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
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA), employers are not only responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees, they are prohibited from retaliating against employees who engage in protected whistleblower conduct such as raising safety concerns or reporting injuries and illness. OSHA continues to vigorously prosecute whistleblower violations, and
Railroad annuity cannot be paid when you work for a railroad or other employer in the railroad industry. The annuity cannot be paid for any month you do any work and earn over $850 after deduction of disability-related work expenses. This earnings restriction applies until the month you reach full retirement age. Click here to
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) Customer Service Plan promotes the principles and objectives of customer-driven quality service agency-wide. The RRB’s plan lays out the standards and expresses the time frames in terms of when the agency is required to make its decision to pay or deny an application for benefits. The plan states specifically
A recent release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), states that the amounts of compensation subject to railroad retirement tier I and tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2015, with the tier I tax rates remaining the same while tier II tax rates will increase for both railroad employers and employees. Also, railroad unemployment
TCU Members on the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Compant (B&LE) have ratified a new agreement by a 100% margin in favor. The new agreement provides increases of 18.6% over 6 years. With lump sum payments, Cost of living increases and the continuation of the Health and Welfare all included in the new contract. The
Employee annuities paid under the Railroad Retirement Act are subject to dual benefit reductions when social security benefits are also payable, and they may be subject to reduction when certain public, non-profit or foreign pension payments are also due a retired employee. The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has released a questions and answers that describes
TCU Clerical employees on Pan Am Railways have voted unanimously to ratify a new contract. The new deal delivers 12% in wage increases over its four year term. TCU Carmen members ratified an identical contract one week earlier. The Carmen and Clerical contracts were negotiated jointly by National Vice President Arthur Maratea, National Representatives Roger
Tuesday, November 4 is Election Day, TCU members in every state will be affected by the results. If right-wing extremists take over both houses of Congress, then transportation infrastructure, pensions, health care and many other important issues are at risk. And if anti-worker, anti-retiree governors take over state houses, then more issues are at risk,
TCU Carmen on Pan-Am Railway ratified a new agreement. The new agreement brings 12% wage increases over 4 years. Here is the breakdown of how the increases are structured: 11/1/14 3%11/1/15 3%11/1/16 3%11/1/17 3% TCU National Vice-President Arthur Maratea said, “Everyone did a great job! Congrats to every member, over 75% voted for this contract.”
