Dr Zarkoff Wrote:
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> >I had suggested offering conductors the first
> priority to become engineers since Caltrain will
> run more frequently but I don't think they have
> the desire to battle the unions
>
> Last time I looked a the situation, whether the
> PCS operator decides to hire engineers from the
> trainmen's craft or "off the street" is up to the
> operator, not the union.

I understand that an operator can hire whoever it wants. My point was that if an operator wants the union to accept a new contract without conductors it has a better chance of being ratified if the laid off conductors have the first chance to become engineers assuming they can qualify. Those that didn't want to become engineers could be offered a generous severance package but I assume people that worked as conductors would have a better understanding of railroad rules than someone off the street.