Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen

Paused

Dear Brothers: Our Railroad Retirement System is under attack. The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Budget, Paul Ryan (WI-R), has suggested that cutting back on Railroad Retirement benefits would save taxpayers “$2 billion over 10 years.” This is false and establishes his ignorance on how our Railroad Retirement System functions.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced changes to regulations governing positive train control (PTC) installation aimed at providing railroads additional flexibility and reducing their implementation costs. www.ProgressiveRailroading.

HAZMAT Training

The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is building a nationwide pool of peer instructors to deliver hazmat training. This DOT-funded train-the-trainer course provides regional peer trainers with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver this awareness level hazmat training at their job-sites, union meetings and in their communities.

Download:

DOT Flier-2012.doc

More LIRR Disability Indictments Coming

Manhattan federal prosecutors plan to indict 10 more Long Island Rail Road retirees for disability fraud this month and say many more are still under investigation. "This is ongoing . . . very active," prosecutor Danya Perry said during a hearing in federal court in Manhattan on Friday. "There is a huge number of additional defendants we are investigating.

Support the NALC to “Stamp Out Hunger”

Saturday, May 12, 2012, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will work to “Stamp Out Hunger” during its 20th annual national food drive. Union Plus urges all union members and their families to support the NALC by participating. This is the largest one-day food drive in America for helping feed our own country’s hungry families.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R.4348) authorizing another 90-day extension of transit and highway law (SAFETEA-LU) through September 30, 2012.

Yesterday, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) announced that Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) members ratified a new national agreement with major U.S. freight railroads, joining workers at 12 other rail labor unions who previously ratified new contracts.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) guidance for railroads and public transit agencies to help keep pedestrians safe near train stations.

WASHINGTON — Rail car manufacturers across the country will have an opportunity to submit bids to produce the first American-made, standardized passenger rail cars, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced.

Relco Ruling Upheld

A three-member panel formed by the National Labor Relations Board, affirmed the decision of Administrative law Judge William L. Schmidt in the termination case of four Relco Locomotive, Inc. employees.