Happening Now
Rail Passengers DC Office Operating Remotely
March 15, 2020
Staff Will Work Remotely, Following Health Professionals' Recommendations
D.C. Office Temporarily Closed, Staff To Telework
Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews decided Sunday to close -- temporarily -- the Association's D.C. headquarters office to staff, office volunteers and visitors as a temporary measure.
In response to the coronavirus outbreak and its rapid spread, health departments in the D.C. area are urging those who can telework to do so, and the Rail Passengers team will do its part to reduce strain on services and limit interpersonal contact.
Although the office at 1200 G St. NW, Suite 240, will be closed, the team will continue our work via cloud computing, remote tools and audio and video conferencing. Office phone calls will be redirected to staff members' personal phones during business hours only.
The restriction on staff and visitors to the office is only temporary, and we will reopen our work site as soon as is practical.
"This step was not taken lightly," said Mathews. "Mass gatherings are now prohibited in the District and in Virginia, and health professionals are recommending that people who have the ability to telework do so. Our team has been operating on 'the cloud' since 2015, and recently was able to upgrade online video- and audio-conferencing tools at no additional charge. Because the team has the ability to be productive remotely, safety and prudence dictate that we follow sound epidemiological practice and keep the staff and volunteers at home."
"The COVID Pandemic has been and continues to be the biggest challenge faced by Americans as it has taken a deadly toll on the world and on the world’s economies. During COVID Locomotive Engineers at Amtrak and other Passenger and Freight Railroads have embodied the definition of essential workers. This dedication by our members is not new. We applaud the Rail Passenger’s Association for recognizing the vital contributions of our members and their hard work moving Americans and freight during the COVID pandemic."
Dennis Pierce, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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