Visit BRS.org/Legislative to tell your member of Congress to back the REEF Act

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) is thrilled to announce significant progress in our collective fight to end the unjust cuts to unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad workers. The bipartisan Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act recently passed the House of Representatives, taking us one step closer to correcting a decade-long inequity affecting railroad employees.

This outdated federal policy unfairly reduces railroad workers' unemployment and sickness benefits by approximately $50 per pay period—funds they have rightfully earned and contributed to through the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. Unlike workers in other industries, railroaders have been uniquely targeted by federal sequestration rules, which siphon money from the benefits they and their employers fund, instead of allowing the money to serve its intended purpose.

Led by our Legislative Director, Mike Efaw, the BRS is advocating strongly for this critical piece of legislation to protect our members and ensure equity. With unanimous passage in the Budget Committee, the REEF Act, led by Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9) and Brian Fitzpatrick. (R-PA-1), now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.

“Today we are one step closer to ending these unfair rules,” said Senator Sherrod Brown, a key proponent of the REEF Act. “Railroad workers need and deserve the same unemployment insurance that is available to workers in other industries – and this common-sense legislation will make sure they get it.”

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen applauds the bipartisan effort spearheaded by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1)

to right this longstanding wrong. Together with the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department, we urge Congress to act swiftly and pass the REEF Act, ensuring that rail workers receive the full benefits they have earned.

The BRS will continue to keep our members updated as this vital legislation progresses. Let’s stand together and ensure fairness for railroaders nationwide!