In a recent release from the Transportation Trades Department AFL-CIO (TTD) of which TCU is a member: Transportation union leaders across all sectors gathered for their post-election meeting to assess the landscape in Washington and lay the groundwork for a unified effort under a Trump Administration. “Our discussion was focused on boosting investment in transportation
Over the past few weeks, TCU’s Legislative & Political Department staff has dispatched to the field to get TCU members out to vote. Ron Kloos, Mark Taylor, Bill Kelaher, and David Arouca have visited numerous local offices and properties across the country to support candidates that support TCU members. Election Day is November 8th! Click HERE
After the tragic crash in Hoboken, NJ, the New Jersey Transit (NJT) commuter railroad has been under intense scrutiny from the general public, regulators and elected officials. A week ago, the New York Times published a long expose detailing the failures of Governor Christie’s administration in properly investing in the railroad: …Under the Christie administration, the
I am addressing this to all railroad workers, retirees, widows, widowers and dependents who are covered under the Railroad Retirement Act. In 2001, on the floor of the House of Representatives, then Congressman Mike Pence, R-Ind., voted against the Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act. This was the bill that provided retirement at age 60
Wilmington, DE – Vice President Biden joined with Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Amtrak officials in announcing a new $2.45 billion loan to purchase up to 28 brand new state-of-the-art locomotives, upgrade track and improve stations throughout the Northeast Corridor. In addition, the new trainsets will be built at the Alstom manufacturing
The upcoming presidential election presents one of the starkest choices for union workers in our lifetimes. Hillary Clinton has proudly stood with union workers throughout her career. Donald Trump says he’s pro-worker – but everything in his public life suggests the opposite. It is no accident that every major labor union in America, including TCU/IAM,
Congress may force the Social Security Administration to cut back on services and furlough employees, according to the agency, which pointed to proposals in both the House and Senate to reduce its funding. Although not directly effecting Railroad Retirement, this is the thinking of Congressional members on retirement benefits and could paint a dim picture
The SMART Transportation Division is pushing for new legislation to ensure that freight trains are operated by two-person crews, including a certified conductor and a certifief engineer. TCU/IAM supports this legislation (H.R. 1763, the Safe Freight Act) introduced by long-time defender and supporter of railroads and rail labor, Rep. Don Young (R-AK). You can tell
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) recently released their second ‘State of the Industry’ report, which includes new research from Towson University’s Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI). For the first time ever, there is data available that quantifies the economic impact that railroads have on the American economy and the American landscape. The new data
President Obama announced today the nomination of Thomas Kotarac to serve as Chair of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Mr. Kotarac has been recently working as Deputy Director of Policy for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Prior to that he served as a Senior Aide to Senator Dick Durbin (IL) for eight years.
