Amtrak recently requested nearly $1.5 billion in supplemental funding from the federal government in fiscal 2021 to maintain “minimum service levels,” anticipating ridership will not recover to pre-pandemic levels in fiscal 2021. Amtrak also announced a reduction of up to 20 percent of its staff.
The reductions will come to about 3,700 jobs. Amtrak is using the pandemic to reduce or suspended service on many of the routes across the country with the intention of making many of them permanent. This is part of the current business model for the future of Amtrak.
They have also implemented pay reductions, voluntary furloughs and reduced benefits for employees at least through the end of the year.
William DeCarlo, TCU Vice-President and National Legislative Director said, “Amtrak did not ask for more federal aid in the HEROES Act to avert union job furloughs in October..TCU is calling on Congress to help Amtrak keep essential transportation services going in rural America, and keep thousands of our hard-working members on the job, who have been true heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. TCU will continue to fight for their jobs and benefits.”
Click here to read the full statement from TCU Vice President and National Legislative Director Bill Decarlo.
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