Section 6, Article V-VII, METRA Update
Brothers and Sisters,
Here’s a couple of updates on important issues within our Committee.
Section 6 Bargaining:
Union Pacific notified the Organization they will not be participating in the multi-employer bargaining coalition for the 2025 bargaining round and will be engaging directly with the General Committees. We have not received a Section 6 proposal from Union Pacific yet but anticipate seeing it soon. Once received, our first meeting may be scheduled before the end of 2024. Our Section 6 proposal is nearly complete and encompasses items submitted by the Locals.
The SMART TD General Chairpersons have requested Vice Presidents Leonard and Crest be assigned to assist throughout the bargaining process.
The Wichita Terminal and Portland Terminal Railroads are still participating in the multi-employer bargaining coalition and will be handled as they were in years past by International.
Articles V-VII Arbitration:
The arbitration date for Articles V-VII had to be rescheduled to allow all our witnesses to attend. The date is now set for January 21-23, 2025. We’re on the final draft of our submission and working on our presentation for the hearing.
We’ll be handling a lot of major issues that could greatly improve our members pay and quality of life. We’ll have an award over Articles V-VII by the end of February, Section 6 bargaining will be moving ahead in the first quarter of 2025, and our brothers and sisters working passenger service in Chicago will be transitioning to Metra in the first two quarters of 2025.
We greatly appreciate your hard work and support and as always, don’t hesitate to call with any questions.
Fraternally,
Luke Edington
General Chairperson
SMART TD GO-953
