On Wednesday, December 18th, the U.S. Senate passed the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation will now head to President Biden’s desk to sign into law. Since 2011, Railroaders’ unemployment and sickness benefits have been unfairly and unjustifiably cut by 5-8%. Rail labor
On Monday, FRA Administrator Amit Bose visited and met with local rail labor leaders in Memphis, TN. “My priority is to make sure railroaders know that the FRA has their back when it comes to safety,” said Administrator Bose. “It’s critical that our members see that this FRA Administrator cares and wants to fix safety
July 24, 2024 – TCU’s National Legislative Director, David Arouca, testified before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on the significant challenges the carmen craft is facing in the railroad industry today. Brother Arouca highlighted the issues our members consistently raise to us: the railroads are not giving them enough time to do their jobs
On July 12, 2024, International President Brian Bryant sent a letter to President Joe Biden showing support and urging President Biden to ‘remain strong and stay in the presidential race.’ TCU fully supports IP Bryant and the Machinists Union. National President Artie Maratea said, ” TCU supports those who support us, and nobody has supported
The House Republicans have proposed a -$24 million (20%) cut to the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) budget for FY2025. This would be cataclysmic for the agency, which is already dealing with severe funding issues. For reference, the RRB Board Members requested a budget of $172 million for this year in order to meet mission critical
TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea and Carmen Division General President Don Grissom attended the historic groundbreaking of America’s first high-speed rail line in Las Vegas, NV, on Monday, April 22. NP Maratea and Carmen Division GP Grissom were joined by Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other rail labor leaders. Brightline West
Yesterday, TCU and BRC joined the rest of rail labor in celebrating the finalizing of the two-person crew rule. The new rule will require most trains to have a minimum of two crew members, significantly improving operating crew safety as well as the safety of communities our trains pass through. “Common sense tells us that
TCU-supported nominees were appointed to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC) on Thursday, March 28th. STB announced the PRAC in November 2023 to provide guidance and make recommendations to the Board on passenger rail issues across the country. The Committee’s goals are to improve efficiency on passenger rail routes, reduce disputes
In the wake of the East Palestine derailment, and despite public outcry to pass legislation to improve rail safety nationwide, House Republican leadership has so far refused to even hold a hearing, let alone put forward legislation. Last week, House Democrats took matters into their own hands by holding a Rail Safety Roundtable featuring workers
In a response to letter from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated his major concerns regarding the downward trajectory of safety in the freight rail industry. In the letter, Secretary Buttigieg stated, “The major freight railroads are widely and increasingly regarded as being obsessed with quarterly profits and
