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[Pages H293-H294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMTRAK CLOSURE IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) for 5 minutes.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today because nearly 500 Amtrak
workers in Riverside are being forced to uproot their lives or lose
everything they worked so hard for, a good, stable union job that pays
them well and gives them benefits.
This nightmare scenario is born out of a sudden decision by Amtrak to
shutter its call center in Riverside in what amounts to a union-busting
maneuver to outsource jobs and replace these employees with contractors
for lower pay.
Today, I want the Amtrak CEO to hear, not from me, but from Theresa
Kolaras, an Amtrak employee in Riverside, and U.S. Army veteran, who
will be losing her job on January 18 if Amtrak moves forward with this
call center closure. And here is what Theresa had to say:
Growing up, it was my dream to serve my country. That's why
I joined the JROTC program in high school. And after 9/11, I
enlisted with the U.S. Army with hopes of making a difference
and happy to have a career. My job wasn't glamorous. I was a
Unit Support Specialist, MOS 92 Yankee. But I was proud to be
serving during a difficult time for our country.
Unfortunately, just as my platoon was readying to deploy, I
suffered successive fractures in my foot that wouldn't heal.
I was honorably discharged due to the injury and, just like
that, my dreams were cut short. At the time, nothing saddened
me more than having to watch my friends deploy without me.
Saddled with my foot that wouldn't heal, I now had to
figure out what to do with my life. Jobs were hard to find
due to having to choose ones that kept me off my feet so
much. I found many odd jobs here and there and, within a few
years, I finally started a family and continued my education.
In 2014, I was ecstatic to find out I was hired with
Amtrak, as I come from a railroad family, and was proud to
continue that tradition. Being able to work at our call
center in Riverside was a blessing for my family and me.
Amtrak's reputation for its passengers and its employees
gave me hope for a brighter future. Living in California is
nearly impossible, with its high cost of living, especially
being a single mother of two boys.
I was able to take care of my kids on the great benefits
and wages at Amtrak. My boys love the train and enjoy our
many trips we were able to take.
Now, on November 14, I got a sudden awakening as I got
notice that Amtrak would be closing our call center in
Riverside.
Amtrak reassured us employees our jobs were secure. As
months went by, Amtrak started closing stations, putting
employees out of work, and many of us in Riverside started to
worry about our jobs.
Now that feeling of worry is a reality, and we're left
wondering why Amtrak has been so dishonest.
Amtrak sent out a letter to us stating that they are not
laying us off, but we are able to go to its Philadelphia call
center.
Now, I count myself among the great majority that just
can't pick up on short notice and leave. I have small
children and share custody, and I can't legally move my kids
out of state.
I honestly have no idea where my children and I will go. We
have a month to figure out where to live, as I can't pay rent
without a job, along with this injury that I still deal with
every day.
I am one of the many employees who are at a hardship, and a
few days away from closing we still don't have any real
answers or hope that we will at least have a severance
package.
Amtrak has been quiet, and I am still in disbelief that
this was once a company that was known for its employee and
customer loyalty. Many of us loved our jobs because we were
proud of the railroad, proud to wear the name, and proud to
help our customers plan their trips.
Now, at work these last few days, I see people with despair
in their faces and loss of hope in their eyes.
I still have hope that Amtrak will wake up and realize that
the direction they are going is hurting its customers and its
employees, which are their biggest fans. This decision is
both ethically and morally wrong.
I would like to thank Theresa for allowing me to read her powerful
statement to Amtrak's CEO.
As of today, 39 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and I,
as well as Senator Feinstein and Senator Harris,
[[Page H294]]
have joined the Amtrak workers in this fight. We will do everything we
can do to fight this closure until the bitter end.
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