Political Quotes

“Amtrak's most important assets are the many men and women who work hard to make sure that our Nation's rail passenger trains operate safely. The bill before us today simply is not fair to these employees. It creates a gaping hole in the law which will deprive Amtrak workers of wage protections which have been in place since the 1930's for displaced and downgraded employees. It also removes restrictions on contracting out work. This would allow Amtrak management to throw away its employees by making their jobs disappear. This provision in the bill would directly affect 706 workers in the 10th Congressional District of Indiana. Amtrak operates a maintenance shop in Beech Grove, IN, to keep its engines and passenger coaches in good running order. This bill would allow Amtrak to shut down that facility and shift maintenance to privately contracted shops outside of Indiana. The 706 workers at the Beech Grove maintenance shop deserve better than this. They are doing a good job and receive health care and other benefits. I do not believe that we should be eliminating those jobs and sending the work out of Indiana, especially the contract facilities that do not give their workers the same pay and benefits. That is why I support the LaTourette-Traficant amendment. It would restore the labor protections that exist in current law and would preserve the jobs in Beech Grove.”