TWU’s Rail Director Testifies

TWU Railroad Division Director Gary Maslanka appeared before the Board on behalf of the JCC, and its bargaining partners TCU-BRC, IAM and IBEW to make the case that Amtrak’s work rule demands are completely unjustified and unacceptable, and to address Amtrak’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude at the bargaining table over the past eight years. Maslanka’s testimony focused particular attention on Amtrak’s proposals to assign work across craft lines -- what is called “composite mechanic” -- and Amtrak’s proposal that it have an outright, unfettered right to contract-out.

On proposed work across craft lines, Maslanka told the Board that Amtrak’s proposal is both unnecessary and ignores the unique skills of shop craft workers. “ It is also extremely important to recognize that Amtrak’s composite mechanic proposal ignores the unique training, skills, and qualifications that form the basis for craft lines in the railroad industry,” Maslanka said. “Amtrak shop craft employees require extensive function-specific training, are highly skilled, and require multiple type qualifications.”

Maslanka also rebutted the carrier’s proposal for lifting restrictions on the contracting-out of work. “ Amtrak’s demand for the essentially unfettered ability to outsource any or all of our work, even if resulting in furloughs, is truly radical and upsetting,” he testified. “Amtrak continues to demand that we, who built this company and have consistently worked to levels above and beyond to assure its survival, should give our work to vendors.”

In concluding his testimony, Maslanka criticized Amtrak’s bargaining tactics. “We greatly appreciate this opportunity to express the employees’ frustration and disappointment at Amtrak’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude during the past eight years leading to the creation of this Board,” he said. “Amtrak’s bargaining position throughout has been that unless the unions agreed to the drastic, and what we believe to be destructive work rule changes they proposed, our membership would suffer the loss of back pay.”

With the conclusion of the PEB’s hearings, the unions and Amtrak are free to continue to negotiate. In the absence of a voluntary settlement, the Board will issue its report, which is due before year’s end.