Amtrak 's Labor Negotiations

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

What is the status of the pay negotiations between Amtrak and its unions? Have the pay issues been settled yet, or are they in the last stages of the 30 day cooling off period?

The last I heard mediation failed so there are two 30-day windows for reaching an agreement: a 30 day cooling off period and deliberations by a presidentially appointed emergency board for another 30 days. so, absent any settlement during these periods Amtrak’s employees will be free to go on strike possible as early as February 1, 2008.

2

It could happen, as some of these empoyees, train dispatchers in particular, have not had a General Wage Increase (GWI) since 1999. However, more likely a Presidential Emergency Board will make a non-binding recomendation that will be adopted as law by Congress, ala PEB 319 in the early 90’s.