IAM
More than 135 full-time and part-time production employees who build and repair railcars and locomotives at Alstom’s Plattsburgh, N.Y., facility have voted to join IAM, marking the first step for workers “to achieve a collective voice, fair treatment, and dignity, along with guaranteed structured benefits that an IAM collective bargaining agreement would provide,” the union reported Dec. 5. Their counterparts at Alstom’s Hornell, N.Y., facility are already represented by IAM.
The campaign to form the union at Plattsburgh took six weeks, IAM reported. “Credit goes to the exceptional organizing team, who were well-prepared, researched, and effectively communicated with coworkers, ultimately driving the campaign’s success,” IAM International Representative Joe Cicala said.
“The IAM remains committed to supporting and empowering the workforce at Alstom Transportation,” said IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division Josh Hartford. “This effort is a clear testament to the growing recognition among employees of the necessity for collective strength in advocating for their rights and interests in an evolving industry.”
In other IAM news, the union in May entered into a Voluntary Recognition Agreement with Siemens Mobility to represent employees who will build 10 seven-car “American Pioneer 220” electric trainsets for the 218-mile, $12 billion Brightline West high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California, expected to open for service in 2028. “The agreement between the IAM and Siemens Mobility establishes a fair and non-adversarial process for future employees to obtain relevant information about the benefits of union representation,” IAM said. “Once the majority of employees petition for IAM representation, Siemens Mobility will voluntarily recognize the IAM and commence bargaining immediately. Thanks to the historic investments by the Biden Administration and allies in Congress, the IAM looks forward to continuing to ensure that the growing U.S. high-speed rail network is built by union workers here at home.”
Caltrain
Caltrain is moving its headquarters from 1250 San Carlos Avenue in San Carlos to Millbrae. The regional/commuter rail operator, which provides service along the San Francisco Peninsula, through the South Bay to San Jose and Gilroy (see map, left), made the announcement on Dec. 5. It will continue to co-locate with San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), which in December 2023 acquired a new building for its headquarters at Gateway at Millbrae Station through a lease-to-purchase agreement at a cost of $126 million. When SamTrans announced the acquisition last December, it said “the site developer will pay for and complete all tenant improvements prior to move-in which are expected to take 12-15 months.” SamTrans also reported that it planned to retain ownership of its existing headquarters site in San Carlos and “will work with the city of San Carlos to identify goals and objectives for the redevelopment of the site.”
The Millbrae building is in a transit-oriented development on property owned by San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and is subject to a 99-year ground lease with BART, according to Caltrain. The property is adjacent to the Millbrae Transit Center that serves Caltrain and BART, as well as SamTrans bus routes ECR and 292.
Caltrain will be situated on the 4th floor, which covers about 26,500 square feet of the new 180,000-square-foot SamTrans headquarters. It has agreed to a 10-year lease term that will begin at the same time SamTrans begins occupying the space, with two five-year options to extend the lease.
“In March [2024], after SamTrans announced it would be vacating its San Carlos headquarters, the Caltrain organization began exploring options to lease or purchase office space near a Caltrain station,” Caltrain said. “After extensive deliberation, the Caltrain Board of Directors determined that the facilities at the new Millbrae office best meet the needs of the organization. Furthermore, the ease of access to Caltrain, BART, and SamTrans will benefit employees, potential hires, and visitors by providing an environmentally friendly, transit-rich location.”
Caltrain in September launched fully electrified service between San Francisco and San Jose after beginning a phased roll-out of its Stadler Rail-built KISS bilevel EMUs (electric multiple-units) in August. Additionally, on Nov. 26, the Caltrain Board voted to adopt a Capital Improvement Plan.
WMATA
“A gingerbread wonderland on a bright winter blue backdrop” is how WMATA is describing its latest holiday-wrapped train plus three wrapped buses that entered service Dec. 5. This year’s theme is “Treat yourself to a sweet ride this holiday season,” and WMATA said the interiors are “decked out,” too. Riders can track these “limited-edition” vehicles by visiting wmata.com/live and clicking on “special edition.” 2024 is the third time the transit agency has decorated trains and buses for the holidays.
Last month, MTA Metro-North Railroad debuted its new Holiday Lights Train. Festooned with colorful exterior lights, the Kawasaki-built M8 EMU is operating on the Hudson Line between Grand Central Terminal (GCT) and Croton-Harmon, N.Y., on the Harlem Line between GCT and Southeast, N.Y., and on the New Haven Line between GCT and New Haven, Conn. It runs on a random rotation of regularly scheduled trains on all three lines at all times of day and night, according to Metro-North.
