More cuts on LIRR

Datenail wrote:

There are just too many hands in the pool. Every ounce of excess fat must go. All those luxury arm chair paper pushing jobs need to go.
Those whom have the time but not age should be given a fair package to go. Even if it cost the MTA upfront, over time it will save them billions. And no, an offer like take 50K and walk is not considered fair.
The offer should be based on total years of service, actual age now, average earnings of last 10 years and any other necessary variable. and should be available with those with 18-20 years plus of service.

What "luxury arm chair paper pushing jobs" are you talking about? There is considerably more to running a railroad than train movement. Someone has to purchase fuel, pay suppliers, design equipment, signals and track, pay employees, etc. Paperpushers hired you Workextra and I am sure you didn't mind that they worked there too. Do you think that because you punch a hole in a ticket that you have the right to attack other peoples jobs as if they were unecessary? Son, think about your job. Your interaction with train movement is pushing a door button and punching a hole in a piece of paper. That's YOUR "moving trains". Today Workextras contribution to moving trains was pushing a button. Let's not mention punching a ticket if you didn't just decide to sit in the cab and sleep if you showed up at all. Don't forget Workextra, there are also paperpushers that have to secure subsidies and funding to pay your salary. A salary that for your skill level, is worth $10 an hour. You attack the administrative departments daily in this forum and without them you wouldn't have a job.

Datenail, That was Brilliant.

Datenail wrote:What "luxury arm chair paper pushing jobs" are you talking about?

PUBLIC AFFAIRS and the PIO OFFICE. that was easy.

LongIslandTool wrote: Yet, Tool still is pretty certain that no UTU employee will be furloughed.

i would put a lot of weight into this statement. Tool always seems to be the go to guy for inside info, If i was a betting man a hunch from Tool is about as close to sure thing as you can get.

Thanks for the trust. Unfortunately nobody knows where this will end up. The Agency does not want to reduce employees or its budget. As most government animals, the MTA wants to continue growing in size and power.

We insiders have been frustrated for decades by the abuses and waste of the socialized rail lines and many would love to see the excesses and disdain for the taxpayer slapped down to size.

But to demean one craft or another isn't route to take. Technology traditionally did and constantly does redefine employees' roles in any industry. It's been happening since the Ariel tooled down British strap rail and continues every day. Technology does not stand still.

How do you think shop employees felt when steam locomotives were retired? Their craft went from casting parts in sand to replacing parts that came out of boxes. Or how did engineers handle the transition from boiler and steam engine attendant and engineer to diesel machine operator? Or the Telegrapher who watched half his skill replaced by a telephone?

Most certainly the discussions here could have been heard back when wood coaches were replaced by steel and steam by diesel. It's just part of the business.

What is missing today is the financial incentive to operate efficiently and safely -- lost in the socialist quagmire of a tax-and-spend agency with no accountability to those paying the bills.

The old timers had it right: Whenever we took ourselves too seriously we'd be reminded that our replacement was just a phone call and two hours away.

Someone has to purchase fuel, pay suppliers, design equipment, signals and track...

It would be great if the equipment and signals were designed by railroaders again. And not some non-essential who believes color lights are easier to understand than the position lights.

Since LIRR will have to go with ACSES, you may see no signals other than MNCR's style go/ no go indications.
with no intermediate waysides.

In a most recent turn of events, the State of New York will furlough all State workers one day per week beginning later this month. The problem in implementing the Governor's plan is that most of these employees have union contracts which guarantee them a 40 hour work week. So this will wind up in the courts. While it is highly improbable that the State will prevail in abrogating the union contracts, they are going to take a try.

In not missing an opportunity, the MTA will follow suit with LIRR and other agency employees if the State is successful in finding a hack judge who permits them to disregard prior agreements that were made in good faith.

The difference is that the MTA would institute a one-day-per-week furlough on a select group of employees -- those in engine and perhaps train service.

Let's watch what road this scheme takes.

To say I was pissed is an understatement when I found out about the new $50.00 MTA surcharge when registering my truck today.

LongIslandTool wrote:In a most recent turn of events, the State of New York will furlough all State workers one day per week beginning later this month. The problem in implementing the Governor's plan is that most of these employees have union contracts which guarantee them a 40 hour work week. So this will wind up in the courts. While it is highly improbable that the State will prevail in abrogating the union contracts, they are going to take a try.

In not missing an opportunity, the MTA will follow suit with LIRR and other agency employees if the State is successful in finding a hack judge who permits them to disregard prior agreements that were made in good faith.

The difference is that the MTA would institute a one-day-per-week furlough on a select group of employees -- those in engine and perhaps train service.

Let's watch what road this scheme takes.

Tool, why are only Train and Engine service employee's subject to Furlough's and Layoffs? we never hear about signal employee's being let go or MoE or MoW or CAM's and SAM's or Track or TM's or Station Masters or ushers or ticket clerks or car inspectors or ANYONE else. not that i would support a layoff of anyone, i do NOT. it just strikes me as odd that the ONLY expendable RR employee's are the one's who actually work ON the train.

Probably because they are the easiest to identify with the public. If you tell anyone you are employed by the railroad, they automatically think you are either a conductor or an engineer. Lots of people forget the RR employs many other crafts. Often times when media such as Newsday publishes the top earners from the RR, they are either a few guys from engine service, train service, and car inspectors.

The most visible crafts to the public I'd imagine they would cut first, as stated before hand is evidence for the public to see a reduction is being made to the workforce. How many times as a commuter would you encounter a car inspector, an electrician, a sheet metal guy, or a track car driver? They all make a nice buck, but aren't as visible to the public.

Steamboat Willie wrote:Probably because they are the easiest to identify with the public. If you tell anyone you are employed by the railroad, they automatically think you are either a conductor or an engineer. Lots of people forget the RR employs many other crafts. Often times when media such as Newsday publishes the top earners from the RR, they are either a few guys from engine service, train service, and car inspectors.

The most visible crafts to the public I'd imagine they would cut first, as stated before hand is evidence for the public to see a reduction is being made to the workforce. How many times as a commuter would you encounter a car inspector, an electrician, a sheet metal guy, or a track car driver? They all make a nice buck, but aren't as visible to the public.

so it's all a charade to give the APPEARANCE of saving money, when in reality nothing will be saved. i guess this is the 'new way of doing business' by the MTA.

In a public agency that basically has a blank check and can spend nearly anything it wishes, appearance is everything. There is seldom, if ever any effort to actually cut or contain costs.

No agency with the ability to tax every vehicle owner $50 per year need be concerned about costs. Suggested by the governor yesterday is a doubling of the $50 MTA Downstate vehicle registration surcharge to $100 per year.

Heard that 17 or so engineers will hit the bricks on may 17.. so far no Trainman

Yes, the UTU lobbied very hard to retain the trainmen's positions, while the BLE did absolutely nothing for its engineers.

With today's announcement of more cuts Port Jefferson and Patchogue Stations will be closing. They will not have a ticket clerk anymore. So where will some Port Jeff and Speonk crews be able to turn in their cash??? Only a few go into Penn. The rest go to the storage yard or Long Island City. Just curious.