Whistleblowers covered by one of 22 statutes administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will now be able to file complaints online. The online form will provide workers who have been retaliated against an additional way to reach out for OSHA assistance online. “The ability of workers to
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) recently offered its support for H.R. 3489, legislation introduced to repeal the funding mechanism for the Transitional Reinsurance Program authorized by the Affordable Care Act. The fees levied to support the Program provide an unnecessary financial burden to the rail sector with no corresponding benefit. The Transitional Reinsurance Program
In October 2013, various rail unions requested that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant a request for a hearing regarding the Association of American Railroad’s (AAR) petition for waiver which would allow the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) in the Powder River Basin to not perform Class IA brake tests on designated trains due to the
After the recent explosions by tanker cars carrying crude oil from North Dakota’s Bakken region, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx issued a “call to action” by railroads, the oil industry and ethanol producers to work with the department to ensure their products are safely transported by rail. “We’ve got to work with them to make sure we’re listening
A Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) issued its recommendations on December 21 to settle the 3-1/2 year old dispute between eight unions, including TCU, and the Long Island Rail Road. The Board, known as PEB 244, recommended a wage settlement totaling 18.4% over six years, or 2.9% a year. The Board’s wage recommendations are retroactive to
In a recent letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives from rail labor, supporting H.R. 3489, a bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) which would repeal the current funding mechanism for the Transitional Reinsurance Program authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under
Rights to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act also carry responsibilities for reporting events that may affect the payment of these benefits to the employee or to members of the employee’s family. If these events are not reported, benefit overpayments can occur that have to be repaid, sometimes with interest and penalties. Events that can
President Barack Obama created Presidential Emergency Board 244 on Nov. 21 in an effort to resolve an impasse over contract negotiations between the Long Island Rail Road Co. (LIRR) and a coalition of unions. The coalition consists of TCU, SMART (UTU and SMWIA) and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers/SEIU. The PEB put in
TCU joined with other Unions and Business in support of a bill introduced by Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) that would end the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) reinsurance fee beginning in 2014. TCU has repeatedly worked to end the reinsurance tax that the ACA has placed on all health care plans. This
The contract provides excellent compensation gains for TCU members, more than 20% in wage increases plus a $3,000 signing bonus over its six-year term. The agreement rivals the historic national freight agreement in compensation produced, but employee contributions to health insurance are only introduced gradually on a staggered basis, not reaching national levels until the
