Opinion ID: 500031
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act--RITEA

Text: 13 On May 30, 1980, the President signed into law the Rock Island Railroad Transition and Employee Assistance Act (RITEA) Pub.L. No. 96-254, 94 Stat. 399 (1980) (codified as amended at 45 U.S.C. Sec. 1001 et seq.). The purpose of this act was twofold: (1) to protect the interests of former Rock Island employees and (2) to protect the railroads against labor strife and ensure continued operation of the lines formerly controlled by the Rock Island railroad. 5 14 Section 105 of the Act, 45 U.S.C. Sec. 1004, entitled Railroad Hiring, provides a broader right of first hire than the March 4th Agreement. Where the March 4th Agreement limits the right of first hire to work stemming from the acquisition of the Rock Island, RITEA provides a blanket right of first hire to former Rock Island employees. 6 Specifically, it states that former employees of the Rock Island: 15 shall, unless found to be less qualified than other applicants, have the first right of hire by any other rail carrier that is subject to regulation by the [ICC] for any vacancy that is not covered by [an affirmative action plan]. 16 45 U.S.C. Sec. 1004 (emphasis added). 17 On January 14, 1983, the arbitration provision of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act, 45 U.S.C. Sec. 797c(g), was amended to subject disputes regarding the right of first hire under RITEA to mandatory arbitration. See Rail Safety and Service Improvement Act of 1982, Pub.L. No. 97-468, Sec. 235, 96 Stat. 2543, 2547 (1983). Prior to this time, an action could theoretically be brought in federal court to enforce this right. See Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers v. Burlington Northern, 580 F.Supp. 797 (D.Colo.1984). 18