The current laws in place reduce the benefit amount available to those covered under railroad unemployment insurance. This act, if passed, will allow unemployed railroad workers to receive the same benefits as the general public.
TCU supports the recent introduction of S. 4860, the Railroad Employee Equality and Fairness Act, which would undo harmful, ongoing sequester impacts to the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) unemployment insurance benefits. The sequestration law was written so that these benefits are automatically reduced each year even though budget sequestration does not apply to regular federal unemployment insurance. As a result, railroad workers are subjected to reduced benefits while such benefit cuts do not apply to the general public. This unfair impact to rail labor is even more concerning now given the current pandemic’s impact to the transportation industry and the rail workforce.
Amtrak asked for a quote from TCU President Artie Maratea to be included in the release from Amtrak.
“Railroaders have had to take a reduction on their unemployment insurance benefits for too long,” said TCU President Artie Maratea, “I am happy railroaders have finally been recognized for their hard work by the Senate, by seeking to eliminate this reduction of their RUI by the introduction of REEFA.”
“Railroad workers have played an important role in supporting this nation and deserve fair treatment. We thank the Senate for their work and look forward to the quick passage of this legislation,” said Amtrak President & CEO Bill Flynn.
“The Railroad Employee Equality and Fairness Act will bring long overdue equality to our nation’s rail workers by finally putting an end to the unfair sequester of railroad worker benefits,” said Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. “This legislation is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as benefits for rail workers and their families are needed now more than ever. We strongly support passage of this bill by the Senate.”
Click here to read the release from Amtrak.