This is a follow up letter to all of my fellow
co-workers on Metro-North property. Since we can

go to www.mtacre.com to read and post information

regarding the true intent of ACRE, which is filling their
pockets with the memberships dues money, in what they
tell us is union work. Most of our membership has to
step back and ask themselves "What has ACRE done
for me?" Is it putting in a claim for you that you are already

entitled to by contract? Is it to get your vacation changed or to

get you a personal day? Well guess what, that's what your
$70.56 dues money pay's for. Now you get it. If you
own a home computer go to the MTA CMS system at

WWW.Nee1983.org then go into the employees section,

then into the CMS section, then login with your user ID.
Punch into the seniority list and scroll down. Look at
your union officials each and every day. Tell me how
many in a given week are off company or union business.
Scary no? Guess who is paying for all this time off?
You and I. Makes you kind of wonder. A quote from an
ACRE official "It's all about the Money" Humph
that's for sure.
   

Take the conductors and trainman's dues of $70.56 a
month. Times that by 12 months then times that number
by 736 members. Now take the engineers dues of $88.00
a month by 12 months and times that by 359 engineers.
You will get a number over 1 million dollars a year.
Ask the ACRE board for their year-end report and how
much money do we have in the Acre bank account at the
end of the year.  WOW not much somewhere in the $38
thousand range for Local Division 1 as of 2/1. Where is

all the dues money going? I want to know, don't you?

Are your personal days and vacation swaps that important

that you really don't care? I know you are all smarter that that.

Where are the checks and balances with our dues money,

when the fox is watching the hen house?  I guess the money

is now in the foxes house, don't you.

I have received many phone calls and personal
thanks for writing a letter and signing my name to it.
Most of the membership that have called or personally
spoke to me have told me they have now sent in an A-card.

For that I thank each and every one of you. This
A-card drive is the only natural way we can change
your future as a Railroad employee. If your working
now and want a future in railroading, PLEASE take the
time to at least read and ask questions about your
contract and pensions.  This letter is not a personal
attack of any ACRE official. This is business. I
myself like all of the ACRE officials and still consider
them as friends. I think all but the General
Chairman are kept in the dark about what has been
signed or negotiated away already.  The others are
good soldiers and bring the message to the
membership that they themselves don't really fully
understand.  This is unacceptable to me as a conductor
that now pay's $70.56 a month.  Let's all STOP, LOOK
and LISTEN! Form your own opinion with an open mind.
Give the A-card drive a chance and remember ACRE was
conceived by an A-card drive and not that long ago.
It's legal and can be done on Company property, but not
while performing a service for the company. Crew rooms,

parking lots, break rooms are where ACRE was formed
by A-cards.  Let's sign an A-card and let the UTU and
BLE&T debate ACRE in an open forum for all to see.  ACRE
was already challenged to a debate, but still to
this date, has not responded. WHY?

Last but not least. No ACRE official has been
appointed to the NMB (National Mediation Board),
ACRE did answer a standard questioner and are on a
panel, all other Railroads that answered are also on
this panel. So don't worry if an ACRE official will
ever know that you signed an A-card. The only way that
ACRE will know is if you tell them or one of their
supporters. I have signed my A-card and hope you will
as well. The drive is going very well now and the pace
is picking up. The deadline is June 1st. I hope you
will take the time and look at the facts. Let's STOP
the hurt Acre has put on this and other Railroads
across the country. Ask a Metro-North Coalition member,

a CSX or Amtrak employee what
they think about ACRE. Now your getting it, don't let
it be too late. Sign your A-card. THANKS.



        Conductor, Michael O'Connor
PITBULLRACING39@YAHOO.COM