Announcing its creation, the coalition said: “We understand the importance of each Union`s autonomy in pursuing member-specific objectives within the framework of broad solidarity.” Washington, D.C. (August 7, 2020) – On August 5, 2020, 12 railroad unions, whose members and their families are covered by the NRC/UTU plan and the Plan Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare, filed a complaint against the country`s Class I railways in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. In accordance with the provision of the moratorium in the last national agreement, today was the first day that the airlines had the opportunity to open the next round of national negotiations and negotiate a new agreement, and they served us accordingly this morning. More than 40,000 smart TD members are involved in these national negotiations with the NCCC, and the resulting agreements often establish models for other negotiated rail contracts. We will proudly go through this round of national negotiations, not only in solidarity with BLET, but also with an unprecedented group that includes the American Train Dispatchers Association, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Machinists, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, National Conference of Firemen – Oilers/SEIU, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Transport Workers Union of America and Transport Communications Union. I look forward to joining BLET President Dennis Pierce and the leadership of the other unions in our coordinated bargaining coalition as we move forward in this process. The case was filed on October 3, 2019 by BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Grand Trunk Western, Norfolk Southern, Illinois Central, Union Pacific and Belt Railway Company of Chicago, arguing that moratoriums in the various crew-consisting agreements do not exclude airlines from the reopening of the crew. The judge, who followed the airlines` arguments and ignored any counter-attack by the union, found that any dispute over whether the moratoriums prevented reopening was a small dispute, and concluded foolishly that the union had to negotiate as it voted on whether the union should negotiate. Specifically, if the NMB were to declare a deadlock, the parties would have to consider agreeing to a binding arbitration procedure. Otherwise, the White House will have the opportunity to appoint a presidential emergency aid committee to make non-binding recommendations with built-in cooling periods before a work stoppage, meaning the public will have significant notice. To heal the wounds of their masters, these “commentators” try to do so as union officers who protect their own jobs.
They don`t know what they`re talking about, and their ignorance is evident in the web they weave. They used anonymous sources to lend credibility to a great story that everyone would know with real insight that it is far from factual. The fact is that all officers are firmly united in this new SMART-TD administration. Some railways are for limited purposes within the NCCC coalition – negotiations at the national level with a limited number of unions, or limiting participation in wages, benefits or labor rules, or a combination.