Passenger Trains > Amtrak ends Operation Redblock, replaced by PIER

> Brothers and Sisters,
>
> Please see below and post on all bulletin boards.
>
>
> It’s official, Operation RedBlock is no longer in existence. It has
> been replaced by the Pier Program.
>
> It is important now more than ever that we must make sure that we
> cannot come to work impaired. Please reach out and help your fellow
> coworker and if in doubt - ask. Always mark off sick rather than come
> to work impaired.
>
> Fraternally yours,
>
> Dirk A. Sampson
> General Chairman, GO-769
> SMART - Transportation Division
============================================

Amtrak message below:

Subject: FW: PIER Program Update for Labor Leaders

> As you may know, on October 1, 2017 the P.I.E.R. Program will launch
> as Amtrak’s new drug and alcohol prevention program, replacing
> Operation Redblock. P.I.E.R. stands for Prevention, Intervention,
> Education, and Resources. The program’s vision is: a holistic
> approach to drug and alcohol prevention that emphasizes that
> prevention begins where we live, learn, work and play. The program
> commitments include: commitment to safety through a drug and alcohol
> free workplace, commitment to confidentiality, commitment to
> accountability, commitment to use of best practices and commitment to
> peer participation. The PIER program was developed with a mission to
> drive healthy employee decision-making around drug and alcohol use
> through prevention, intervention, education and resources. The
> program design incorporates evidence-based strategies is designed to
> provide innovative prevention strategies that address the real-world
> drug and alcohol issues that exist for employees today.
>
> Key changes to the program will include initials calls will no longer
> be handled at CNOC. The number of mark-offs will limited to three per
> career. Every employee begins with zero mark-offs, whether or not
> they marked off in the past under the Operation RedBlock Program.
> Each time an employee marks-off they will be required to complete a
> questionnaire to assist them in determining their individual need for
> intervention, education and resources.
>
> The PIER Program will launch in three phases.

> · Phase one will include the program’s introduction to the
> organization. Beginning October 1, the number of excused mark-offs
> will be limited to three per career. All employees will begin with
> zero mark-offs.

> · Phase two will be comprised of developing a volunteer
> structure as well as a customized education program. To accomplish
> this, Amtrak is partnering with OWLS, Organizational Wellness
> Learning Systems, a program that received the Surgeon General’s Seal
> of Approval in 2016 for effectiveness in workplace prevention.

> · Phase three will include the release of the prevention
> training program.
>
> The new PIER program will be led by June’ Rogers-Hegamin, who brings
> a wealth of experience in drug and alcohol prevention programs. June’
> and her team will move forward with the program vision that
> prevention begins where we live, learn, work and play. The PIER
> Program is committed to support Amtrak’s drug and alcohol free
> workplace and committed to supporting Amtrak employees through
> prevention.
>
> To announce the new program to employees, the PIER Program Staff will
> hold a series of Town Hall Meetings. Notices of times and places will
> be sent out locally. There will also be regular communication to all
> employees through a variety of communication channels. You can also
> view the PIER Program Introduction Video at...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/17 18:14 by GenePoon.

...link to video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssp54mIlPRY&feature=youtu.be.

This link must be used...the video does not appear on a YouTube search.
Hopefully the management of TO will realize that this video does not
constitute competition with the site's own video content. It is not
a railfan video.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/17 18:19 by GenePoon.

Three mark offs per career sounds like a very low threshold for people who are struggling to overcome an addiction.

The Wall Street Journal has an article this week about the Portuguese practice of treating addiction as a medical issue. Not criminal. Takes three years, on average, to get and keep a guy clean.

That is New York Times. Or  both!!

Not a surprise, since Moorman brought a number of folks in from NS. NS did not participate in the Red Block program.

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