TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea and Carmen Division General President Don Grissom attended the historic groundbreaking of America’s first high-speed rail line in Las Vegas, NV, on Monday, April 22. NP Maratea and Carmen Division GP Grissom were joined by Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other rail labor leaders. Brightline West
Yesterday, TCU and BRC joined the rest of rail labor in celebrating the finalizing of the two-person crew rule. The new rule will require most trains to have a minimum of two crew members, significantly improving operating crew safety as well as the safety of communities our trains pass through. “Common sense tells us that
TCU-supported nominees were appointed to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC) on Thursday, March 28th. STB announced the PRAC in November 2023 to provide guidance and make recommendations to the Board on passenger rail issues across the country. The Committee’s goals are to improve efficiency on passenger rail routes, reduce disputes
In the wake of the East Palestine derailment, and despite public outcry to pass legislation to improve rail safety nationwide, House Republican leadership has so far refused to even hold a hearing, let alone put forward legislation. Last week, House Democrats took matters into their own hands by holding a Rail Safety Roundtable featuring workers
In a response to letter from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated his major concerns regarding the downward trajectory of safety in the freight rail industry. In the letter, Secretary Buttigieg stated, “The major freight railroads are widely and increasingly regarded as being obsessed with quarterly profits and
On Wednesday, March 6th, the Senate Budget Committee passed the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act out of committee. The bill, which passed the committee with unanimous bipartisan support, would remove railroad retirement benefits from budget sequestration. In the Budget Control Act of 2011, a 5.7% cut was mandated for railroad retirement unemployment and
The Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) congratulates Congressman-elect Tom Suozzi on winning the special election for New York’s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday, February 13th. A longtime supporter of rail labor, Tom Suozzi has specifically supported TCU Unit 167 members throughout his career. TCU Unit 167 represents various crafts at Long Island Railroad (LIRR), Metro North,
Transportation Communications Union National President Arthur Maratea formally endorsed former Representative Tom Suozzi for the open seat in New York’s 3rd Congressional District. The special election will be held on February 13th, 2024. In the letter, President Maratea referenced former Rep. Suozzi’s prior support of TCU members on Long Island Railroad, specifically the former Congressman’s efforts
Last week, TCU and Carmen Division leaders attended the Federal Railroad Administration’s 2nd annual Rail Share Conference in Kansas City to engage directly with industry and government leaders on rail safety issues. Speaking to a packed audience of FRA officials and Class 1 railroad managers and executives, TCU National Legislative Director Dave Arouca led
A recent article published in Bloomberg Government By Lillianna Byington and Diego Areas Munhoz Nearly 6% cut to some railroader benefits hits post-pandemic Congress faces tough path despite bipartisan support CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION Stop Cuts to Railroad Workers’ Benefits by Supporting the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act A recent cut in
