Passenger Trains > Amtrak Service Cuts Expected In January

http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/3e5706924b99c2e99ef1f023069802e9?s=50&d=identicon&r=GAmtrak Service Cuts Eyed for Januaryby csanders429

Amtrak now expects to announce this month if it will need to impose service reductions in the wake of crew shortages that may occur if not enough employees are vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Trains magazine reported Monday on its website that employees received a letter stating that they are expected to have received their first vaccination shot by Dec. 8 and to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4.

Amtrak has said employees who failed to meet the Jan. 4 deadline will be terminated. Those who miss the Dec. 8 deadline will be allowed to remain in service until early January before being let go if they remain unvaccinated.

Unions representing Amtrak workers have sued the passenger railroad over the issue.
Any service reductions will be detailed in mid December and become effective in January.

Amtrak has indicated service cuts may be needed on routes that lack enough operating personnel to move the trains.
As of Nov. 22, 88.2 percent of Amtrak workers have received at least one shot.

The schedule expected to be released this month will be based on vaccination status of operating personnel at that time.
The article can be read at https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-limits-track-friday-sale-service-reductions-possible-in-january-as-unions-file-suit/

Just today two state courts struck down the mandates for federal workers. Not sure though how that impacts Amtrak employees. 

I wonder how much of this employee shortage is due to vaccination mandates rather than Amtrak's over-zealous thinning of the employee ranks with buyouts, furloughs, and so forth or the desire of some employees to seek work in a predictable 8-5 environment. Some might say much of the problem resulted from poor management decisions over a year ago.

Please enlighten me if you have any solid info either way.

WP17

Pure crap to fire people over this.... stop with the facism

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