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VIA Rail says it has deal covering all operating employees

MONTREAL – In a press release, VIA Rail, Canada’s national passenger rail service, said it has reached a settlement for a new collective bargaining agreement covering all operating employees with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

According to the press release, issued over the weekend, the new agreement "includes provisions for the implementation of VIA’s initiative to merge the positions of conductor and locomotive engineer effective July 1, 1998.

The three-year deal applies to 508 VIA employees and calls for a 2% general wage increase each year as well as a premium for the new merged position and improved benefit plans, according to VIA Rail.

VIA Rail says the agreement contain initiatives to address "the adverse effects on employees who may be impacted by the brewing initiative, including flow-back to CN, opportunities for training, early retirement and severance.

The parties have agreed that the ratification process for the collective agreement will be completed by June 26.

Majority of senators back Amtrak

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Railroad Passengers says that 52 U.S. senators have signed the Roth/Kerry letter urging the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation to approve full funding for Amtrak in the 1999 budget.

The letter has been delivered to Sen. Shelby (R-Ala.), who chairs the subcommittee.

SEPTA strike bogged down due to inaction

PHILADELPHIA – As the SEPTA strike continues in its third week, the impasse seems no nearer to resolution.

New efforts to legislate, litigate and demonstrate have had no effect on the strike that has left Philadelphia commuters stranded during the transit strike. Only Amtrak trains are taking commuters to their destinations.

City Council President John Street’s efforts for a Council-backed lawsuit to end the strike hit snags and there may be no action on it until Friday. Meanwhile, everyone from state officials to consumer activists wants to end the walkout to no avail.

SEPTA management has told Street to "go pound sand."

A TV station reported that SEPTA and TWU Local 234 did meet overnight. That was the first time face-to-face talks took place in 10 days. They met for more than 10 minutes, which was longer than their last meeting.

SEPTA’s chief negotiator said, "It’s never going to get any better. They can be out for months and the deal is not getting any better."

UP spends millions to improve Texas track

OMAHA – Union Pacific Railroad says it has spent nearly $100 million so far this year in Texas on capacity expansion, track upgrades and new facility construction.

UP has been authorized by its board to spend $223 million on capital projects in 1998 in Texas.

UP says it has preliminary plans to spend $1.4 billion over the next 5 years on projects in Texas and Louisiana.

Pregnant women killed in train crash

LOS ANGELES – A pregnant woman was killed and three people injured in the city of Industry when their sports utility vehicle collided with a freight train and was dragged 250 feet along the tracks.

The Union Pacific train was backing up when it hit the car at a rail crossing near Temple and Vineland avenues. The 26-year-old woman was 7 months pregnant, and her 3-year-old daughter was taken to the hospital.