Related Articles

IBEW and Amtrak Offered Arbitration
in Contract Dispute

October 24, 2007

After almost eight years on a train to nowhere, IBEW members can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel in their contract dispute with Amtrak. The IBEW and three other unions representing more than 4,000 workers at the railroad have rejected an offer of arbitration from the National Mediation Board and release from mediation is imminent.

“For too long, the more than 1,100 IBEW members working at Amtrak have been without a contract, while management has refused to budge an inch on certain vital issues,” said IBEW Railroad Department Director Bill Bohne.  The IBEW is negotiating in a coalition with the Transportation Communication Union, the International Association of Machinists and the Transport Workers Union. “By rejecting arbitration we are freeing ourselves to move closer to finally obtaining a contract.”

The unions have been without a contract since 2000. They hope to defend existing work rules, including subcontracting rules. They are also demanding retroactive back pay from the time of the expiration of the last contract.

Under the Railway Labor Act, the rejection of arbitration and release from mediation opens up a 30-day cooling off period. During this time negotiations and mediation may continue. Additionally, President Bush can appoint a three-person Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), which would hold hearings and issue recommendations on settling the dispute.  These recommendations are required within 30 days of the establishment of the PEB. However this 30-day limit may be extended at the request of the PEB.

Once the PEB makes its final report to the president, the parties can accept the board’s recommendations, work out a new agreement, or reject the recommendations.  The time frame for doing such is 30 days.  If at the end of the 30-day period the recommendations are rejected and no new agreement is reached, the unions would be free to strike and Amtrak free to either lock out their employees or impose new wages, rules and work conditions. Congress has the option to intervene in the dispute, either by imposing a settlement or legislating binding arbitration on the parties.

“We know we are facing a tough fight, but our members have had enough and now have the chance to fight for the contract they have so long deserved,” Bohné said.

To review the steps to negotiating a contract under the Railway Labor Act, click here...