The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) released a booklet on how Medicare effects railroad workers. The booklet is issued for general information and does not cover certain limitations, exceptions and special cases. The Medicare program covers railroad workers just like workers under social security. Railroad retirement payroll taxes include a Medicare hospital insurance tax just like
In accordance with the IAM Constitution and as noted in the attached letter, their monthly per capita tax is increased by using the average of the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as published by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics and the
National negotiations between the freight railroads in national negotiations and the TCU Coalition remain stalled, hostage to the carriers’ unremitting demands for major concessionary changes to the plan design of GA-23000. Negotiations began in January of 2015. TCU invoked mediation in October 2015. The parties have met regularly since then under the auspices of the
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
In a recent release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB): The amounts of compensation subject to railroad retirement tier I and tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2017, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. In addition, unemployment insurance contribution rates paid by railroad employers will continue to include
In a statement letter from TCU President Bob Scardelletti: On behalf of the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), an American labor union and an International Transport Workers’ Federation affiliate, I write to express my support of the Korean unions’ general strike on November 30th, as well as their demand that you resign immediately. The right to
The lifetime maximum under the negotiated medical plan for early retirees will increase by $6,200 from $151,600 to $157,800, effective January 1, 2017, due to automatic adjustments based on medical cost inflation. The change affects members enrolled in the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan, GA-46000. This early retirement plan provides a
Persons claiming retirement, disability, survivor, unemployment or sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have the right to appeal unfavorable determinations on their claims. The RRB released a questions and answers that describes the appeals process for persons whose claims under the Railroad Retirement Act or Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act are denied, or who
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
In a recent release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB): Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2017 without having their benefits reduced as a result of increases in earnings limits indexed to average national wage increases. Like social security benefits, some railroad retirement benefit payments are subject to deductions if
