TV just broadcast Amtrak's David Gunn fired...!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

As a UTU member based by what Gunn has said on record this yr concerning Amtrak labor, I have to say his ousting is a step in the correct direction. In a May hearing on Capitol Hill, Gunn clearly stated that he wanted to change all labor contracts, cut wages, slash benefits, cut asst condr off trains, expand runs w/only one engr in the cab, slash rr retirement for new hires, out source work currently done by Amtrk paid workers, open routes to scab non union operators and cancel the Federal Employee Liability Act and working conditions free from the Railway Labor Act. UTU has gone on record stating Gunn is the worse head of Amtrk they have ever dealt with. Gunn is the first to directly attact its dedicated work force. I want to see Amtrk suceed but changes are going to have to be made in how things are done. Messing w/a skilled and dedicated work force is not one of them. Now if we can get Mineta unemployed and out on the street, then that would be a five star slam dunk.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

QUOTE: Originally posted by TRAINMANTOM

AS FAR AS THE AMTRAK BOARD AND THE BU***EAM GO " SEND IN THE CLOWNS ,DONT BOTHER THEIR HERE"

Please don't shout Sondheim. It's a soft song.

Chris
Denver, CO

You've never heard the Dickie's doing the Punk Rock version have you?[:p]

[:o)][:o)][:o)][:o)][:o)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by sammythebull

As a UTU member based by what Gunn has said on record this yr concerning Amtrak labor, I have to say his ousting is a step in the correct direction. In a May hearing on Capitol Hill, Gunn clearly stated that he wanted to change all labor contracts, cut wages, slash benefits, cut asst condr off trains, expand runs w/only one engr in the cab, slash rr retirement for new hires, out source work currently done by Amtrk paid workers, open routes to scab non union operators and cancel the Federal Employee Liability Act and working conditions free from the Railway Labor Act. UTU has gone on record stating Gunn is the worse head of Amtrk they have ever dealt with. Gunn is the first to directly attact its dedicated work force. I want to see Amtrk suceed but changes are going to have to be made in how things are done. Messing w/a skilled and dedicated work force is not one of them. Now if we can get Mineta unemployed and out on the street, then that would be a five star slam dunk.

Sammy -

I can understand your not supporting some of the cuts Gunn proposed in labor wages, positions and benefits. I agree with you on most of those points. On one point we differ a bit. Gunn wanted to keep Amtrak together an a network, not parcel it out to private (scab) operators. That is a BIG part of why he is gone. Sadly, unless Mineta and Bush can be stopped that is exactly what will happen and that great workforce, well, perhaps a few will hang on, but that's all...

I'm not so sure getting rid of Gunn is worth a trip from his frying pan to the fire, that's all I'm saying...

LC

[Anonymous]

It sure would be nice to read a topic entitled, "Gunn Rehired, Mineta Fired, Current Amtrak Board Dismissed."

THEN we could really get down and start reshaping Amtrak into what it needs to be. Of course we have to wait till the current administration is gone. They are standing in the way of progress and having true national rail passenger service.

Our current system is better than nothing BUT, we need more service than currently offered. We need at least one more east-west train running through the middle part of the country. Currently to go east or west I must go to Chicago or San Antonio then change to a train running east-west. However, both Dems and Reps have neglected to fund Amtrak at a level where they could operate. Now maybe that is changing. However, we must keep Amtrak together and not let this administration trash it. I have ridden Amtrak and hope to do so in the future. I would much rather see my tax dollars fund Amtrak than trains in Iraq (sorry Mark).

I know this topic is nothing but politics from the gitgo but please try and keep name calling and personal attacks out so we can discuss the revelant topic.

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by sammythebull

As a UTU member based by what Gunn has said on record this yr concerning Amtrak labor, I have to say his ousting is a step in the correct direction. In a May hearing on Capitol Hill, Gunn clearly stated that he wanted to change all labor contracts, cut wages, slash benefits, cut asst condr off trains, expand runs w/only one engr in the cab, slash rr retirement for new hires, out source work currently done by Amtrk paid workers, open routes to scab non union operators and cancel the Federal Employee Liability Act and working conditions free from the Railway Labor Act. UTU has gone on record stating Gunn is the worse head of Amtrk they have ever dealt with. Gunn is the first to directly attact its dedicated work force. I want to see Amtrk suceed but changes are going to have to be made in how things are done. Messing w/a skilled and dedicated work force is not one of them. Now if we can get Mineta unemployed and out on the street, then that would be a five star slam dunk.

You really think the guy they pick to replace Gunn will be more "union friendly"?

Where you been the last 5 years?

All that Gunn proposed will come to pass, only many times worse.

With Gunn, at least you likely would keep your contract and get to negotiate. If things go the Amtrak board's way, Amtrak will be forced into bankruptcy, the courts will kill your contract and impose what ever the Amtrak board desires, you won't be able to strike over it - and there likely will be far, far fewer Amtrak trains and jobs than if Gunn was still around.

You still think firing Gunn was "a step in the right direction"?

Whew!

[Simon Reed]

From a European - but very Amtrak aware - perspective...I can't believe you did'nt see this coming.

Now I've got to save up for lots of "Last train to ..." transatlantic trips, so I suppose I'll be helping US transportation policy in the way your democratically elected representatives would approve of, by using the airlines to get to places like Oklahoma City, and Portland ME, and Grand Rapids....

The list goes on and on.....

[Modelcar]

....What was so obvious that we should have seen it coming.....? Do you mean of Mr. Gunn standing in the "way"......

[BaltACD]

Remember...AMTRAK was designed by Congress to FAIL.

Bush/Minetta believe they have a mandate to implement the 1970 Congress' wishes

Gunn was preventing that failure.

[Anonymous]

The Amtrak Board gets rid of an experinced Railroader, do they know something we don't. Is the passenger Train doomed in America?

I will keep watching from across the pond in England, look what happened to us!

[Modelcar]

....It is doomed if the leadership we have now is not stopped. Trouble is, where do we {they}, find a {railroad leader}, to carry it forward with improvements....On the other hand I suppose a railroad leader is not what they seem to want......

[Anonymous]

I am bringing this thread back. It has a good mix of pros and cons.

It also had the addys for contacting congress.

The thread I just stated about Phillips and Wrinn's comments on Gunn and this thread should compliment each other.