advertisement

---

On Dec. 3, Amtrak’s Beech Grove, Ind., maintenance facility workers represented by Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) initiated a strike in response to what the union calls "unlawful contracting-out of track maintenance and repair work," according to a prepared statement.

The national passenger railroad has been outsourcing basic track maintenance that typically is done by union workers, such as installing ties, and surfacing and replacing short rail sections, BMWE officials allege.

The union also claims that Amtrak did not give a 15-day notice to employees of contracted work, as specified in the railroad’s and BMWE’s collective bargaining agreement.