March 28, 2008—Open enrollment begins this April 1 for United Healthcare’s GA-23111 for former railroad employees who are not eligible for Medicare and their eligible dependents. Featured for 2008 are three new benefit plans which provide new options with different costs and plan designs allowing individuals to select the plan best suited for their needs.
TCU Assistant Legislative Director Tony Padilla reports that after 15 hours of fervent debate and votes on the nation’s budget for FY2009, on March 14, 2008 the House and Senate adopted a Budget Resolution that sets the stage for Appropriations for FY2009. Senate Chairman Kent Conrad and Senator Frank Lautenberg were able to include funding
Amtrak Ratification Deadline Nears For TCU Carmen and MofE/MofW Supervisors February 29, 2008—Like others at Amtrak, ARASA Division members of Chicago Lodge 5088 have been reviewing the terms of the tentative agreement and sending their ratification ballots in to be counted. February 20 found International Representative Joe Derillo on site, walking the shops to talk
February 14, 2008—Settlement has been reached for members covered by the BNSF Manitoba Limited Agreement. The pact, which extends to December 31, 2010, was signed for the union by Unit 46 International Representative Larry Swanson this date.
TCU stands with the IAM in loudly protesting the decision by the Air Force to bypass U.S. union manufacturer Boeing to award a $40 billion contract to European corporations Airbus and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.). As the Machinists report, if Air Force officials were betting the outrage over the deal would die
Comparing Railroad Retirement Benefits with Social Security Employers and employees covered by the Railroad Retirement Act pay higher retirement taxes than those covered by the Social Security Act, so that railroad retirement benefits remain higher than social security benefits, especially for career employees. Click here for answers to questions about the differences in rail retirement and
Presenting Edmon with the TCU check are, from left, Vice President John Ross, Local Chairman Mike Schicker, Janet Edmon, President Joyce Johnson and Financial Secretary-Treasurer Richard Anderson. When Janet Edmon, a member of Local 805 in Fort Worth, Texas, lost her home in a house fire late in the year 2007, she soon found out
Aetna Audit Non-Responders at Amtrak Lose Rail Pass Benefit, Too June 19, 2008–According to the carrier, all dependent medical, dental and rail pass benefits have been terminated for all those union members who did not respond to the numerous requests from insurance company Aetna for dependent information. To check benefits status or get further information,
February 14, 2008—In the Pacific Northwest, seen here at the February 5 meeting of Amtrak Lodge 2513 in Portland, Oregon, are, from left to right, (seated) Financial Secretary-Treasurer Brad Brailsford and Local Chairman Kevin Graham; (standing) Board of Trustees Member Mark Rachford, President Nancy Wolkenhauer, Chair of the Board of Trustees Sylvia Mollers, new Board
Dues for most TCU members who are actively working will increase by $3.20 per month, effective April 1, 2008. In cases where dues are normally deducted a month in advance, the April increase will be deducted in March. The April dues increase is mandated by Article 26, Section 2(b) of the TCU Constitution which sets
