[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 9, 2019)]
[House]
[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.

                          ____________________