Category Archives: TCU Blog

FRA to renew Rail Safety Advisory Committee

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced that it will be re-establishing the Rail Safety Advisory Committee – commonly known as ‘RSAC.’ The committee’s charter was recently dissolved in order to redesign the charter’s memberships and voting-eligibility. Rail labor unions have been assured that their voting ability and weights will not be reduced. Rather, the

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Hurricane Florence Resources from Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan

The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan insurance companies are again offering emergency resources to those impacted by Hurricane Florence. They released a flyer that provides details and contact numbers for affected individuals in need of emotional support, prescription supplies, vision wear, medical care and more. Telemedicine services and free sessions with registered nurses

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TTD: Freight rail safety, jobs must not be jeopardized in pursuit of profits

The following is an article by Transportation Trades Department (TTD, AFL-CIO) President Larry Willis. TCU/IAM is an affiliate of TTD’s Rail Labor Division.   SEP 20, 2018 MOVEAMERICA BLOG, RAIL FREIGHT RAIL SAFETY, JOBS MUST NOT BE JEOPARDIZED IN PURSUIT OF PROFITS By Larry I. Willis There is little disagreement among lawmakers, frontline workers, government agencies, and even

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Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits Will See Slight Increase Under New Sequestration Rate

Starting October 1, 2018, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will reduce railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits by 6.2 percent, down from the current 6.6 percent reduction, as required by law. The adjusted reduction amount is based on revised projections of benefit claims and payments under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. It will remain

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RRB Release – The Importance of a Current Connection for Railroad Retirement Benefits

Under the Railroad Retirement Act, a current connection with the railroad industry is one of the eligibility requirements for occupational disability annuities, and is one of the factors that determine whether the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or the Social Security Administration has jurisdiction over the payment of monthly benefits to survivors of a railroad employee. It

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UPDATE: Unions Request Hearing and Comment period Extension Regarding Mechanical Inspections in Mexico

This is a follow up to the August 10th article, regarding the Kansas City Southern Railway Company’s (KCS) petition to allow Class III air brake tests, currently required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), to be performed at the U.S. / Mexican border by American inspectors to instead be performed by Kansas City Southern de

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