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The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) is proud to announce that we will be bargaining as part of a unified coalition in the upcoming round of Section 6 negotiations with CPKC.
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In a bipartisan push for rail safety, four U.S. representatives introduced the Railway Safety Act of 2025 on the second anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment.
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Dear Utah BRS Members,
A bill has been introduced that would profoundly undermine collective bargaining and union representation in our state. HB0267 (2025 General Session) aims to ban public employers from recognizing labor unions as bargaining agents, prohibit collective bargaining contracts, and restrict how union dues can be collected.
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List of Select Day-One Executive Orders Affecting Working People
On Day One (January 20, 2025), President Trump signed scores of Executive Orders. Below is a brief description of some of those orders affecting working people. Not every EO is listed. All the Executive Orders can be found on the White House website.
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Patrick Fuchs has been named chairman of the Surface Transportation Board.
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A signing ceremony to commemorate a $9.7 million research partnership between UTRGV and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen was held on Thursday, Jan. 16.
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The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) is delighted to extend its congratulations to Congresswoman Dina Titus on her recent appointment as Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials (“Rail Subcommittee”).
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On January 7, 2025, a large fire was reported in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order ahead of potential impacts from the Pacific Palisades Fire. The fire has already consumed nearly 3,000 acres and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
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FRONT ROYAL, VA – The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) is pleased to announce the passage of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act, a historic step toward restoring full unemployment and sickness benefits for more than 200,000 railroad workers and their families.
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The Illinois AFL-CIO and Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) have launched the Labor Alliance for Public Transit, uniting over 30 unions, including the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), to address a $730 million funding shortfall for Northeastern Illinois transit systems (CTA, Metra, and Pace) by 2026.
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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.
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On December 3, 2024, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) welcomed Ruben Payan, Rail Branch Chief and Brett Johnson, Accident Investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to the National Headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia.
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The BRS recognizes the VA disability process is complex and challenging, requiring in-depth knowledge and expertise for successful navigation. Many veterans are either unaware of the benefits they qualify for, hesitant due to the process's complexity, or frustrated by past experiences with the VA. Veterans Guardian offers the expertise, knowledge, and resources to bridge these gaps.
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November 4, 2024, Front Royal, VA – The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) is honored to announce a $9.7 million rail safety initiative in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Hum Industrial Technology, and the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) operated by ENSCO, Inc.
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FRONT ROYAL, VA, OCTOBER 25, 2024 – The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
(BRS), representing over 10,000 skilled professionals across the U.S. and Canada, is
proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as
the next President and Vice President of the United States.
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96 roadway worker fatalities occurred between 1997-2023. 36% (36 of 98) occurred in the 4th quarter. Additionally, October has 17 of these incidents which is almost as many fatalities as the entire second quarter or the entire third quarter.
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Various health and wellness resources available to those affected by Hurricane Helene, including behavioral health services, telemedicine options, prescription assistance, and emergency care. Support is offered through organizations like United Behavioral Health, Teladoc, Express Scripts, and more, with additional services available for vision, dental, and disaster recovery planning.
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Project 2025 Overview
Project 2025 is a strategic policy guide developed by the Heritage Foundation in collaboration with other conservative organizations. Its aim is to transform the federal government and realign it with a vision of minimal government interference, low taxation, and strong executive authority.
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Trump’s Project 2025 is the 920-page document, written by at least 140 Trump advisers and former (and likely future) leaders in the Trump administration, that spells out what they plan to do during a Trump second term.
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Between Oct.1-31, 2024, you can enroll in or change your medical or FSA benefit selections for 2025. Go to yourtracktohealth.com or ytth.com to learn more.
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If you’ve been impacted by a natural disaster, you may be eligible to receive a $500 disaster relief grant that doesn’t have to be repaid.
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Insightful conversation with Amit Bose, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, during the High-Speed Rail Construction event at the Teamsters Local 282 Hall on Long Island, September 5, 2024. We discussed the future of rail infrastructure and its impact on the industry.
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Longer trains have more cars, possibly a greater variety of car types and sizes, and more requirements for power distributed across the train in comparison with shorter manifest trains. Because of this and other factors, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) should revise the Risk Reduction Program (RRP) rule to require railroads to address all major operational changes in their RRPs in an explicit and comprehensive manner.
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Beginning August 20, 2024, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen held its annual General Chairmen’s Training at the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers’ (IAM) William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center.
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Get ready to celebrate union pride this Labor Day with Unions Power America LIVE! Tune in for heartwarming stories, surprise prize reveals, and a behind-the-scenes look at union members who keep our favorite shows and movies running.
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The Senate Committee on Appropriations has approved a $129 million budget for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) for fiscal year 2025. While this amount is higher than the House’s proposed funding and slightly increases from FY 2023, it falls short of the agency’s needs. The budget is $5 million less than the President’s request and $43.
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Canada’s two major freight railroads, Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern (CPKC), have locked out 9,000 Teamsters union members, halting operations and risking the stability of both the Canadian and U.S. economies.
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While UP maintains the highest derailment rate among Class I railroads, Employees were coached on how to respond to FRA safety questions and report interactions to leadership.
Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, has written a letter to Union Pacific Railroad expressing grave concerns about the company’s safety culture.
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Republican nominee Donald Trump's Project 2025, spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation, aims to dismantle labor protections, eliminate the minimum wage, and curb overtime pay. The AFL-CIO and labor leaders warn that the plan could decimate unions, slash worker safety regulations, and erase federal support for mass transit and education. Discover the implications of this radical agenda and how it threatens the rights and livelihoods of American workers.
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On July 12, 2024, at 2 p.m., the NTSB released the adopted accident report for the train derailment in East Palestine, OH, on February 3, 2023.
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Check out this powerful video montage by BNSF Railway Assistant General Chairman Brandon Pettit and his wife Rachel. Hear Rachel's voiceover on the dangers of working on an undermanned undermaintained railroad, followed by a moving original song. Like and share to show your support and spread the message!
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Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a rule to protect millions of workers from extreme heat. This initiative aims to safeguard around 36 million indoor and outdoor workers by reducing heat-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
Addressing a Major Hazard
Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
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We urge all members to contact their legislators immediately. Your voice can make the difference in ensuring you receive the benefits you deserve should you retire, become sick, or injured. Let your Representatives know that the proposed budget cuts will directly harm the rail employees and annuitants who have paid into the system their entire careers. Demand that Congress fund the RRB at $172.331 million to provide the rail community with the customer services it deserves. Your involvement is crucial to preventing mission failure at the RRB.
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Washington, D.C. – The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce the arrival of new Board Member, Loren E. Sweatt. Ms. Sweatt was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 7, 2024. She was sworn in and assumed her position with the NMB on April 2, 2024.
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East Palestine, Ohio – June 25, 2024
The NTSB made 25 recommendations for their final report into the East Palestine derailment that concluded with a vent and burn decision for a few cars that had vinyl chloride.
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BRS Family Member Awarded
2024 Union Plus Scholarship
Winner Honored for Achievement and Union Values
Washington, D.C. – Union Plus recently awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 209 students representing 42 unions, including one winner representing the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS).
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The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen would like to recognize and congratulate Operation RedBlock on celebrating 40 years of partnership on CSX Transportation.
Operation RedBlock (ORB) is a union-based, company-supported program designed to prevent employee drug and alcohol use while on duty.
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Important Announcement
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Change Effective Jan. 1, 2025, for all National Railroad Health & Welfare Plans
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) for the National Plans will change from Express Scripts, Inc., to Optum Rx®. All covered plan members, including eligible spouses and dependents, will automatically be enrolled in Optum Rx.
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Letter to Mike Johnson.pdf
