On November 14, 1934, 29 men–supervisors at the Chicago & North Western Railway–met at Harmony Hall in Chicago. There they founded what would become the American Railway Supervisors Association (later adding the word “Airway”). One of the founders, John Nuter, recalled that in 1934, the supervisors “worked not less than 10-12 hours a day. We
Act — The term for legislation once it has passed both houses of Congress and has been signed by the president or passed over his veto, thus becoming law. (See also Pocket Veto.) Also used in parliamentary terminology for a bill that has been passed by one house and engrossed. (See Engrossed Bill.) Abeyance —
The Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America was born on September 9, 1890, in convention at Topeka, Kansas. At that time, repairers made 10 or 15 cents an hour. There was no compensation for injury and there were no pensions and no laws protecting worker rights. The work week was usually seven days, 12 hours a
Michael J. Peluso, now in his senior year at Columbia University, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Union Plus program. Michael is the son of Long Island Rail Road Lodge 643 member Joseph Peluso of Floral Park, New York. In addition to demonstrating academic ability, applicants are required to submit essays outlining their
RCPL Is Now MNPL With TCU’s affiliation with the Machinists, our political action committee, the Responsible Citizens’ Political League, has been merged into the IAM’s Machinists Non-Partisan Political League–MNPL. The purpose of the MNPL is the same as RCPL. Through it the voluntary contributions of our members are channeled to support political candidates who will
The Legislative Department As National Legislative Director, International Vice President Robert Davis oversees TCU’s legislative and political action programs. The Legislative Department’s challenge is to protect the gains our members have made over the years and to work for legislation to further improve conditions in the workplace and in
The fight to secure full funding for Amtrak and to preserve the nationwide passenger rail system continues in Congress.TCU’s Legislative Department has redoubled its efforts to assure that Amtrak survives and that members keep their jobs. In meeting after meeting with Senators and Representatives “we have explained that America must have a nationwide rail passenger
After 33 years, Local 1315 Chairman Ray Huffer retired December 31. Signing on in 1971, he had served as Local Chairman since 1996. The local represents some 750 members at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority. In his years of leadership and activism, Huffer served as chief negotiator in several contracts, winning key improvements in
International Vice President Russ Oathout oversees the Social Services Department which assists members with questions or problems concerning retirement, unemployment or sickness benefits, health and welfare coverage, or Medicare for railworkers. If TCU staff cannot answer or resolve the specific concern, the staff will put you in touch with the right person to help you. Each
TCU members working on railroads have a variety of benefits, won through negotiation or legislation. The employer bears the major portion of the cost of these and other fringe benefits. Among these are: The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan — Provides health insurance for the member and eligible family members. Also provides life insurance
