The Legislative Department
As National Legislative Director, National Vice President Ron Kloos oversees TCU’s legislative and political action programs.
The Legislative Department’s challenge is to protect the gains our members have made over the years and to work for legislation to further improve conditions in the workplace and in society. Department staff work both at the national level and in the states and rely on assistance from TCU’s local lodge and district officers and their grassroots committees consisting of activist members dedicated to advancing our Union’s agenda.
The department works closely with the IAM’s expert staff and other union legislative representatives through the AFL-CIO and like-minded allied groups, participating in coordinated efforts. Staff works closely with legislators and their representatives to persuade them to support TCU’s legislative priorities. Sometimes this demands an all-out effort–for example our successful campaign to enact significant improvements iu Railroad Retirement, or our work to enforce rail safety. At times our role is to work to block passage of harmful legislation–for example, stopping the repeal of New York Dock labor protection in rail mergers and protecting the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).
The department monitors and reviews all pending legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate during the current session of Congress to determine which issues might affect TCU members.