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.
House Committee Approves Passenger Rail Reform Legislation
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today approved bipartisan legislation that improves the infrastructure, reduces costs, leverages private sector resources, creates greater accountability and transparency, and accelerates project delivery for Amtrak and the Nation’s passenger rail transportation system. The Committee approved by voice vote the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2014, or PRRIA (H.R.
RRB Release – Deemed Service Month Credits
Railroad retirement benefits are based on months of service and earnings credits. Earnings are creditable up to certain annual maximums on the amount of compensation subject to railroad retirement taxes. Credit for a month of railroad service is given for every month in which an employee had some compensated service for an employer covered by
TCU Members at DMIR Overwhelmingly Ratify New Agreement
By a 4 to 1 margin in favor, Duluth and Missabe Iron Range (DMIR) Ore Dock members successfully ratified a tentative agreement on September 11, 2014, after 3 years of bargaining, mediation and a failed first ratification. TCU wanted to follow the pattern set by National Bargaining; we were not interested in making rules changes
TCU Carmen Division Submits Comments to the FRA on Two BNSF Waiver Requests
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) has filed two petitions with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a six-month temporary waiver of compliance from Federal Railroad Safety Regulations. If both of these waivers are granted two critical changes would be made, it would allow BNSF to: • Move defective equipment further than the current
BNSF Railway Ordered To Pay $12k To Worker Disciplined For Taking Doctor-Ordered Leave
BNSF Railway Co. has been found in violation of the Federal Railroad Safety Act by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for disciplining an employee at its Murray Yard complex for following a physician’s treatment plan. The company has been ordered to pay the conductor $12,000 in damages, remove disciplinary
Metro-North Clerks and MofE Supervisors Overwhelmingly Ratify New Agreements
In very high turnouts, TCU Clerks and MofE Supervisors ratified new contracts with Metro-North by over 90% margins. The contracts have identical terms to the breakthrough Long Island contracts, with 18.2% in compounded wage increases over 6-1/2 year terms, fully retroactive. “We promised our Metro-North members that our struggle on Long Island was their struggle
Your Track to Health Releases for September 2014
Yourtracktohealth.com has released information to improve Railroad Employees health. The release includes: • Prediabetes:• Featured Live Healthy Content: Cross-Training – The Benefits of Mixing Exercises• New Video Content in the Video Library: How much exercise should you get in a week?• Open Enrollment Coming Soon: Begins October 1, 2014 – mark your calendars• Health FSA
TCU Clerks and ARASA (MofE) Sign Agreements on Metro-North
Seated left to right: Charles Glasgow, Deputy Director, Labor Relations MTA; Arthur Maratea, National Vice President, TCU-IAM. Standing left to right: Ralph Agritelley,Vice President Labor Relations, Metro-North; Michael Hale, FST ARASA TCU-IAM Lodge 5091; William Mills, General Chairman ARASA TCU-IAM Lodge 5041; Paul Constantinople, Local Chairman TCU-IAM Lodge 227; William DeCarlo, National Representative TCU-IAM Unit
Railroad Labor Submits Comment to FRA Requesting Denial of Petition by NS
Railroad labor submits joint comment to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requesting denial of the petition for waiver by Norfolk Southern (NS). The joint unions include: Brotherhood of Railway Carmen/TCU-IAM (BRC), American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
FRA Denies AAR Waiver Request to Avoid Brake Inspections and Tests Performed By TCU/IAM Carmen
The American Association of Railroads (AAR) requested a waiver for UP trains to use the data from wayside detectors as a means to avoid the required air brake inspections and tests that TCU Carmen do. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently sent a denial of that waiver request. TCU Vice-President and Carmen General President Rich