EMAIL DETAILS

Brian P. Gallagher
Director-Operations & Coordination
Office of the President & CEO
Amtrak
Mobile - 202-306-2481

Sent from iPhone mobile device out on Americas Railroad


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Begin forwarded message:

From: Amtrak Employee Communciations <ecom@amtrak.com<mailto:ecom@amtrak.com>>
Date: October 5, 2015 at 09:01:19 EDT
To: Brian <Brian.Gallagher@amtrak.com<mailto:Brian.Gallagher@amtrak.com>>
Subject: ATW - October 5, 2015 - Chicago Blue Ribbon Panel Report Is Released
Reply-To: Amtrak Employee Communciations <ecom@amtrak.com<mailto:ecom@amtrak.com>>

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Having trouble reading this email? View in a browser<http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=7566b10f3b1bba11827ae742d&id=9c514acd67&e=3a89fe08c4> or download a PDF to post on bulletin boards.<http://Amtrak.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7566b10f3b1bba11827ae742d&id=c5fef8dcf6&e=3a89fe08c4>
October 5, 2015


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Chicago Blue Ribbon Panel Report Is Released


A Blue Ribbon Panel appointed by Amtrak released a new report that provides recommendations to eliminate massive “Chicago Gateway” delays to passenger and freight traffic. The panel, chosen last year by Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman, reported its findings with two university and policy groups on Oct.1, in Chicago.

Top recommendations include co-located dispatchers, improved operating practices and projects to prevent $800 billion in impacts from rail gridlock, and funding for priority projects already identified in Northern Illinois and Indiana. The panel released a study it commissioned that shows the Chicago congestion problem creates an economic vulnerability of up to $799 billion every year, impacting key industries constituting 85 percent of U.S. domestic product.

More details about these findings—including the panel’s full report, the study it commissioned from Frost & Sullivan and MSY Analytics, animations showing the benefits of various projects and a video overview are posted at Amtrak.com/ChicagoGateway.<http://Amtrak.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7566b10f3b1bba11827ae742d&id=f1781b20c8&e=3a89fe08c4>


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Five Things To Know About Pay for Performance at Amtrak

1. Pay for Performance recognizes and rewards non-agreement employees for achieving their individual (SMART) goals, demonstrating Amtrak core competencies and meeting their individual job accountabilities. Achievement in these three areas is critical to determining the overall performance rating.

2. My Commitments, On Track Discussions and End of Year Wrap-Up make up performance conversations (performance management at Amtrak) and are key elements of Pay for Performance.

3. During End of Year Wrap-Up, all non-agreement employees complete their self-assessments in My CareerTrak.

4. A critical part of the End of Year Wrap-Up is calibration. Through calibration, Amtrak examines the way performance ratings were applied to ensure fairness and consistency.

5. During the End of Year Wrap-Up process, employees will have a performance and merit conversation with their manager to discuss: 1) Merit pay and, if applicable, the Short-Term Incentive; and 2) areas of strength, opportunities for development and goals.

Reminder: End of Year Wrap-Up is underway. The remaining webinar is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2 p.m. (ET).

Use the following log-in information to attend the webinars:

* Meeting Number/Dial-in: 866-209-1307; Code: 7069478
* Link to attend the virtual meeting: www.teleconference.att.com/amtrak/connectmeeting<http://Amtrak.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7566b10f3b1bba11827ae742d&id=e1326b7964&e=3a89fe08c4>

Reminder: My Commitments are due by Oct. 30.

For online resources, such as, webinar presentations, guides and job aids, click here<http://Amtrak.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7566b10f3b1bba11827ae742d&id=1324aa7ec6&e=3a89fe08c4>.


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Random Acts of Kindness Photos

During the week of Sept. 20, employees were asked to participate in performing the kindness act of the day. As a reminder, please submit photographs of these acts or celebrations to EmployeeRelations@amtrak.com<mailto:EmployeeRelations@amtrak.com>. A select number of photos will be posted on the Intranet. The website address will be communicated in ATW in the upcoming weeks.


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New Employee Onboarding Module Soft Launch

Amtrak has invested in new technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness by which new employees and internal transfers are initiated (or “Onboarded”) into their new roles. Starting Oct. 5, the existing “new hire paperwork” package will be available electronically (Intranet>Human Capital Management>My CareerTrak Home Page>My CareerTrak Training Information>Onboarding Tab), allowing new hires to complete their forms online.

In the Onboarding system, new hires will also receive a two-minute welcome video from Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman<http://Amtrak.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7566b10f3b1bba11827ae742d&id=d82bba00f7&e=3a89fe08c4> upon completion of their activities.

For more information about Onboarding, visit the Human Capital Management Intranet<http://Amtrak.us8.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=7566b10f3b1bba11827ae742d&id=922d477ae9&e=3a89fe08c4> page or contact Pashon Mann<mailto:Pashon.Mann@amtrak.com> with any questions.


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Fire Prevention Is a Hot Topic

Fire safety is an important workplace topic throughout the year. Here are 10 tips to help prevent a workplace fire.

1. Practice good workplace housekeeping.

2. Place oily rags in a covered metal container.

3. Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.

4. Report electrical hazards.

5. Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards.

6. Lock up as instructed; help maintain building security to prevent arson fires.

7. Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely.

8. Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits.

9. Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the company address by the telephone.

10. Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.


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© 2015 Amtrak


Amtrak This Week is a publication of Amtrak Employee Communications.

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