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.
Fighting Bad Trade Deals
On Monday, labor leaders, religious leaders, and Members of Congress came together to once-again denounce the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP is a massive trade deal currently being proposed between the U.S. and eleven other nations; and one that many are calling “NAFTA on Steroids.” TCU stood in solidarity with IAM at the Capitol
A look back at a wild December
The TCU Legislative Department hopes everyone had a fun and safe holiday season and wishes you the best in this New Year! And to ring in 2016, we wanted to provide a recap of the happenings in DC last month. This past December there was much to celebrate for TCU members as Santa arrived a
2015 FST Forms
Click on the link to download the current form. RR = Railroad SS = Social Security 2016 FST Forms 2016 Railroad Retirement Earnings and Tax Rates 2016 SS Tax Rate Notice 2016 Audit OE-1a (RR Lodges) 2016 Audit OE-1a Extended (RR Lodges) 2016 Audit Only (SS Lodges) 2016 Audit Only Extended (SS Lodges)
Lifetime Maximum Under the Negotiated Medical Plan for Early Retirees (GA-46000) Increased
The lifetime maximum under the negotiated medical plan for early retirees will increase by $5,800 from $145,800 to $151,600, effective January 1, 2016, 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. Click here for more information about
Notable Arbitration Case Won – TCU Defends Retiree Benefits
For several decades Long Island Rail Road had a standing practice of issuing Lifetime rail passes upon retirement to LIRR employees and their spouses. However, in 2013, LIRR unilaterally issued a new policy that required retirees and their spouses to not only renew their rail passes within six months but also required that the passes
Highway-Transit Bill Still Under Construction
With recent tragic events taking center-stage on Capitol Hill, President Obama reluctantly signed another two-week extension of the current Highway-Transit bill. The bill had been scheduled to expire this evening. The extension should provide lawmakers the needed time to hammer out the final details on a much longer bill that would potentially provide authorized funding
RRB Release – Medicare Part B Premiums for 2016
In a release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $121.80 in 2016. However, most Medicare beneficiaries will not see an increase in their monthly Part B premiums because of a “hold harmless” provision in the law. Under
President Appoints PEB 249 on New Jersey Transit
President Obama has appointed Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 249 to make non-binding recommendations to settle the outstanding contract dispute between New Jersey Transit (NJT) and the coalition of all the unions, including TCU Carmen, Clerks and Supervisors. The three member Board will be chaired by arbitrator Joshua Javits, who also served as Chairman of the
New Jersey Transit Invokes Second PEB
New Jersey Transit invoked the appointment of a second Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), pursuant to Section 9a of the Railway Labor Act. President Obama will now appoint the members of the Presidential Emergency Board. The Board will convene around December 12, at which time the Rail Labor Coalition and NJT will present their final proposals
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 supplemental 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