December 11, 2007 - Both sides in the long-running rail labor dispute filled the main hall of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., today for the opening session of the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., TCU International President Robert Scardelletti and District 19 President Joe Duncan were among labor leaders representing nearly 15,000 Amtrak workers who have been without a new contract or a general wage increase for more than eight years.
Rail unions leaders prepare to make their case at the Presidential Emergency Board hearing in Washington, DC.(Left to right) Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., TCU International President Bob Scardelletti, District 19 President Joe Duncan and TCU International Vice President Joel Parker.
The five-member PEB was announced by President Bush on November 28, 2007, suspending a 30-day countdown and triggering today’s hearings. Both sides have a day and a half to present their case to the board, which has 30-days to investigate and make recommendations to the President. After the board reports to the President, both sides have an additional 30-day cooling-off period to consider its recommendations. If no agreement is reached, the parties will be free to engage in self-help at the end of the second cooling-off period. The company can then lockout workers or impose employment terms and the union is free to strike.
“A key issue for all members is the length of time it takes to reach any agreement under the Railway Labor Act,” said GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “Eight years without a general wage increase is outrageous. We are looking forward to presenting our case to the board.”
The IAM opened bargaining with Amtrak in December 1999 as part of a 15,000 member-strong labor coalition that includes the Transportation Communications Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Transport Workers Union. The coalition partners will make a unified presentation to the PEB.
Retroactive wage increases, work rule changes and employee contributions to health care premiums are among the contentious issues. The IAM represents 500 workers at a number of Amtrak facilities.
