Author Archives: giffordk@TCUnion.org

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 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 a railroad employee. It

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UPDATE: Unions Request Hearing and Comment period Extension Regarding Mechanical Inspections in Mexico

This is a follow up to the August 10th article, regarding the Kansas City Southern Railway Company’s (KCS) petition to allow Class III air brake tests, currently required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), to be performed at the U.S. / Mexican border by American inspectors to instead be performed by Kansas City Southern de

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BNSF Petitions FRA for Wayside Detector Pilot Program

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) has recently petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for waiver from Federal railroad safety regulations regarding the testing and inspecting of air brakes and an exemption from statutory requirements regarding the movement of defective or insecure equipment.  BNSF specifically requests this relief so that FRA will approve a

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RRB Financial Reports Q&A

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is required by law to submit annual financial reports and triennial actuarial valuations to Congress on the financial condition of the railroad retirement system, as well as annual financial reports on the railroad unemployment insurance system. These reports must also include recommendations for any financing changes which may be advisable

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