Job Insurance for TCU Members
With LECMPA job insurance, TCU members protect themselves from wage loss due to discipline.
Highway-Transit Bill Still Under Construction
With recent tragic events taking center-stage on Capitol Hill, President Obama reluctantly signed another two-week extension of the current Highway-Transit bill. The bill had been scheduled to expire this evening. The extension should provide lawmakers the needed time to hammer out the final details on a much longer bill that would potentially provide authorized funding
RRB Release – Medicare Part B Premiums for 2016
In a release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $121.80 in 2016. However, most Medicare beneficiaries will not see an increase in their monthly Part B premiums because of a “hold harmless” provision in the law. Under
President Appoints PEB 249 on New Jersey Transit
President Obama has appointed Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 249 to make non-binding recommendations to settle the outstanding contract dispute between New Jersey Transit (NJT) and the coalition of all the unions, including TCU Carmen, Clerks and Supervisors. The three member Board will be chaired by arbitrator Joshua Javits, who also served as Chairman of the
New Jersey Transit Invokes Second PEB
New Jersey Transit invoked the appointment of a second Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), pursuant to Section 9a of the Railway Labor Act. President Obama will now appoint the members of the Presidential Emergency Board. The Board will convene around December 12, at which time the Rail Labor Coalition and NJT will present their final proposals
RRB Release – The Importance of a Current Connection for Railroad Retirement Benefits
Under the Railroad Retirement Act, a “current connection with the railroad industry” is one of the eligibility requirements for occupational disability annuities and supplemental annuities, and is one of the factors that determine whether the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or the Social Security Administration has jurisdiction over the payment of monthly benefits to survivors of
House Passes Highway-Transit Bill
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed their Surface Transportation bill (a.k.a. “Highway” bill). After votes on over 100 amendments, the bill eventually passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 363-64. Notably, the House rejected the Ribble amendment that would have increased truck weight limitations. TCU had urgedlawmakers numerous times to strike the language, and it
Congress Extends PTC Deadline
On Wednesday, Congress moved to extend the Positive Train Control (PTC) deadline by three years, clearing the way for railroads to continue operations as they work to properly install, test, and fully implement the new safety network. The bipartisan legislation that was worked out between House and Senate committee staff was attached to the Surface
RRB Release – No Railroad Retirement Benefit Increase in 2016; Retiree Earnings Limits Remain the Same
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) release a statement on 2016 Railroad Retirement annuities. Railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will not increase in January 2016 as there was no increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of last year to the corresponding period of the current year. Also, because there
2016 TIGER Grants Awarded
On October 29, 2015 the US DOT announced the award of $500 million in TIGER VII discretionary grants to transportation projects in various states. The recipients of these competitive, merit-based grants were States, local governments, port authorities, transit agencies, and metropolitan planning organizations. TCU wrote letters to the Administration in support of these grants. 18
TTD Applauds Confirmation Of Feinberg As FRA Chief
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sarah Feinberg as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Feinberg had been serving as Acting Administrator for the past nine months. Ed Wytkind, President of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued a statement applauding her confirmation: “…In the nine months that Feinberg has served as Acting Administrator,