Job Insurance for TCU Members
With LECMPA job insurance, TCU members protect themselves from wage loss due to discipline.
TCU AND OTHER UNIONS PREPARE FOR STRIKE ON LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD
Faced with the Long Island Rail Road’s total rejection of Presidential Emergency Board 244’s recommendations, TCU and the other involved unions are actively preparing for a strike, which could come as early as March 21. TCU is in a coalition with SMART-Transportation (UTU) and Mechanical (Sheet Metal Workers), and the National Conference of Firemen and
RRB Releases Medicare Booklet for Railroad Workers
A recent release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) explains what railroad workers need to know about the Medicare program. The Medicare program covers railroad workers just like workers under social security. Railroad retirement payroll taxes include a Medicare hospital insurance tax just like social security payroll taxes. Though you’re paying into the Medicare program
DOL Launches Online Form to file OSHA Whistleblower Complaints
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
AAR Supports H.R. 3498 – Repealing the Crippling 2014 Tax on National Railroad Healthcare Plans
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
FRA Grants Hearing Request by Rail Labor
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
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Urges Railroad Industry to Bolster Oil Train Safety
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
Presidential Emergency Board Issues Recommendations on Long Island Rail Road
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
Rail Chiefs Send Letter to Congress in Support of H.R. 3489 – Removing the ACA Funding by Taxing Railroad Health Care Plans
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
Reporting Events That Can Affect Railroad Retirement Benefits
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
Obama Creates Presidential Emergency Board 244 on Long Island Rail Road
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