Union Plus Programs for TCU Members
TCU fully supports the programs available for active and retired TCU members and their families. With the money savings programs available, in some situations, the benefits can offset paid union dues.
MBCR Responds to TCU’s Request for the Proffer of Arbitration
TCU and the other unions in the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) Labor Coalition are asking the NMB to release them from mediation and proffer arbitration. MBCR has responded as expected and argued that a release would be premature at this time. Two days of talks on November 3 and 4 failed to produce an
NMB DENIES TCU’S REQUEST TO BE RELEASED IN NATIONAL FREIGHT BARGAINING
By letter dated December 14, 2010, the National Mediation Board (NMB) turned down TCU’s November 3 request for a proffer of arbitration in its negotiations with the national freight railroads. Click here to see NMB letter. Similar denials were mailed by the NMB to the IAM, IBEW, ATDA, and TWU, all of whom are bargaining
New Tax Law Signed by President Obama
President Obama signed new tax law December 17. We are highlighting two aspects of the law. 1 – Under current law employees pay a 6.2 percent Social Security tax on all wages earned up to $106,800. The new law provides a payroll tax holiday during 2011 of two percentage points. This means employees will pay
Information for Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Insurance Taxes for 2011
The amounts of compensation subject to railroad retirement tier I and tier II payroll taxes and the tier I and tier II tax rates on employees and employers remain the same in 2011. Railroad unemployment insurance tax rates paid by employers will include a 2.5 percent surcharge in 2011. Click here to read the full
TCU Asks the FRA to Reject BNSF Request to Inspect Trains in Mexico
On July 5, 2010, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) and the Ferrocarril Mexican Railway Company (FXE) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a test waiver of compliance to relieve BNSF from performing federally required tests and inspections on designated trains coming into the U.S. from Mexico at Eagle Pass, TX. TCU
Dependent Children Up to Age 26 and No Lifetime Limits added to the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan – Effective January 1, 2011
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama required the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare plan to be amended to include coverage for dependent children up to age 26 and to remove the lifetime limits of coverage. The previous November 3rd deadline to register adult dependent children has been
TCU Asks All Members to Tell Congress to Support Operating Assistance for Transit
The Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of AFL/CIO is asking congress complete a transportation funding bill before the end of the year and fight for good jobs by supporting transit operating assistance. Click here and write to Congress and help transit employees keep their jobs, and keep public transportation across the country moving by supporting operating
Final 60-Day Notice for Collecting Social Security Numbers under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan
TCU Members were notified in July that the FederaL law now requires the reporting of Social Security Numbers(SSNs) for covered dependents to the Center for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) .In addition if a covered dependent is eligible for Medicare then the Medicare Health Insurance claim Number(HICN) is also required. Those notified now have until January
2011 Rate Renewal for Railroad Employees Covered by the National Plan
The annual rate renewal meeting for the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (the “Plan”) was held in Washington, D.C., on October 26, 2010, at which time payment rates for 2011 were established. Rail Labor (the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations, or “CRLO”), as a Joint Policyholder, participated in the annual rate-setting meeting. The payment
Claims for Railroad Sickness Benefit is now Available Online
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced that railroad workers can now file biweekly claims for railroad sickness benefits online. Employees can access this new service by visiting the RRB’s website at www.rrb.gov and clicking “Benefit Online Services.” This new feature, along with existing ones, requires a secure Internet Services Account for each individual.