On March 13, 2020, noting the President’s declaration of a national emergency related to COVID-19 and the World Health Organization’s characterization of COVID-19 as pandemic, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Ronald L. Batory activated an emergency relief docket (ERD) (Docket No. FRA-2020-0002). Activation of an ERD enables FRA to utilize its emergency waiver procedures to
The families of MTA employees who die from coronavirus will be eligible for $500,000 in death benefits from the agency, transit officials recently announced. MTA chairman Pat Foye said “What our front-line workers have done during this pandemic is nothing short of heroic and we believe this agreement is another crucial step in recognizing their
43,000 workers of the Service Trades Council Union (STCU), which includes TCU Local Lodge 1908, reached a deal with Walt Disney World on temporary furloughs that will allow them to keep their benefits. Unfortunately, they now have the Florida unemployment system to face. “The Florida unemployment system is fundamentally broken. The system is rigged to
Effective April 19, 2020 practically all of the 43,000 Walt Disney World employees working under the Service Trades Council Union (STCU) agreement will be furloughed until further notice. An agreement was reached this weekend which ensured employees would be able to maintain their health insurance at no cost to the employee for one year. In
Notice to All TCU Members Working at New York MTA Headquarters in IT, Procurement and BSC Departments: As of April 1st, your CBA covers you for short term and long term disability. This coverage was bargained by TCU ahead of forthcoming contract negotiations. These vital benefits provided by your contract are in addition to benefits
Only for members covered under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan: Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, an agreement was reached between the parties, Labor and Management, to allow members more time to submit documentation for the spouse audit under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan, the Plan. The new deadline
TCU Members are working at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. Stories of public transit workers contracting COVID-19 and tragically dying are already emerging nationwide. Workers can’t afford to wait: we must act now to protect them & the safety of the traveling public. In a letter to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) the
Last week, Congress passed and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, H.R. 748. This $2 trillion bill is meant to help stimulate the American economy, and weather the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With millions filing for unemployment, this couldn’t have come at a better time. TCU’s Legislative Department has been
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 27, boosts unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad workers impacted by the pandemic. Under the CARES Act, the 1-week waiting period required before railroad workers can receive unemployment or sickness benefits is temporarily eliminated. This applies
On January 15, 2020, FRA issued an extensive Notice Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Brake System Safety Standards.” The NPRM makes sweeping changes to brake inspections standards, and incorporates into the regulations a large number of waivers it has issued to railroads and railroad associations. Among these changes are modifications to regulations concerning air brake tests,
