Given the seriousness of these issues and their potential implications for employee safety, it is disconcerting that our concerns have not been addressed. We strongly believe that proactive engagement in these matters is necessary to ensure the safety of Amtrak workers.

Mr. Predmore, We have a very serious safety problem that requires your immediate attention.

The Chicago Passenger Federation (CPF) representing BMWED members employed on the Chicago-based commuter railroad Metra has voted to merge with the United Passenger Rail Federation (UPRF), creating a “super system” of passenger railroad maintenance of way members. CPF General Chairman Robert Shanahan Jr.

Amtrak paid $2.3 million in executive bonuses in 2021. Talk about a hand in the fare box. Despite lower revenue and ridership, Amtrak somehow found gobs of money for the bosses. Amtrak's CEO Stephen Gardner received $293,000 in bonuses in 2021. Eight others in the 12-member leadership team received bonuses of $230,000 more. Meanwhile, the BMWED struggles with an attrition rate that robs America’s railroad of productivity.

Part of this OIG report (OIG-SP-2022-008) comments on the vibrancy of Amtrak's workforce, or lack thereof, from the top down and the bottom up. For years we’ve been commenting on the shortcomings of railroad management, both in their numbers and more specifically in their skillsets. Not only has our message finally been heard, it’s been articulated in creditable parlance that describes a weak railroad administration that may be incurable by any amount of Biden Bucks.