69-14-1001. Protection of employees affected by closure, consolidation, or centralization of station or other facility. (1) Whenever any railroad, as defined in 69-14-101, is granted the authority to close, consolidate, or centralize a railroad station or facility by order of the commission, the commission shall require employee protection. Before the commission may approve closure, consolidation, or centralization of a station or facility, it shall require from the railroad an agreement to protect each employee affected by the closure, consolidation, or centralization by providing a job at least equal in nature and pay to the job held by the employee for the 6 months prior to the closure, consolidation, or centralization or, if such job does not exist, compensation pay equal to that rate held by the employee 6 months prior to closure, consolidation, or centralization. The equal job and pay agreement must be in effect for a period of 4 years or, in the alternative, the number of years the employee has been employed prior to closure, consolidation, or centralization, whichever is shorter.
     (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, an agreement pertaining to protection of the interests of affected employees may be entered into between the railroad and duly authorized representatives of the employees.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 377, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 72-169; amd. Sec. 53, Ch. 43, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 436, L. 1983.