Brothers and Sisters,

NOTE : There is no new information to report at this time(12/4/20). The update described below is the most current. Next 'Contract' meeting date is on 12/11/20. 

Just wanted to give you an update on our Contract Negotiations. To date, we have requested numerous times, that Metra produce a signed proposal, and they have not. We had a scheduled meeting on November 13, 2020 that was canceled and rescheduled for December 4, 2020. When the Dispatchers signed and ratified their agreement in June there was some concerns about the contract language in regards to Health & Welfare Monthly Contributions. When we asked Metra, flat out, if the Monthly Healthcare contributions were capped at $230 a month, they said, "Yes, they were, and what we were hearing was nothing but rumors". After our contract meeting in August, it was reiterated to us that the $230 a month was capped. We then asked, three or four times to produce a signed proposal to verify the healthcare language and if it was good, to put it out. Last month Metra sent an e-mail to us and the other crafts at Metra explaining what their stance was on the monthly healthcare contributions. Their email stated, in part, "After consulting with the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC), the NCCC has opined that the Northeast Illinois Regional Railroad Corporation (NIRC), having entered national handling on health and welfare issues, may not enter into any local agreement that would not be subject to the outcome of national negotiations regarding the nature and amount of employee healthcare contributions." This basically means that Metra will not produce a proposal with the fixed $230, as they are(in their opinion) bound by national handling on healthcare issues (including monthly contributions). A letter composed by our BRS legal counsel was sent to Metra explaining that they are bargaining in bad faith, as they have negotiated monthly contributions in 2008, 2013 and in this current round of bargaining. We asked what Metra's position is on this issue moving forward. They have not responded to the letter that was sent, and we hope to have their answer when we meet on December 4th. Metra has stalled, repeatedly, when we asked for a signed proposal, We believe their inability to deliver the $230 cap on monthly healthcare contributions is an issue that prevents us from moving forward. At this time, we feel that we can not put out a contract without knowing what we will be paying for our monthly healthcare contributions. We will continue to stand up for what is right for our members, and will keep you updated as soon as information is presented to us. As always, if you have any questions, reach out to one of your union reps.

In Unity,

The Committee