CLEVELAND, November 12, 2001 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, along with the rest of labor, resoundingly condemns the decision of the Amtrak Reform Council to begin the process of liquidating Amtrak.
“This decision is an absolute disgrace,” said International President Don M. Hahs. “It is horrendous considering the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The report is extremely ill-timed.”
Hahs noted the 35 percent increase in passenger rail traffic since the September 11 attacks.
“Amtrak employees have risen to the challenge to move more passengers that ever before, safely and efficiently,” said Hahs. “Instead of standing up and applauding the employess, the ARC destroys amtrak. This was their goal from the outset.”
“Hopefully, Congress will act to override this horrible decision.”
Hahs’ statements were echoed by others in labor including AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney. On Friday, Sweeney issued a statement condemning the council’s actions.
“Today a secretive band of anti-Amtrak ideologues launched a direct attack on our nation’s rail passenger transportation system when it voted to begin a 90 day countdown to the possible liquidation of Amtrak and the destruction of 25,000 jobs,” Sweeney said. “At a time when our country’s passenger infrastructure and economic health are under attack from within and without, a bare majority of the so-called Amtrak Reform Council (ARC) conspired to put at risk the entire interstate rail passenger system.”
“Today, we urge Congress and the White House to ‘sunset’ the ARC and put it out of business in favor of a responsible debate about the future of Amtrak and our national rail passenger system. We call on working families and all supporters of Amtrak to mobilize to reverse today’s action.”