IBEW electricians in Delaware had always taken pride in their overhauls of hard-run Amtrak locomotives. But, in 2000, when Amtrak launched the high-speed Acela, serving passengers on the Northeast corridor, five-year overhauls were assigned to the manufacturer of the new cars, Bombardier.

In July, following months of discussions between Wilmington Local 2270, other railroad unions and Amtrak, the carrier awarded a $126 million contract to Delaware's organized shops for extensive 10-year overhauls to Acela equipment.

Local 2270 President Frank Gentry said he was "relieved" to win the contract, because it had appeared that furloughs could be announced without new work coming into the Wilmington and Bear, Del., shops. But, even more importantly, says Gentry, the Acela contract will help secure jobs over the long haul. "We can't work on conventional trains forever. High-speed trains are the way of the future, and now we can get in the door on the newest high-tech equipment."

IBEW Railroad Department Director Bill Bohné praises Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman for fulfilling a pledge to permit the union shops to bid against contractors and make their case for efficiency, productivity and quality. "This is not just a victory for Local 2270," says Bohné. "Amtrak saves money and time by keeping the work in-house."

The Wilmington shop employs 97 electricians. Eighty-seven IBEW members work in Bear. Overhauls, covering 70 train sets and power units, will be completed over the next three-and-a-half years.

"It's a big plus for Local 2270 that our members will replace nonunion workers to overhaul Amtrak's equipment, leading to greater contributions to the Railroad Retirement Fund," says the local's vice president, David Hamm.

Unions, including the IBEW, sheet metal workers, transport workers, International Association of Machinists and the American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association, lobbied the Delaware congressional delegation in support of their members gaining Acela work. They succeeded in winning $500,000 in state funds to match Amtrak's investment in a feasibility study on building a new high-speed rail facility in Wilmington. The shop would employ 500 to 1,000 outside union trades.

Gentry said he is hopeful that showcasing the union shops' expertise will not only bring back work previously contracted out, but attract new customers. Union members will staff a table at an upcoming railroad conference in New Orleans. "We'll sell our shops," says Gentry.

Staff from the state's three-person congressional delegation toured the shop July 22. Sen. Tom Carper said in a statement that "Delaware has a talented and highly skilled union work force and these workers will be supplied with good jobs for years to come."