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Railroad unions object to Santa Cruz railroad branch line contract
Author: Other Peoples Money
Date: 12-16-2011 - 10:13
Santa Cruz Sentinel Coast Lines: Dec. 15, 2011:
[www.santacruzsentinel.com]
Railroad unions object to branch line contract
A group of local railroad worker unions are objecting to a key contract in the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s acquisition of the 32mile branch line, stretching from Davenport to Watsonville.
The $14 million purchase awaits final approval from the federal Surface
Transportation Board. But the union, led by United Transportation Union Local 153, recently sent a letter to the RTC and its board members objecting to a deal with Sierra Northern to operate the freight cars over the line.
Sierra Northern already operates the line under a deal with current owner Union Pacific. It also has a 10-year deal with the RTC, signed more than a year ago, to operate the line after the county’s purchase is finalized.
Union local chairman Darin Jessup said he wants residents to know Sierra Northern is not unionized and pays lower wages than other railroads, questioning why a labor-friendly county would sign such a deal.
[www.santacruzsentinel.com]
Railroad unions object to branch line contract
A group of local railroad worker unions are objecting to a key contract in the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s acquisition of the 32mile branch line, stretching from Davenport to Watsonville.
The $14 million purchase awaits final approval from the federal Surface
Transportation Board. But the union, led by United Transportation Union Local 153, recently sent a letter to the RTC and its board members objecting to a deal with Sierra Northern to operate the freight cars over the line.
Sierra Northern already operates the line under a deal with current owner Union Pacific. It also has a 10-year deal with the RTC, signed more than a year ago, to operate the line after the county’s purchase is finalized.
Union local chairman Darin Jessup said he wants residents to know Sierra Northern is not unionized and pays lower wages than other railroads, questioning why a labor-friendly county would sign such a deal.
Railroad unions object to Santa Cruz railroad branch line contract