Train dispatchers
represented by the American Train Dispatchers Department
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in five
Norfolk Southern offices withdrew from service at 11:00
on Sept. 3, 1997 over a dispute involving health and
safety. Picket lines were established at the carrier's
headquarters in Atlanta, Birmingham, Greenville, South
Carolina, Knoxville and Somerset, Tennessee. These are
the office locations on the former Southern Railway and
this action did not affect other Norfolk Southern train
dispatching locations as they work under different
agreements.
In a statement explaining the action, ATDD President Les
Parmelee said, "The carrier is jeopardizing the
safety of its train dispatching employees, its other
employees and the public by using fear and intimidation
by refusing to grant its train dispatching employees sick
leave during periods of bonafide illiness. Instead, the
carrier expects its train dispatchers to work wherever
and whenever it requires without regard to the physical
ability of the employee. The carrier is embarking on a
course to repudiate the sick leave agreement and creating
a serious health and safety hazard for all train
dispatchers."
The strike action involved approximately 100 train
dispatchers on the NS (Southern) who control the movement
of trains and other rail traffic.
The Federal District Court in Anderson, South Carolina
issued a temporary restraining order at 4:00 p.m. on
Sept. 3, and the dispatchers returned to work. |
