Caltrain board approves project labor agreement for electrification

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project was unanimously approved by Caltrain's Board of Directors at the rail agency's July 2 meeting.

 

The labor pact was reached between Caltrain and the Building Trades Councils of San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, as well as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, Local 1245. Members represented by the building and trades councils will carry out the building and construction work associated with the electrification project, while IBEW Local 1245 will construct the overhead electrification systems.

By approving the PLA, the Caltrain board is assured that the electrification project will have sufficient skilled labor and that there is no work stoppages during the course of construction. To ensure these outcomes, a mechanism is established for resolving disputes between building contractors and skilled union employees in a proper manner. Before the agreement is binding, the international leadership of the trades councils must give its final sign off to the PLA, which is expected soon.

“We are very happy that Caltrain’s Board of Directors have moved forward with this important labor agreement,” said Michael Theriault, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Francisco Building and Trades Council. “The PLA will provide a vehicle to ensure that a skilled and efficient workforce will produce a quality project in a timely way. At the same time the agreement will help address goals for local businesses and resident workers to perform the project.”

Caltrain’s Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project eventually will electrify the Caltrain Corridor, from San Francisco’s 4th and King Caltrain Station to approximately the Tamien Caltrain Station in San Jose. That work includes converting the train fleet from diesel-hauled to electric-powered trains and increasing service up to six Caltrain trains per hour per direction during peak travel times.

Caltrain said when the project is completed in 2020, it will improve system performance, reduce long-term environmental and noise impacts, improve regional air quality and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. It will also allow the rail corridor to be compatible with future high-speed rail service as part of the blended system on the Peninsula

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