Severe Duty Wrote:
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> Railfanning aside, I hope the Sierra crews do get
> representation. Although the potential contract
> would most likely not be as good overall as what
> BNSF Conductors, Brakeman and Engineers work with,
> it would most likely be an improvement. I know
> that is a very broad, open-ended claim, and many
> aspects need consideration, but I strongly feel
> that driving down labor's income, benefits and
> protection is wrong.
>
> It's bad enough Hershey's closed the Oakdale plant
> and now makes the "great American chocolate bar"
> in Mexico, but BNSF crafts also lost the rest of
> the work going to Oakdale to the Sierra, and if
> the Sierra wants to expand, they can ante
> up...unlike the RPRC.
>
> Do Californians need more half-assed railroad
> jobs, or GOOD railroad jobs?
>
> You may begin the flaming immediately.


I concur! They don't have to be payed class 1 wages, but as anyone one who has worked in the rail industry knows, unions have good benefits.