The Voice of Transportation Labor
Employers and employees covered by the Railroad Retirement Act pay higher retirement taxes than those covered by the Social Security Act, so that railroad retirement benefits remain higher than social security benefits, especially for career employees. The following questions and answers show the differences in railroad retirement and social security benefits payable at the close [...]
As a result of recently implemented budget cuts, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) must reduce railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits by 9.2 percent. These reductions stem from a sequestration order which President Obama filed on March 1, 2013, in accordance with the requirements of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The sequestration order [...]
By Dr. Norman K. BrownUTU Medical Consultant We have known for a long time that inadequate oxygen from poor heart or lung function, or poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide carried from breathing into our lungs, can injure our brains. Recent studies of women exposed to second hand smoke showed statistical increases in dementia over [...]
According to Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) policy, every annuitant has the right to manage his or her own benefits. However, when physical or mental impairments make a railroad retirement annuitant incapable of properly handling benefit payments, or where the RRB determines that the interests of the annuitant so require, the agency can appoint a representative [...]
By SMART General President Joe Nigro – We are one! Not only as a result of our recent merger, but also by the pledge we make to one another as union brothers and sisters. The strength of organized labor lies in the hearts and minds of every union member who understands the meaning of allegiance. [...]
Members planning to attend one or both of the UTU’s regional meetings this summer can now complete their registration online through the UTU website. The secure pages on the UTU website provide for safe and convenient registration. There’s no need for filling out a paper registration form or finding a postage stamp. UTU regional meeting [...]
You need to know more about your Railroad Medicare benefits or specific claims. Sometimes you’d like to find the information on your own, and other times, you want to speak with a Customer Service Representative (CSR). Railroad Medicare, administered by Palmetto GBA, gives you the best of both of worlds. Just call Palmetto’s IVR at [...]
The percentage of American workers in labor unions took an unusually large fall in 2012, dropping to 11.3 percent last year from 11.8 percent in 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced. The total number of union members also took an unusually big drop, by 400,000, to 14.3 million, even though overall employment in the [...]
Handling the affairs of a deceased family member can be a difficult task. But like estate planning, it’s important to prepare in advance. Medicare law prevents contractors from disclosing information and updating records for a deceased beneficiary without appropriate documentation, according to Palmetto GBA, the official Railroad Medicare agent. Authorization documents that are acceptable for [...]
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has once again awarded its Medicare contract to Palmetto GBA, which will continue to handle Medicare Part B claims for Railroad Retirement beneficiaries. The award, which was announced Sept. 28, names Palmetto as the Railroad Specialty Medicare Administrative Contractor (SMAC). The transition to the new contract award does not have [...]
Notified you are under investigation? Wish to file a grievance? Membership rights question? Click on the “Membership Toolbox” for your answer. … (Read more)
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The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a new report on the status of fatigue among railroad industry employees. In 2001, the FRA began examining the fatigue status of safety-critical railroad employees by using logbooks to collect work and … (Read More)
The dates and locations of the 2013 UTU regional meetings are: July 1-3: Boston, at the Westin Boston Waterfront July 29-31: Anaheim, Calif., at the Hilton Anaheim Members and attendees can now register online for a UTU regional meeting, as well … (Read More)
