Hotline #4 - October 17, 1997

Amtrak has announced that a fourth frequency of the Texas Eagle will begin early in February. It will run through San Antonio to Los Angeles, thereby creating a fourth frequency on the Sunset Limited route west of San Antonio. That will be the most service on that line since 1970, before Amtrak. The new frequency will depart Chicago Fridays starting February 6, and Los Angeles on Mondays.

A strike against Amtrak by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes is possible after 12:01 am, October 22. It is unclear whether, when, or where a strike might occur. It's possible that the only impact would be in the Northeast. Public statements that Metra would not be affected suggest that Amtrak operations also will be normal in Chicago -- except for trains to the East Coast. If there is a strike, trains that are underway likely would go through to their destinations. Passengers trying to connect to a cancelled train would be bused or flown to their destination, or -- if those on long circle trips prefer -- to their point of origin. It is unclear how much more -- if anything -- customers would have to pay to fly rather than take the bus; Amtrak is still negotiating with United Airlines on rates. Some passengers will be eligible for a full or partial refund.

Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater appeared October 15 at a news conference in Washington Union Station. He claimed to have a commitment that the BMWE would not interfere with commuter trains, but most observers do not believe that can work. BMWE apparently believes some of its workers would continue to work and get paid, while off-duty BMWE members would do the picketing and keep union members from other crafts from working and getting paid. It also supposes that Amtrak would stab itself in the back by paying BMWE workers while their union dramatically reduced the usefulness of the work being done.

Slater also revealed that the Administration sees the $2.3 billion in capital that Amtrak got in the budget agreement as a source of money to get through the strike crisis. NARP has written to Slater opposing this, and urged that pay increases beyond cost-of-living allowances be tied to productivity improvements. NARP noted that Amtrak competes with airlines and bus companies, not freight railroads, and that Amtrak workers get paid more than those at some airlines.

The House Amtrak reauthorization bill, H.R.2247, may come to the floor for a vote on October 22. Please call your Representative and ask him or her to vote for it. Passage of the bill, which passed two years ago 406-4, is essential to Amtrak's getting its capital funds.

Operations on the Florida Fun Train excursion service began October 15. Daily trains are running from Hollywood to near Kissimmee. Florida Fun Train uses Amtrak crews but owns its own equipment.

With the October 26 timetable change, Amtrak will begin requiring reservations for passengers on services from Chicago to Quincy, Carbondale, St. Louis, and Kansas City.

The Federal Railroad Administration has released a report critical of CSX safety practices. Among other things, the report finds that CSX's central dispatching center in Jacksonville is understaffed, its dispatchers not adequately familiarized with the areas they are dispatching, and the dispatchers are working excessive overtime. It also found track and roadbed problems and deteriorating communications lines along hundreds of miles of track, which impacts the effectiveness of the signal system.

Two members of the R&B singing group Total plan to sue Amtrak for $50 million, charging assault and false imprisonment. The group arrived at Washington Union Station by train on September 29 to tape a show for the Black Entertainment Television cable channel. An incident occurred while they walked through the station singing to a portable radio. An Amtrak police officer said the women and three others threatened him after he tried to arrest him. The women say the officer maced them for no reason.

The NARP staff and board are meeting in New Mexico next week -- every attempt will be made to keep the hotline updated remotely.