jersey Transit’s Board of Directors offered few words on the pending federal investigation into last month’s deadly train crash in Hoboken. The agency met publicly today for the first time in four months as public scrutiny grows over the effects of NJ Transit’s diminished funding under the Christie administration and its possible role in hindering safety.

“Second question, why don’t you have a budget today? If you look back at the resolution that was passed 15 months ago, the first meeting of the new fiscal year, you have to pass an operating budget,” said Joe Clift, retired planning director for Long Island Rail Road.

The National Transportation Safety Board today releasing a preliminary report on the Hoboken crash, confirming speed was a factor and stating for the first time the train’s brakes were fully functional.

“That’s a good thing. That’s always positive, but I don’t know how that affects everything else that happened. I don’t have the whole story,” said Stephen Burkert, chairman of SMART Local 60.

But it could speak to the relevance of a positive train control system and whether it could have prevented the crash.

“We’d have to see if positive train control would actually be inside that part of that rail because you’re inside the terminal and PTC is more for the mainline trains, not inside the terminal itself,” Burkert said.

“NJ Transit is way behind the curve in this respect. It has virtually nothing going on as it relates to PTC based on the last filing with the Federal Railroad Administration. That’s unacceptable. That’s unacceptable to myself who’s brought almost $5.5 billion over the last 10 years to NJ Transit from the federal government,” said Sen. Bob Menendez.

The agency has been without a leader at the helm. Today announcing Stephen Santoro, who currently directs capital projects, will take on the role of executive director. And he’ll have plenty of work.

According to the state Department of Treasury, operating assistance has been cut by $252 million since 2012, forcing diversions from other funding sources, as well as fare hikes to make up the difference.

“It’s affected NJ Transit. We just went through five years without a contract for us because they had no money. The police department, I’m sure, has gone seven to eight years without a pay raise. You’ve had management here going nine years without a pay raise. So if you look at those positions other companies have absolutely come in here — Amtrak, Chicago, Florida. They have cherry picked every good manager you had here that they felt was good for their business, gave them pay raises. They left,” Burkert said.

“We’ve got to figure out how the state is going to start investing in rail infrastructure to alleviate not just the risk of tragedy but to really alleviate the pressure on commuters in this region,” said Sen. Cory Booker.

Some have suggested dedicating money from the pending gas tax hike that will replenish the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. And as Menendez put it today, the agency can’t continue to rely on pots of federal money to save it. A state solution is imperative. It is, after all, NJ Transit.