On Wednesday, March 6th, the Senate Budget Committee passed the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act out of committee. The bill, which passed the committee with unanimous bipartisan support, would remove railroad retirement benefits from budget sequestration. In the Budget Control Act of 2011, a 5.7% cut was mandated for railroad retirement unemployment and
The Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) congratulates Congressman-elect Tom Suozzi on winning the special election for New York’s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday, February 13th. A longtime supporter of rail labor, Tom Suozzi has specifically supported TCU Unit 167 members throughout his career. TCU Unit 167 represents various crafts at Long Island Railroad (LIRR), Metro North,
Transportation Communications Union National President Arthur Maratea formally endorsed former Representative Tom Suozzi for the open seat in New York’s 3rd Congressional District. The special election will be held on February 13th, 2024. In the letter, President Maratea referenced former Rep. Suozzi’s prior support of TCU members on Long Island Railroad, specifically the former Congressman’s efforts
Last week, TCU and Carmen Division leaders attended the Federal Railroad Administration’s 2nd annual Rail Share Conference in Kansas City to engage directly with industry and government leaders on rail safety issues. Speaking to a packed audience of FRA officials and Class 1 railroad managers and executives, TCU National Legislative Director Dave Arouca led
A recent article published in Bloomberg Government By Lillianna Byington and Diego Areas Munhoz Nearly 6% cut to some railroader benefits hits post-pandemic Congress faces tough path despite bipartisan support CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION Stop Cuts to Railroad Workers’ Benefits by Supporting the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act A recent cut in
The proposed funding levels from House Republican lawmakers would be completely devastating to railroad workers, rail safety, and railroad retirees. The bills propose to gut Amtrak and transit agencies, as well as the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), among others. “These proposed funding levels are a slap in the face to railroaders – there’s no
Last week (June 19-21), TCU/IAM leaders from across the country came to Washington, DC, to attend the 2023 Machinists Legislative Conference. Attendees heard from various members of Congress including Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and many others. TCU National Legislative Director David Arouca addressed the conference to
IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. wrote a letter to members of the U.S. Senate urging support for the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act as amended and passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee. The letter supports the legislation that would improve freight rail safety in the U.S. The IAM believes this common-sense legislation will
The IAM Rail Division applauds the bipartisan vote to approve the Railway Safety Act of 2023 as amended by Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). The legislation will now head to the Senate floor for a full vote. This bill would provide major work-life improvements for our Carmen and Machinists crafts by
TCU Local 146, 943 and 1295 Members attend Rally to Re-Elect Raphael Warnock in Georgia TCU Members in Georgia attend a morning rally to support there re-election of Senator Raphael Warnock “I am so proud to see our members get involved and support Senator Warnock. I know he will continue to do the right thing
