Presidential Emergency Board Backs Workers in Amtrak Contract Dispute

by Mike Hall, Jan 16, 2008

At the end of December, the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) appointed to investigate the long-running contract dispute between Amtrak and nine labor unions came down squarely on the side of the workers. The nearly 10,000 workers have been seeking a new contract and a general wage increase since the beginning of 2000—more than eight years.



The board’s report, submitted Dec. 30, recommends adoption of nearly all of the unions’ proposals. The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) says the PEB’s report:

is the basis for agreement. Amtrak should come to the bargaining table and reach a negotiated settlement with its unions based on the recommendations of the PEB. Rail labor has repeatedly stated its desire to settle this dispute voluntarily, without a strike.

However, under the executive order that established the PEB in November, if an agreement is not reached by Jan. 30, workers would be free to strike the national passenger railroad and Amtrak could lock out the workers or impose contact terms. Also, Congress could step in and recommend implementation of the board’s recommendations.



Negotiations have been off and on since 2000 for a new pact. Although the previous contract ran out Dec. 31, 1999, terms of contracts under the Railway Labor Act do not expire. Talks between the rail unions and Amtrak resumed this week.



The PEB’s recommendations include the wage increases proposed by the unions, full retroactive pay and no work rule changes. The PEB said the unions’ wage proposals were:

the most fair and equitable package of compensation after consideration of the relevant factors.

In rejecting Amtrak’s proposal for dramatic work rule changes—including nearly unlimited contracting out rights, schedule changes and combining jobs and crafts—the board pointed to Amtrak workers’ increased productivity.

The evidence introduced by Amtrak in support of its claimed need for these sweeping reforms was weak, at best, and with respect to many of the proposals bordered on nonexistent.

For a closer look at the PEB’s recommendations from the TTD, click here.

They would never back the workers because it's the right and fair thing to do, they have another motive.