Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/687

 PUBLIC LAW 97-35—AUG. 13, 1981

95 STAT. 661

PART 3—PROTECTION FOR CONRAIL EMPLOYEES PROTECTION OF CONRAIL EMPLOYEES

SEC. 1143. (a) The Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new title: "TITLE VII—PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES "EMPLOYEE PROTECTION AGREEMENT

"SEC. 701. (a) GENERAL.—(1) The Secretary of Labor and the representatives of the various classes and crafts of employees of the Corporation shall, not later than 90 days after the effective date of this title, enter into an agreement providing protection for employees of the Corporation who were protected by the compensatory provisions of title V of this Act immediately prior to the effective date of the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 and who are, or may be, deprived of employment by actions taken under this Act and the Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981. An employee shall be considered deprived of employment if unable to obtain a position with an acquiring railroad, or to obtain a position with the Corporation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or a commuter authority through the normal exercise of seniority or, in the case of a nonagreement employee, by written application. "(2) If the parties are unable to reach agreement under paragraph (1) within 90 days, the Secretary of Labor shall, within 30 days after the expiration of such 90-day period, prescribe the benefit schedule. "(b) USE OF FUNDS.—The agreement entered into under this section may provide for the use of funds made available under section 713 of this Act for the following purposes: "(1) Allowances to employees deprived of emplo3ment. "(2) Moving expenses for employees who must make a change in residence. "(3) Retraining expenses for employees who are seeking emplo5ment in new areas. "(4) Termination allowances for employees. "(5) Health and welfare insurance premiums. "(6) Such other purposes as may be agreed upon by the parties. "(c) APPLICABILITY.—Any employee of the Corporation who is eligible for benefits under an agreement entered into under this section and who is transferred to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, to the Amtrak Commuter Services Corporation, or to a commuter authority pursuant to title V of the Rail Passenger Service Act shall remain eligible for such benefits. "(d) LIMITATION.—(1) The agreement of the parties and the benefit schedule prescribed by the Secretary under this section may not require the expenditure of funds in excess of the amount authorized to be appropriated under section 713 of this Act, or provide benefits for any individual employee in excess of $20,000. "(2) No individual shall become eligible for benefits under this section after the last day of the eighteen-month period beginning on the date of transfer under section 401 or 404 of this Act.

45 USC 797.

45 USC 771. Ante, p. 643.

Ante, p. 647.

Ante, pp. 654, 656.

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