Kearny, New Jersey – On June 28, ATDA President Ed Dowell, Vice President Barry Cross, and Vice President Brandon Denucci visited 40-year ATDA member George Burke at the New Jersey Transit Power Supervisors office in Kearny, New Jersey. The purpose of the visit was to congratulate Burke on his upcoming retirement after 56 years of railroad service. Brother Burke began his railroad career at the age of eighteen, on July 8th, 1968, when he was hired as an electrician helper with the Erie Lackawanna Railway.
After a brief time however, his work was interrupted by the Vietnam Conflict, in which he served as a Gunner’s Mate on two ships in the United States Navy’s Pacific 7th Fleet. Once brother Burke was discharged from military service in the early 1970’s, he returned to Erie Lackawanna, and became a Class A high voltage substation electrician on the Hoboken Division. He continued in this role as Erie Lackawanna became Conrail in 1976 and was promoted to an ATDA Power Supervisor position in June 1984. This eventually led to his promotion to Assistant Chief Power Supervisor in 1989, and then Chief Power Supervisor in October 1991. At the time of his retirement, he will have held the position of Chief Power Supervisor for 33 years.
Over the course of his ATDA membership, Burke served as NJT Power Supervisors General Chairman for 22 years (1985-2007), took part in 6 ATDA General Assemblies, and signed 6 contracts as General Chairman. Reflecting on his time as a member, Burke said “It has been an honor to have been a member of such a terrific labor organization such as ATDA & very thankful to all great friendships made over the decades of Train & Power Dispatchers / co-workers.” Burke also noted that his retirement plans include “home improvements, travel & spoil my grandkids rotten.”
The ATDA thanks brother Burke for his many years of membership and service. We also wish him a very happy and prosperous retirement.
George Burke working earlier in his career.
ATDA President Ed Dowell congratulates 40-year ATDA member George Burke on his upcoming retirement.
From Left to Right: ATDA Vice President Barry Cross, NJT Power Supervisors General Chairman Richard Driz, NJT Chief Power Supervisor George Burke, and ATDA President Ed Dowell.
From left to right: NJT Power Supervisor Mason Fatovic, New Chief Power Supervisor Alex Martinez, Retiring Chief Power Supervisor George Burke, NJT Power Supervisors General Chairman Richard Driz, and NJT Power Supervisors System Treasurer Alin Abraham.