Pros
Union job with good pay ($28.67) per hour in Mechanical department as of 2017. I.e carmen, electrician, machinist, pipefitter, etc. Great Medical benefits; no deducible, $20 for regular doctors, $35 for specialist, and $75 for emergency room and waived if admitted. $200 monthly premium deduction. Pension of around $90 per year of service and your spouse receives an additional 50% so long as you both are at least 60 years old and the employee had 30 good years. Opportunities to transfer nationally; at your own expense. We are reducing our requirements of government subsidies each year. Occasional overtime that you can put towards paid days off. Vacation is one week AFTER first year, two weeks at year two, three at year eight, four at year seventeen, and five at twenty-five.
Cons
You have to work at least 30 years and be 60 to receive your railroad retirement at Amtrak as of 2017 in the mechanical department. A lot of different union all with unique bargaining agreements. The Company wants to strip our benefits because we are financially broke every year. Always hearing that Amtrak needs to be dissolved. Old equipment, facilities, and workers. We never seem to have any money and the worker is the easiest target.