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WASHINGTON,
D.C. - Amtrak unions representing 7,000 workers are all
expected to reject arbitration to end fruitless contract
mediation, triggering a countdown that could lead to White
House intervention to avert a possible strike, officials
said on Oct. 19, Reuters reports.
The Transportation Communications Union (TCU) and three
other labor groups turned down Thursday's (Oct. 18)
arbitration offer by the National Mediation Board. Five
other unions are expected to soon follow suit, rail
industry and labor sources said.
The nine unions, comprising about half Amtrak's
unionized workers, represent maintenance, clerical and
electrical workers. They have been in contract talks or
mediation for seven years.
Although the transportation communications group said a
walkout was unlikely after a 30-day cooling off period,
it is preparing to seek permission from its members to
call one, if necessary at some point.
What is likely, the union said, was the creation of
a special panel by the White House -- a Presidential
Emergency Board -- in late November to try and
facilitate a contract.
If no agreement is reached after that step, the
unions could call a strike early next year, or
Congress could intervene to legislate contract
terms.
"We are under no illusion about the tough
fight that lies ahead," said a TCU
statement.
Amtrak called the unions' decision to
reject arbitration "a step in a long
process" that is "designed to avoid
disruption of vital transportation
services."
The unions are bound by the Railway
Labor Act, the federal law that
governs rail and airline contract
negotiations and goes to great
lengths to discourage strikes.
Virtually all of Amtrak's 13
unions have not had a new
contract in seven years,
although their old agreements
have remained in place. Sticking
points include proposed work
rule changes and back pay. Other
unions at the railroad are not
involved in the current
mediation decision.
The escalating labor
problems come as Amtrak
continues to turn around its
business with stronger
ridership and revenues.
Amtrak also appears to be
ironing out its perpetual
funding problems with
Congress and, for the
moment, has fended off an
attempt by the Bush
administration to dismantle
its operations and privatize
a vital asset.
In 1992, the White House
intervened to facilitate
a contract between
Amtrak and several
unions. In 1997,
Congress imposed terms
on one union.
During the Bush
administration, the
White House has
intervened to stop
or prevent strikes
at several airlines,
but has not faced a
similar situation at
Amtrak.
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