CLEVELAND, January 6 — The nation’s giant railroads have sold their friends in the Bush Administration on a scheme to tax rail workers’ rights.
Under the thin disguise of new “filing fees,” a rail worker would be forced to pay up to several hundred dollars to speak out on critical issues such as working conditions, safety, and pay.
If the big railroads can find $1 million for tickets to this year’s Super Bowl (CSX), or pay their CEO $18.7 million a year (Union Pacific), why are they trying to nickel and dime their own workers?
Trying to silence your workers is no way to run a railroad.
So what’s next, having to pay to vote?
The AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department and the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are organizing a rally to protest the proposed “filing fees.” Details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, January 11
Time: 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Instructions: Assemble at Franklin Park (K Street NW between 13th & 14th Streets; McPherson Square Metro). March to National Labor Relations Board, 14th & L (National Mediation Board to hold hearing on anti-worker proposal at 9:00 a.m.).
Media Contacts:
Michael Buckley
AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department
(202) 628-9262 or (202) 262-3854
Galen Munroe
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
(202) 624-6904 or (202) 439-7427