Passenger Trains > It's true. The 180 day notice on the way.

Looks like it's true. Amtrak does plan to announce the elimination of trains 1 thru 8 and The Eagle, City of New Orleans, and Cardinal. That's just about everything west of Chicago.
A usually reliable Amtrak supervisor confirmed it.

Now what this all means is another matter. How will Congress react? How much will the service cuts save? Remember many effected employees will be protected by what was once known as the New York Dock Workers Act. Now generally referred to as C2 protections. While the provisions of this income protection measure were renegotiated it still exists.

This all sounds like a new version of the every third of forth year fight over Amtrak.

It will cost them more in New York Dock than to keep the trains moving.. good thinking.

WAF Wrote:
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> It will cost them more in New York Dock than to
> keep the trains moving.. good thinking.


Could be that's the whole point.

Finally, progressively liberal trainoffs to save the useful parts of the system.

Current C-2 provisions are a gaunt shadow of former C-2 and NY Dock largesse.

IF the rumor is accurate (big IF), its an interesting choice of trains. Would seem to target the Superliner maintenance bases in NOL and CHI. Perhaps a precursor to some outsource or privatization deal? Or perhaps a way to force labor negotiations on VIA Rail-like work rule changes (i.e. single operating craft). I don't have any insider info - just speculating.

Dave

lurchdel Wrote:
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> Finally, progressively liberal trainoffs to save
> the useful parts of the system.
>
> Current C-2 provisions are a gaunt shadow of
> former C-2 and NY Dock largesse.

Most of C-2 is intact. The only major change is that the original act provided for 6 years of income protection. Now it provides up to 5. I know I've received it in the past. Employees are also required to exercise their seniority to protect their rights. But if there is no where to go.......cool.

I've heard that Amtrak has been working on a plan to out-source their Central Reservations Offices to a private contractor(s) ... supposedly over 1,000 union (TCU) jobs will be out-sourced ... a core team of Philadelphia CRO employees will be retained for various tasks.

Does that mean '7-11' accents when making reservations?
...Lorenzo

bisbeekid Wrote:
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> Looks like it's true. Amtrak does plan to announce
> the elimination of trains 1 thru 8 and The Eagle,
> City of New Orleans, and Cardinal. That's just
> about everything west of Chicago.
> A usually reliable Amtrak supervisor confirmed it.
>
>
> Now what this all means is another matter. How
> will Congress react? How much will the service
> cuts save? Remember many effected employees will
> be protected by what was once known as the New
> York Dock Workers Act. Now generally referred to
> as C2 protections. While the provisions of this
> income protection measure were renegotiated it
> still exists.
>
> This all sounds like a new version of the every
> third of forth year fight over Amtrak.

Or is this a poliical bluff to get Congress to back off last year's mandate about forced onboard food/beverage savings?

First regarding the topic title, as soon as this story is confirmed by a major newssource, there will be much to discuss around here. Let it be noted, that unlike others, I never stated that Mr. Marderosian (BNSF 1088) was incorrect; I simply stated my belief that a story of this magnitude should be withheld from discussion until properly confirmed.

Now to the labor matters addressed. New York Dock relates to job protection arising from mergers.

http://www.brs.org/PDF%20files/NYD-ANALYSIS.doc

Appendix C-2 (so named pursuant to RPSA '70) relates to job protection afforded to Amtrak employees arising from any change in Amtrak service. Technically Appendix C-2 no longer exists as it was repealed pursuant to ARAA '97. However that Act provided that the matter would be remanded to collective bargaining under the Railway Labor Act. While I am unaware of the exact disposition of the matter, it is my understanding that the parties, namely Amtrak and the Employees (through their accredited representatives) have agreed to continue the pre-existing conditions set forth by C-2.

But then, I've been away from Labor Relations matters, as well as the entire railroad industry, now over twenty five years; I would welcome an update if applicable.

lurchdel Wrote:
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> Finally, progressively liberal trainoffs to save
> the useful parts of the system.
>

Only in America, ladies and gentlemen.....only in America....

Why not Sunset instead of the Eagle? Why City of NOL for? is THe Crescent Save for Cuts. They do need one train to NOL to services the People, Cut the Cardinal and bring back the Three Rivers train 40 and 41?

567Chant Wrote:
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> Does that mean '7-11' accents when making
> reservations?
> ...Lorenzo

Geez I hope not. United Airlines does this and having a conversation with them is nearly impossible.

UAL doesn't want you to have a conversation...they want you to use the web...

railcity Wrote:
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> Why not Sunset instead of the Eagle?

The Sunset's are train nos. 1 and 2. If you reread the original post, it says that trains 1 through 8 are rumored to be cancelled.

This would make sense as 180 days (6 months) from tomorrow is December 31, but doesn't Amtrak's fiscal year start in October? If they had to have train-off's by September 30, they would have to had announced them back on May 1.

NormSchultze Wrote:
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> UAL doesn't want you to have a conversation...they
> want you to use the web...

Very true. But when I've got a round-trip ticket with only one-way used, I have to talk with a human being to get a ticket--that can't be done online. Trying to explain it to someone in India is not very fun.

Sunset is 3 days a week and the Eagle is Daily makes more money daily? What amtrak going do with Extra Viewliner sleeping cars? with Cardinal, Three Rivers, and Federal all cut where are the cars going to be use at?

Nick Wrote:
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> This would make sense as 180 days (6 months) from
> tomorrow is December 31, but doesn't Amtrak's
> fiscal year start in October? If they had to have
> train-off's by September 30, they would have to
> had announced them back on May 1.

I suspect that they can argue that the provisions of the last Amtrak bill supersede the 180 day notice. After all, if you don't have the money, how can you run the trains.

Everything is speculation now, but from a political point of view, I think that those that want Amtrak "as is" should hope for a bigger train off notice. The fewer politicians affected, the less that have to be "bought off" by some other consideration .

What an absurdly backward, anti-human country we live in. How long will we willingly pay our taxes, and willingly mortgage the futures of our children and grandchildren, to support the bloody immoral wars and the corporations that are deconstructing our home country?

The cost of ONE MONTH in Iraq would pay for Amtrak for TEN YEARS. The long distance trains are packed. Ridership is at record highs and increases annually. As the baby boomer population matures, demand for the trains will be higher than ever. The Builder, Zephyr and SW Chief could run two sections daily during the summer months and all would be well patronized.

What a sad, sad pack of corporate panderers our government has become.

-Robert