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Rail Strike Averted as Amtrak, Unions Reach Tentative Deal
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Amtrak officials have argued that part of their financial problems are related to the number of unions, many of which duplicate functions. For example, the officials say three different unions are responsible for repairing air conditioners.
Union officials said Amtrak workers make far less than workers at commuter rail systems around the country.
"If the country wants a real passenger service, they are going to have to pay something for it -- they are going to have to pay workers fairly," said Joel Parker, vice president of the Transportation Communications Union, whose members repair passenger cars.
Dodd said Amtrak employees in his union make make about $19.50 per hour, with salaries of about $55,000 a year, one-third of which comes from overtime. Their job is to build and maintain tracks, bridges and electrical wires.
"Nobody is getting rich working on the railroad," he said.
Staff writers Nick Miroff and Lena H. Sun contributed to this report.
