On March 29, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on a party line vote adopted the so-called Ryan Budget over the opposition of House Democrats. One of the Budget’s provisions states that railroad retirement benefits “are more generous than Social Security in many ways.” The Budget goes on to call for legislation to conform
In a release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) stated the impact of the measures that call for conforming railroad retirement tier I benefits to social security benefits. In the statement the RRB states’ “While railroad retirement tier I payroll taxes are coordinated with social security taxes so that employers and employees pay tier I
Employers and employees covered by the Railroad Retirement Act pay higher retirement taxes than those covered by the Social Security Act, so that railroad retirement benefits remain higher than social security benefits, especially for career employees. Click here to read the Q&A released by the RRB on this information.
In a reaffirmation of TCU’s commitment to BNSF’s safety initiatives at its Intermodal facilities, pictured here left to right are TCU Local Chairman Brian Sota, Lodge 781, TCU Assistant National Representative Kelly Gilbertson, TCU Lodge 781 Corwith Protective Committeeman Tony Soto and TCU Vice President Tom Truhler, congratulating Brother Soto on his selection by BNSF
In a letter sent to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Transportation Trades Department (TTD), of which TCU is a member, TTD President Ed Wytkind requests that they vote no on the resolution proposed by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan establishing the budget for Fiscal Year 2013 (H. Con. Res.112). In the letter Wytkind
In a recent vote in the U.S. Senate they extended transportation funding for 90 days. The extension came at the last moment to ensure that funding for transportation projects would remain while the House and senate struggle toagree on a full transportation bill. The extension came two days before a deadline that could have shutdown
In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, TCU President Bob Scardelletti asks that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding formula levels be restored in the Surface Transportation Bill. The new formula will drastically reduce the funding for the Alaska Railroad. The bill as currently written would cut 83% of the funding for this
In a joint letter To President Obama from seven unions TCU President Bob Scardelletti, along with the other six presidents asked that, advanced coal technology be expressly included in the energy policy currently being advanced by the White House. Also included in the letter is the concern over the potential job losses under the U.S. EPA’s
In addition to the retirement annuities payable to employees, the Railroad Retirement Act, like the Social Security Act, also provides annuities for the spouses of retired employees. Payment of a spouse annuity is made directly to the wife or husband of the employee. Divorced spouses may also qualify for benefits. Click here to read the Q&A
TCU workers on CSX Intermodal have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract by a resounding 96% margin. The new agreement mirrors the recent national freight agreement’s economic provisions, providing 20.1% in compounded general wage increases over the six year contract period – January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2015. In addition to the general wage increases, the agreement
