A release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) describes the disability annuities for railroaders who become totally or occupationally disabled. Medicare coverage before age 65 is also available for totally disabled employees and those suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or chronic kidney disease. Click here to read the questions and answers release that describes
TCU/IAM Carman Division Sends Comments to the FRA Opposing the BNSF Waiver for Trains Originating at Powder River Basin Coal Mines The BNSF Railroad Company (BNSF) seeks a waiver of compliance to expand the existing waiver that granted relief from maximum mileage and inspection requirements. The waiver extended haul trains, to over 1,500 miles for
A healthy vibrant freight rail industry is the backbone of the U.S. economy, supporting thousands of vital TCU/IAM jobs and investing record amounts of private capital needed to sustain and grow the nation’s rail system. The 112th Congress rejected proposals by the Trucking Industry to increase truck size and weight allowances. Alternatively, the 2013 Transportation Bill
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has shipped large amounts and a variety of radioactive material by rail for years. The number of rail shipments is expected to increase in coming years. With the increase in rail shipments comes the increased risk for rail incidents involving radioactive material. The Rail Workers Hazmat Training Program
TCU/IAM Member Keith Anderson and MBCR employee Chrystal Desrochers both receive appreciation for their life saving efforts. Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) recognized TCU/IAM Supervisor Keith Anderson for his quick and efficient actions that resulted in saving the life of a fellow employee. On January 24, 2013, after receiving a phone call from an MBCR
A recent letter from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to the Treasurer of Michigan, pointed out that the Michigan Income Tax code, that would tax railroad retirement benefits, is prohibited under federal statute. Michigan seeks to deny the deduction for individuals who are paid under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) effectively assessing a State tax
Pictured from TCU/IAM are National Vice President and Carmen General President Rich Johnson, TCU/IAM National Representative Ray Grygiel and TCU/IAM Assistant National Representative Bob Keppen: from CN; Director of Labor Relations Tom Sullivan, Labor Relations Manager Karen McCarthy and US Southern Region Mechanical Officer Darrell Hoyt. Canadian National (CN) and the TCU/IAM Carmen Division released
As a result of recently implemented budget cuts, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) must reduce railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits by 9.2 percent. These reductions stem from a sequestration order which President Obama filed on March 1, 2013, in accordance with the requirements of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The sequestration order sets
As Congress prepares to deliberate this year over the rewrite of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA), we have the opportunity to make things right and finally match our pursuit of a modern economy with a modern transportation system. With 31 million riders and growing popularity, Amtrak had its best year ever in
The 19th Annual Dr. Gary Burch Memorial Safety Award is awarded from the Burch Family to the railroad worker who has done the most to improve the safety of railroad passengers. The award includes $1,000. Dr. Burch was chief of the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at Eisenhower Hospital at Fort Gordon, Ga. He was
