Trainman News

NMB, ICC Are Called Into PE Negotiations

LOS ANGELES— The National Mediation Board has been asked by the BRT to take part in the negotiations to reach a satisfactory agreement with Pacific Electric before the effective date of the sale of passenger facilities to Metropolitan Coach Lines.

The Brotherhood has also requested an open hearing before the Interstate Commerce Commission on the PE petition to abandon part of its rail facilities in connection with the sale.

BRT's General Chairman Don H. Sheets is acting as chairman of the joint negotiating committee of the standard labor organizations on PE system who are negotiating for a protection agreement.

While the California Public Utilities Commission has approved the sale with effective date of Aug. 24, the labor organizations have petitioned for a rehearing to stay the sale, pointing out that employes will suffer irreparable harm if the sale is completed before protection agreements are negotiated.

If the PUC does not protect the employes, an affidavit attached to the petition states, employes would be compelled to withdraw their services in order to safeguard their rights and protect the public interest, rather than go to work for the new company unprotected by agreements.

Completion of the sale would find PE's 4,700 employes split into two groups, about 2,000 of whom would remain in freight operation on PE, and the rest going over to the new passenger system.

Separate agreements are being sought for freight and for passenger service, Sheets announced.

When the separate agreements and rules are negotiated and settled, one contract will be executed with PE for freight, and one with Metropolitan Coach Lines, the new owner, for passenger operations.