Brotherhood Railway Carmen
 and
TCU Newsbreak
 

For Release May 8, 2012
United HealthCare GA-23111
Rates Increase

Effective June 1, 2012, monthly payment rates under Group Policy GA-23111, for retired members will increase as noted below:

Plan A, current rate $335 will increase to $355
Plan B, current rate $460 will increase to $485
Plan C, current rate $590 will increase to $625
Plan E, current rate $200 will increase to $207
Plan F, current rate $180 will increase to $185

These rates were provided by United HealthCare.

For Release April 19, 2012
Railroad Retirement Under Attack

Sisters and Brothers,


Recently the US House of Representatives passed a budget known as the “Ryan” budget. Part of that budget contains a provision to change the Railroad Retirement Act as we know it today by modifying the Tier 1 provisions to conform with the benefits provided by Social Security. In effect, this would eliminate the 60/30 retirement provision and do away with our Occupational Disability provision, benefits that Rail Labor has fought hard for over the years obtain and maintain.


We have been fighting this proposal since its inception in a House committee, and continue to fight it today. The issue of the Ryan Budget and the proposed changes to the Railroad Retirement system have been discussed on numerous occasions prior to passage of the bill by the House, and since the bill has been passed by the House. The most recent discussions were held at the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) Executive Committee meeting in March, at a Railroad Retirement Board Legislative seminar last Monday, and again at the RLD meeting last Tuesday. Additionally, IBEW Legislative Representatives and Legislative Reps from all of the Rail Labor unions have been working on this issue since the House Committee released its report. Our Legislative Representatives have been contacting Congressmen and Senators and their staff members and re-educating them on the Railroad Retirement Act - letting them know how and why the system exists as it does, how no changes have ever been made to the Act without agreement between management and labor, and how proposed legislation such as this would be very detrimental to the working women and men on our nation's railroads.


At this point it is the opinion of Rail Labor that this proposed legislation as presented will never even be considered by the Senate and that it will be changed drastically, as most legislation is, before it moves any further. It is also the consensus of Rail Labor that, aside from what we are doing as noted above, at this time, and for various reasons, we should keep a low profile on the issue. We will be keeping a close eye specifically on the Railroad Retirement piece of this legislation in case the republicans attempt to make it part of another piece of legislation and slip it through for a vote. If the time comes that something like this seems like it may have a chance of actually becoming law, you can rest assured that Rail Labor will mount a full-scale and aggressive campaign against it. As additional information, we have also been informed by the railroads that they too oppose this proposed change to the Railroad Retirement System.


If you have any questions pertaining to the foregoing, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Fraternally,
Bill Bohné, Jr.
Director – IBEW Railroad Department
202-728-6016

For Release March 7, 2012
Railroad Retirement Informational Conference

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board has scheduled an Informational Conference for Friday, May 4, 2012, from 8:00 AM. to 12:15 PM., at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 5120 Victory Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46203. The LaQuinta Inn is located on the southeast corner of the I-465/Emerson Avenue intersection on the south side of Indianapolis. Pre-registration is required by April 4, 2012. This conference is open to union officers, members and their spouses. You may download the registration form from the TCU's Online Library.

 

For Release February 10, 2012
Back Pay & Lump Sum Payments Update

Norfolk Southern Railway has advised they are currently processing the back pay and lump sum payments due to members of the Carmen Division of TCU. The carrier expects such payments will be made timely as stipulated in the new National Agreement. Payments should be received by March 4, 2012.

For Release January 13, 2012

Rockville, Maryland - The TCU Carmen National Agreement became effective January 4, 2012. The complete agreement is available in the Members' Online Library.

For Release December 22, 2011
TCU Carmen and Clerks Overwhelmingly Ratify National Contract

Rockville, Maryland - TCU Carmen and Clerical members have ratified contracts with the national freight carriers by resounding margins.

86% of Carmen voted in favor of the contract.
93% of Clerical members voted in favor of the contract.

“I am gratified by these record votes,” said TCU President Robert Scardelletti. “It was a hard fight to achieve a contract with wages and benefits worthy of our members’ ratification. And we did fight, all the way to a Presidential Emergency Board. The results speak for themselves.”

The carriers have been notified of the results, and they have sixty days to issue retroactive checks, and ninety days to pay the bonus. TCU will work with the carriers to expedite the implementation of the wage increases, and the handling of the retroactive and bonus checks.

For Release December 2, 2011
No Rail Strike December 6

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the American Train Dispatchers Association reached tentative agreements with the National Carriers Conference Committee on December 1, 2011, to settle their national contracts.


On the same date, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes agreed with the carriers to extend the cooling off period from December 6, 2011 to February 8, 2012, to allow further discussion of the union’s request to increase reimbursements for away-from-home expenses.

With these developments, there is now no possibility of a strike on December 6.

 

For Release November 28, 2011
Ratification Packets Mailed to All Members

Ratification packets have been printed and mailed to every member covered under the Tentative Agreement with the National Freight Railroads.

Both Clerks and Carmen will receive a packet in the mail including:
  • Message from National President Bob Scardelletti
  • Summary Highlights of the Tentative Agreement
  • Complete Text of the 2011 Agreement
  • Postcard Ratification Ballot

Carmen members will additionally have a letter from Carmen Division President Richard Johnson.

Please remember that the signed ballot must be returned to TCU no later than December 22, 2011 in order to be counted.

"This agreement delivers excellent increases in compensation while holding the line on employee health care costs, I strongly urge every member to vote yes,” said TCU President Bob Scardelletti.


Click here to view the Carmen Ratification Packet.

Click here to view the Clerical Ratification Packet.

Click here to view the detailed summary of the changes to the health and welfare of the agreements.

Click here to read the PEB report.

Questions concerning the proposed agreement, ratification or balloting procedures, should be directed to tcuvote@tcunion.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

For Release November 18, 2011
National Agreement Ratification Process

Three of the coalition partners with TCU in national negotiations have made agreements mirroring the Presidential Emergency Board’s (PEB) recommendations. The International Association of Machinists (IAM), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) each reached tentative agreements with the railroads involved in National bargaining.

Four unions from the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC) also made agreements based on the PEB recommendations. The four organizations are the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.

Two other RLBC-represented organizations, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes are without an agreement and remain in negotiations with the National Rail Carriers.

The PEB report was released on November 5.

TCU has prepared ratification packets for every member covered under the Tentative Agreement with the National Freight Railroads. Both Clerks and Carmen will receive a packet in the mail including:
  • Message from National President Bob Scardelletti
  • Summary Highlights of the Tentative Agreement
  • Complete Text of the 2011 Agreement
  • Postcard Ratification Ballot

Carmen members will additionally have a letter from Carmen Division President Richard Johnson.

The packets have been sent to the printer and have a target mailing date of November 28, 2011. The ballot portion must be returned to TCU no later than December 22, 2011.

For questions or concerns about the ratification or balloting procedures, please direct your emails to tcuvote@tcunion.org.

 

For Release November 14, 2011
TCU CARMEN AND CLERKS REACH TENTATIVE NATIONAL AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION OF THE MEMBERSHIP


The Agreements mirror exactly the recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board 243. 


TCU is in the process of preparing ratification packages that will be sent to each Carmen and Clerical member working on a railroad covered by national bargaining.

Additional information will be provided just as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, every member should take the time to read the extremely comprehensive report issued by Presidential Emergency Board 243, which is posted in the online library.

Carmen Division General President Richard Johnson and National President Robert A. Scardelletti strongly urge ratification. They point to the outstanding wage increases of 20.1% over 6 years, plus a 1% bonus, at a time when most contracts in the United States are coming in at far less.

"It's been a very difficult two years of bargaining, but in the end we have prevailed,” said National President Scardelletti. “By standing tough and going to a PEB, we achieved more than we ever could have at the bargaining table. We also achieved more than what the carriers claimed was the pattern settlement. By any measure, this agreement delivers excellent increases in compensation while holding the line on employee health care costs.”

For Release November 6, 2011
PEB 243 Issues Recommendations

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, Presidential Emergency Board 243 issued its recommendations for resolution of the contract dispute between TCU Clerks and Carmen, as well as ten other rail labor unions, with the national freight carriers, including Burlington Northern Santa Fe, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Soo Line, Union Pacific and 23 other railroads.

The Report’s key recommendations are for 20.1% in compounded wage increases over a 6 year period, plus a 1% lump sum bonus. It also recommends maintaining the current health insurance employee contribution at $200 until July, 2016. That recommendation was explicitly tied to adoption of the UTU health and welfare plan design changes, but on a delayed implementation schedule.

Negotiations between TCU, its coalition partners (ATDA, IAM, IBEW and TWU), and the national freight railroads have been scheduled for November 10-11 and 14-15.

The wage increase recommendations of the Board are as follows:

  • July 1, 2010: 2.0%
  • July 1, 2011: 2.5%
  • July 1, 2012: 4.3%
  • July 1, 2013: 3.0%
  • July 1, 2014: 3.8%
  • January 1, 2015: 3.0%

Upon signing, the PEB recommended that employees receive a lump sum payment upon ratification equal to 1% of straight-time earnings paid to each employee for the 12 month period November 1, 2010 through October 31, 2011. This payment will be calculated after applying the July 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011 wage increases. The 1% bonus will also be in addition to the retroactive payment of 2% on all earnings (including overtime) for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, and the retroactive payment of 4.5% on all earnings (including overtime) for the period July 1, 2011 through date of signing.

“We intend to negotiate seriously over this recommendation,” says TCU President Bob Scardelletti. “It contains wage increases well beyond what was available to us in the carrier’s last offer based on the UTU deal. Over the six years, the contract produces more than $30,000 for the average TCU member.”

“We are disappointed in the Board’s recommendation of the UTU health insurance plan design changes” adds Scardelletti. “We put on a vigorous case that our Health Plan should be left alone. The PEB rejected our argument. But they did recommend keeping the employee contribution at $200 through at least July, 2016, which is a tremendous benefit.”

“And the delayed and partial implementation of the UTU plan design changes will result in more money in our members’ pockets than was offered us in the UTU deal,” Scardelletti says.

Under the Board’s recommendations, the plan design changes will be delayed until July 1, 2012. At that time, managed care deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will be introduced on a 50% basis, with the managed care deductible at $100 single/$200 family, and the out-of-pocket maximums set at $500 single/$1,000 family for the rest of that year. On January 1, 2013, managed care deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will be set for the next year at 75% of the full amount – deductibles at $150 single/$300 family, and out-of-pocket maximums at $750 single/$1500 maximum. Managed care deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will increase to their maximum amounts on January 1, 2014: deductibles at $200 single/$400 family and out-of-pocket maximums at $1,000 single/$2,000 family.

The PEB emphasized that many of the recommended changes, such as lowering the cost of generic drugs and urgent care visits, will save employees money. In their view, on balance the health care changes are significantly less costly for employees than to continue with the current plan with the 15% employee contribution.

The PEB recommendations were received Saturday evening, November 5, in a comprehensive, 92 page Report. The Report detailed both sides’ arguments for their respective positions, and explained how the Board arrived at its ultimate recommendations. The bottom line was a wage recommendation that exceeded both the carrier offer at the bargaining table and to the Board.

The PEB hearings were held for six days in Washington, D.C. on October 13, 14, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Each side presented two full days of testimony, with the final two day reserved for rebuttal and meetings with the Board.

TCU President Scardelletti was the lead witness and spokesman for all eleven rail unions at the PEB. He argued forcefully for the unions’ wage proposals and its demand to maintain the status quo on health insurance, with no plan design changes. He emphasized the carriers’ record economic health.

TCU Vice President and Special Assistant to the President Joel Parker later testified on behalf of all the eleven unions on the health insurance issues, arguing that the $200 monthly contribution must not be raised, and again that the UTU plan design changes should be rejected.

Other witnesses included BRS President Dan Pickett, IAM District 19 President Joe Duncan on behalf of the shop craft unions’ craft specific proposals, and various spokesmen from the individual unions for their unique craft demands.

The foundation of the unions’ case was expert testimony by Labor Economist Tom Roth. On health care, actuarial consultant Cheiron, Inc. testified on behalf of the unions’ position.

The carriers’ witnesses argued that the UTU settlement was the pattern, and represented a very generous agreement in light of other current union settlements at a time of low inflation. The carriers focused on the relative richness of the national health plan in terms of benefits and employee share of costs compared to the vast majority of other plans, including collectively bargained ones.

The PEB was appointed by President Obama and was comprised of renowned labor arbitrators: Chairman Ira Jaffe, Members Roberta Golick, Josh Javits, Gilbert Vernon and Arnold Zack.

Under the Railway Labor Act, the parties have thirty days from the issuance of the Report to reach agreement. Failing that, a union or unions could strike, and/or the carriers can impose their proposals.

“We intend to bargain to an agreement, based on the Board’s recommendations,” says TCU President Scardelletti. “The PEB recommendations deliver tangible, real wage gains far beyond what is occurring anywhere else in the country. We cannot risk letting the anti-labor diehards in the Republican Congress get a chance to overturn these findings if we fail to reach an agreement. We will negotiate hard in the next two weeks for the best possible implementation of the Report. Our goal is to reach an agreement to submit to ratification by our membership.”

Click here to read the full report from Presidential Emergency Board 243.

 

For Release October 28, 2011
PEB 243 Hearings

Presidential Emergency Board 243 that was established on October 6, 2011, held six days of hearings beginning on October 14. At those hearings the Carriers and TCU (jointly with 10 other Rail Unions) made comprehensive presentations to the PEB covering wages, rules and health and welfare. We held firm to our position that the UTU agreement does not set the pattern for the 11 unions that were not a party to that agreement and that our members deserve enhancements in wages and health and welfare benefits rather than givebacks.

Under the Railway Labor Act the PEB must render its recommendations within 30 days of the date it was established which means a decision is due no later than November 6, 2011, after which another 30 day cooling off period will begin to give the parties a chance to reach an agreement considering the recommendations of the PEB. The members of the PEB may, however, request an extension of time to render their recommendations. We will advise of the Board's recommendations as soon as they are received.

For Release October 6, 2011
Presidential Emergency Board Established

This is to advise that President Obama has appointed a 5 member panel to a Presidential Emergency Board. Accordingly, there will be NO rail strike by ANY union. More details will be available shortly. Please advise your committeemen and members by the fastest communication possible.

Fraternally,

Steve Wilhelm
 

For Release September 6, 2011
NMB Releases TCU from Mediation

September 6, 2011 -- The National Mediation Board (NMB) today terminated its mediation services in national negotiations involving TCU and the nation’s freight carriers.

The NMB’s release of the parties was required by the Railway Labor Act once TCU rejected the Board’s proffer of arbitration on September 2. The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC), the bargaining arm of the freight railroads, accepted the arbitration proffer. Both parties would have had to accept for binding arbitration to occur.

The Board simultaneously released the other ten rail unions still bargaining for a national contract.

The Board’s release begins a thirty day cooling off period which will last until 12:01 a.m. October 7, 2011. At the end of that time, either party could resort to self-help.

However, it is widely expected that sometime before the end of the cooling off period, the NMB will recommend to President Obama that he appoint a Presidential Emergency Board, and that he will do so. It is expected that one PEB will be created to hear the dispute of all eleven unions, including TCU Clerks and Carmen, with the NCCC.

 

For Release August 19, 2011
TCU Lodge 6047
in Knoxville, Tennessee
to Host Major Training Event

TCU Lodge 6047 will host a Local Chairmen Educational Seminar September 13 and 14, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The seminar is geared to update local chairmen and other lodge officers of TCU Unit 200, about topics such as representing members in formal investigations, protecting your members under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, writing grievance claims, fair representation, Resolution 51, the 2012 IAM Grand Lodge Convention, Resolution 32, protecting your members under the Federal Railroad Safety Act, researching awards online, filling out railroad company reports, and the importance of receiving hazmat training.

The seminar will be sponsored by the C. Marshall Friedman Law Firm, www.marshallfriedman.com. For additional details contact Carl Lakin at carllakin@hotmail.com.

 

For Release June 15, 2011
Statement by TCU President Bob Scardelletti
Rejecting the UTU Agreement
as a Basis for a National Settlement


June 15, 2011 -- Rockville, Maryland, TCU and its coalition partners reject the terms of the tentative UTU agreement with the national freight carriers as a basis for voluntarily settling the national contract.

The other coalition involved in national negotiations has also rejected the UTU agreement as a pattern for settlement.

That means that every union in national bargaining has now rejected the UTU tentative agreement as a basis for settlement.

We believe that 17% in wage increases over six years is not a fair settlement in light of the carriers’ record profitability, nor do we accept the need for the radical restructuring of our health plan.

The agreement does contain significant additional economic gains for UTU members -- certification pay, bonuses and enhancements for rate progression employees -- which apparently were used to entice the UTU to agree to almost the exact same plan design concessions that our coalition rejected back in April. Even if the carriers offered the full value of cert pay and the rate progression bonuses and shortening, it would still not be enough to make this an acceptable agreement.

For 18 months our coalition’s position has never wavered, and it will not now. The carriers are racking up record profits, at a pace double than what they did during our last bargaining round. There is no reason for a single concession in this environment, let alone major cost shifting to employees in health care. Nor can we or will we accept a wage settlement inferior to what we achieved last round.

The health care changes in the UTU agreement are unacceptable on two counts. First, the magnitude of the savings to the Plan is tremendous, over $4,600 per employee over five years. Of that, over $3,700 is in the form of direct cost shifting to the employee. The rest comes from changes, in many cases onerous, to the way employees will get treatments and drugs. It is outrageous that Medco will now have veto power over major drugs that doctors prescribe.

Secondly, I disagree with the whole idea of pushing insurance costs onto those who most need it by upping user costs. That’s what insurance is for – to protect you when you’re sick and most need it. Under the UTU agreement’s unprecedented introduction of deductibles and coinsurance to managed care, the sickest employees will be hit with huge bills. That’s not my idea of a fair insurance plan.

We don’t see the need for any negative changes to our health care plan given the carriers’ unprecedented prosperity. Every quarter they report new records in profits and earnings. All of that has been achieved under our current plan. Why would we agree to give them more than a half billion in concessionary savings in that environment? How much is enough?

I have long done everything in my power to enhance the carriers’ economic returns provided it did not come at the expense of employees. I have stood with them against reregulation, environmentalists’ assaults on coal, and any number of efforts that would adversely impact their economic health.
And I will continue to do so. I continue to believe that it is in our best interest to have the healthiest, most profitable employers in the country. And we do. Now it’s time for them to share their prosperity with the employees who contribute so much. It is not a time to give back anything.

I am proud to be bargaining in a coalition with the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), the International Association of Machinists (IAM), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU). Each of these strong unions has unequivocally rejected the UTU agreement as a pattern for our settlements.

Our coalition demanded to be released from mediation last December and again in February. The NMB rejected our request the first time, and has not responded to our February request.

Now, in the face of the UTU agreement, the other coalition of unions has also requested the NMB to release them from mediation. That coalition is comprised of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen/IBT, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes/IBT, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers/SEIU, and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.

Our coalition met with the other coalition last week. We agreed that we could work together before a single Presidential Emergency Board. Not a single union in national bargaining outside the UTU believes that the health care changes in the UTU agreement are in any way acceptable, or that the wage increases are sufficient.

We plan to renew our demand for release at NMB-called negotiations scheduled for June 28 and 29. The NMB insists that we meet again with the carriers even though we have continuously stated that we will not make a single concession in our health care plan. The NMB should release us as soon as possible. We are fully prepared to make a strong case to a Presidential Emergency Board.

We are clearly at impasse. The NMB must not delay releasing us because of the UTU’s lengthy ratification process. We will be at impasse whether the UTU agreement ratifies or not. We will never voluntarily agree to these terms.

The carriers have already stated that the UTU agreement, less the additional compensation to UTU employees, is a pattern for all other Unions to accept. That will not fly. That package is DOA.

We cannot and will not be held hostage to an agreement we had no say over. An agreement that falls far short of a fair and just settlement. An agreement that we believe was achieved through cynical and devious horse trading where one union was offered gains in return for agreeing to changes in health insurance that the carriers assume will be shoved down the throat of every other union, even though they knew that all the other unions opposed these changes. An agreement that would drastically diminish the health benefits of over 400,000 rail workers and their dependents, and subject an additional 31,000 retirees and dependents to restrictive drug constraints.

Brothers and Sisters, we did not come this far to simply roll over because someone made an agreement. We will fight with every ounce of power our Union has. We will fight for as long as it takes and we will do whatever it takes. Brothers and Sisters, we will prevail.

 

For Release June 4, 2011
TCU's position regarding the UTU Tentative Agreement

UTU presented the Agreement to its General Chairmen at a meeting on June 2. The UTU reports that
the General Chairmen unanimously approved the Agreement. The UTU membership ratification process
is quite involved. The UTU estimates that ratification will not be concluded until possibly October this
year.


“We are in the process of analyzing the agreement from every angle, costing out every component,
including the health care changes they made. We are also talking to all the other unions in our
coalition and the RLBC to see if a common response can be achieved,” said TCU President Bob
Scardelletti. “Until that occurs, I am officially making no comment on the agreement. However, I did
want everyone to have a copy of the Agreement.” Click here to view the agreement.

For Release June 4, 2011
Record Pay Boost in UTU Tentative Rail Pact

A 17 percent pay increase, retention of the $200 monthly cap on healthcare cost-sharing, FRA certification pay, a faster process for new hires to reach full pay rates, and no rollback of the January 2011
cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) highlight the new five-year national rail agreement negotiated between the UTU and the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC).

Railroads represented by the NCCC include BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and many smaller railroads. Some 38,000 UTU members, including yardmasters, are covered by the tentative new agreement.

UTU District 1 general chairpersons voted unanimously June 2 to submit the tentative agreement to the membership for ratification under the craft autonomy provisions of the UTU constitution. The general
chairpersons also voted unanimously to recommend ratification.

General chairpersons now have until June 20 to submit questions regarding details of the tentative agreement. The questions will be submitted to the NCCC for answers. The agreed upon questions and answers will become part of the tentative contract submitted to the membership for ratification.

Additionally, forums will be scheduled nationwide at which UTU International officers will brief members on the contract's details and respond to member questions. A ratification vote will later be scheduled.

"In the 41-year history of the UTU, this wage increase is the highest in excess of the current and projected consumer price index," said UTU International President Mike Futhey. The Consumer Price Index, or CPI,
is a barometer of prices for goods and services as measured by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Combined with the previous agreement this administration reached with the NCCC in January 2008, our members will realize a more than 40 percent increase in their base wages at the conclusion of this
agreement, if it is ratified," Futhey said. "A UTU member earning $80,000 in 2007 will be earning about $112,000 on the same job by 2015."

The tentative agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010, and extends through Dec. 31, 2014. The contract provides that retroactive pay, commencing with the July 1, 2010, increase, will be made by the carriers
within 60 days of the effective date of the final agreement.

The cap on employee healthcare cost contributions is a major provision of the tentative agreement. The $200 cap on monthly contributions compares with an average of more than $330 monthly paid by workers in other industries.

Without the negotiated $200 cap, and under provisions of current UTU agreements, UTU member healthcare cost contributions could soar to $355 monthly by 2015.

To retain the current $200 monthly cap, adjustments are made to copayments to reflect more economical ways to purchase medicines and reduce plan costs.

A new annual deductible is capped at $200 per individual ($400 per family), and an out-of-pocket maximum of $1,000 per individual ($2,000 per family) can be reached only if family medical costs exceed $40,000, which statistically affects only 2 percent of members.

The national rail agreement's five-year entry rates provision has been amended to four years. Individuals under the five-year plan -- as of May 1 and until the effective date of the final agreement -- will receive a
one-time $3,000 payment. Individuals on properties with modified service-scale rules will receive a one-time payment of $1,200. Individuals under entry-rate agreements that commence at 90 percent, and
increase to 100 percent within two years, shall not receive a bonus payment.

Additionally, the tentative agreement provides that local agreements may be negotiated -- not subject to binding arbitration if the sides cannot agree -- for alternative compensation, compensated leave, compensation enhancement, and electronic bidding and bumping.

Yardmasters have essentially the same agreement, but with additional pay increases unique to their craft.

For Release April 5, 2011
April Union Dues Assessment

This is to advise that due to unforeseen circumstances the $10 dues assessment effective April 2011, was not implemented in time to be deducted from the employees 1st half payroll in March which pays April’s dues.  Therefore, in order to collect the $10 assessment covering the month of April, the Norfolk Southern Payroll Department will deduct an additional $5 spread out over the next couple of months.  This additional $5 deduction will be reflected on the employees paycheck dated, April 8 and May 6.  Normal dues deductions which include the $10 assessment will resume effectively on the employees paycheck dated, June 3.

Fraternally yours,
Roger Cain
International Representative, Unit 200
 

For Release March 30, 2011
Railroad Retirement Informational Conference

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board has scheduled an Informational Conference for Friday, June 3, 2011, from 8:00 AM. to 12:30 PM., at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 5120 Victory Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46203. The LaQuinta Inn is located on the southeast corner of the I-465/Emerson Avenue intersection on the south side of Indianapolis. Pre-registration is required by May 3, 2011. This conference is open to union officers, members and their spouses. You may download the registration form from the TCU's Online Library.

For Release February 23, 2011
Hazmat Training Classes

Please see attached letter as well as application forms from Assistant General President Alex Novakovic concerning the Hazmat training classes scheduled for this year. If you are a newly elected LC or committeeman and have not attended these classes, I highly recommend you seriously consider applying to attend one of these classes. You will note both classes do not pay the same expenses so pay close attention to the letter. It is usually customary for the local Lodge to help with some of the expenses. This is of course is contingent upon a vote of approval by the Local Lodge.

Upon approval from your Lodge, please do not waist any time getting your applications turned in as the classes fill up fast. We only have a limited number of slots designated for Carmen. Please be sure to follow AGP Novakovic's instructions for your application and note your elected/appointed position with the Union on the form. Please also provide me or Steve a copy of your application in order that we may help to secure you a spot. We would prefer to send Local Chairmen and Committeemen first. However, if you have already attended a HAZMAT class or can't attend these classes and an active Union member who regularly participates in Union functions you may also recommend them.

Please remember there is not a better way to spend a Union dollar than one spent on the education and safety of our membership.

Download the application form and schedule

Fraternally,

Roger E. Cain
International Representative, Unit 200


 

 

For Release January 28, 2011
National Mediation Board releases TCU

On January 26, 2011, the National Mediation Board (NMB) released TCU and all other Coalition unions from further mediated bargaining with the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR).

The release starts a 30 day clock running; at the end of which self-help by either side would be available commencing February 26, 2011. However, it is extremely likely that the White House will appoint a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) before the thirty days expire.

As these negotiations are covered by Section 9a of the Railway Labor Act, which govern commuter railroads, the Governor of Massachusetts can demand the creation of a PEB even if the White House doesn’t act.

Assuming a PEB is appointed before February 26, it would have thirty additional days to hold hearings and render its non-binding recommendations. However, under the protracted requirements of 9a, the parties could not resort to self-help until after a second PEB is convened and issues its recommendations. The entire process from beginning to end could take as long as 240 days.

“Our goal and that of the other coalition unions remains to reach a negotiated agreement,” says TCU President Bob Scardelletti. “No one wants to wait several more months for resolution, and we certainly want to settle this without a strike.”

“However, so far the company persists with unacceptable demands for major cost shifting in our health plans and insufficient wage increases,” adds Scardelletti. “Hopefully the NMB’s action in moving the process to the next step will influence MBCR to reconsider its position, because our members will settle for nothing less than a fair agreement.”

Three TCU crafts are bargaining on MBCR: Carmen, Clerks, and Supervisors. All were released. TCU has been bargaining with nine other unions in a Coalition. All were released. The PEB, when appointed, will involve all Coalition unions. The only MBCR unions not in the Coalition are UTU, which recently withdrew, and the BLE.

The releases followed TCU and the other Coalition unions’ rejection of the NMB’s offer of binding arbitration to settle the dispute. MBCR accepted the arbitration proffer, but under the law, both sides would have had to accept. “TCU and the Coalition collectively decided it was not in our best interest to have a contract determined by an arbitrator,” says President Scardelletti, “which would have deprived our members of having the chance to ratify it.”

Click here to read the NMB release letter for Clerks.

Click here to read the NMB release letter for Carmen.
 

 

For Release January 2, 2011
Updated February 1, 2011 due to resignation
Lodge 6760 Election Results

Lodge 6760 officers elected in December 2010 are:

Michael Bleser, President
Robert Reisinger, Vice President
Michael Merna, Recording Secretary (resigned 1-2011)
Michael Merna, Financial Secretary-Treasurer (resigned 1-2011)
Kevin Hite, Recording Secretary, by appointment
Kevin Hite, Financial Secretary-Treasurer, by appointment
Kevin Hite, Board of Trustees Chairman, promoted 1-2011
Shawn Fensler, Board of Trustees Chairman, by appointment 1-2011
Shawn Fensler, Board of Trustees Member, promoted 1-2011
Ben Melton, Board of Trustees Member
Michael R. Fisher, Board of Trustees Member, by appointment 1-2011
Jerry Kinser, Alternate Delegate

Elected officers begin their three-year term effective January 1, 2011

For Release December 21, 2010
MBCR Responds to TCU’s Request for Arbitration
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters:


TCU and the other unions in the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) Labor Coalition are asking the NMB to release them from mediation and proffer arbitration. MBCR has responded as expected and argued that a release would be premature at this time.

Two days of talks on November 3 and 4 failed to produce an agreement. This comes after two years of fruitless negotiations. The NMB assigned its Senior Mediator to these talks in an effort to get an agreement. But MBCR would not come up with an acceptable wage and health insurance proposal.

The NMB now has to decide whether to release the parties by proffering arbitration. If it does, the Coalition unions have decided not to accept binding arbitration. At that point, the NMB will most likely recommend to the White House the establishment of a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). Under Section 9A of the Railway Labor Act, which governs commuter bargaining, there will be two PEB’s in a process that can last as much as 240 days.

“Given how long bargaining has already dragged on, and the almost interminable provisions of 9A, we strongly hope that the NMB will act and move the process forward,” said TCU President Scardelletti.  “Our members deserve no less.”

In other MBCR news, the UTU has decided to drop out of the MBCR Labor Coalition. The UTU had been a member of the coalition for health and welfare issues only.

In solidarity,

Robert A. Scardelletti
TCU International President

For Release November 24, 2010
National Contract Negotiations

With negotiations going nowhere with the nation’s freight carriers and commuter operator Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR), TCU and its coalition partners are asking the National Mediation Board (NMB) to proffer arbitration in both sets of talks. “We need to move the process forward in both negotiations,” says TCU President Robert Scardelletti. For details on each negotiation, see the articles below. TCU TALKS WITH NATIONAL FREIGHT CARRIERS AT IMPASSE Faced with demands by the nation’s freight carriers for major cost shifting in the national health plan, TCU and its coalition partners are asking the NMB to release the parties from mediation and to move the negotiations to the next step. Click here to see letter to NMB from TCU. “Every national carrier is enjoying record profits and performance, in the face of a recession that is hurting most other industries,” says President Scardelletti. “We are demanding that the carriers share that prosperity with our members, who have contributed so much to the railroads’ success. There is absolutely no reason to undermine our health insurance plan by making employees pay more than they already do.” The NMB will now consider TCU’s request. If they agree the talks are at impasse, they will proffer binding arbitration to both sides. TCU and the other unions in its bargaining coalition will reject the proffer. At that point it is likely that the NMB will recommend to the White House that a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) be convened. The PEB process can take as much as 90 days, after which the Board will issue non-binding recommendations. The recommendations can lead to a voluntary settlement. If they don’t, either side can resort to self-help after 30 days of the PEB report. Other unions bargaining with TCU Clerks and Carmen are the IAM, IBEW, ATDA, and TWU. TCU ASKS TO BE RELEASED ON MBCR TCU and the other 11 unions in the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Labor Coalition are in the process of asking the NMB to release them from mediation and proffer arbitration. Two days of talks on November 3 and 4 failed to produce an agreement. This comes after two years of fruitless negotiations. The NMB assigned its Senior Mediator to these talks in what might have been a last ditch effort to get an agreement. But MBCR would not come up with an acceptable wage and insurance proposal. The NMB will now have to decide whether to release the parties by proffering arbitration. If it does, the Coalition unions have decided not to accept binding arbitration. At that point, the NMB will most likely recommend to the White House the establishment of a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). Under Section 9A of the Railway Labor Act, which governs commuter bargaining, there will be two PEB’s in a process that can last as much as 240 days. “Given how long bargaining has already dragged on, and the almost interminable provisions of 9A, we strongly hope that the NMB will act and move the process forward,” says TCU President Scardelletti. “Our members deserve no less.”

For Release November 24, 2010
GA-46000 Lifetime Benefit Increase

The lifetime maximum under the negotiated medical plan for early retirees will increase by $7,300 from $118,900 to $126,200, effective January 1, 2011, due to automatic adjustments based on medical cost inflation. The change affects members enrolled in the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Plan (UnitedHealthcare Policay GA-46000).

This early retirement Plan provides a bridge of medical insurance coverage for those employees retiring before age 65 who do not year qualify for Medicare, and the Plan is available to qualified retirees and eligible dependents at no cost to the individual. Generally, retirees between ages 60 and 65 with at least 360 months (30 years) of railroad service may participate in the Plan so long as they had coverage on the day before their retirement under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan.

In solidarity,

Robert A. Scardelletti
International President
 

For Release November 5, 2010
Nominations of Lodge Officers

Nominations for Lodge Officers will be accepted at the November 18, 2010 meeting. The nomination meeting will be held at the Berwick Manor Restaurant, 3250 Refugee Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232. First session is from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The second session is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Official letters of notification of the upcoming nomination meeting were sent first class mail to all members of the lodge on October 15, 2010. If any member of this Lodge did not receive the notice, then your address of record is not current. You are therefore encouraged to advise your Vice Local Chairman of your current address, and instruct him to forward such information to the Lodge Financial Secretary-Treasurer. 

 

Nominations will be accepted for the following offices which take effect January 1, 2011 and run for three year-terms:

President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Financial Secretary-Treasurer
Chairman Local Protective Committee - Delegate (Local Chairman)
Alternate Delegate
Board of Trustees Chairman
Board of Trustees Members (2)

 

For Release October 20, 2010
Union Dues Assessment

Per our many conversations, I am attaching two informational sheets to assist you in the support of the assessment scheduled for next April, 2011. Currently our records indicate that the monthly dues for Local Lodges vary somewhat, but average around $800 per year per member. The total annual cost to the employer for a railroad Carman is $91,027.68. These wages and benefits are solely as a result of a TCU negotiated and enforced agreement.

International President Robert A. Scardelletti wanted me to convey to you that the $10 assessment amounts to only a few cents per hour or about $0.33 cents a day based on a thirty day month. This small amount will insure our Union can continue to function in representing the membership in a manner that protects the hard fought gains we often times take for granted. The decision to add an assessment by your Executive Council was one that was not taken lightly. You should note that President Scardelletti has done everything he could to cut costs and avoid such situation. As a note, he has reduced the number of Union officer’s jobs by 85 as well as cut an additional 15 staff positions. We (full time Union reps) have all consolidated jobs and taken on much heavier work loads to help. This resulted in a savings of almost 4 million dollars. We have shifted many administrative duties over to the IAM. However, through all of these very hard cuts and changes it simply was still not enough. As I have discussed with many of you, the numbers do not lie. Our membership has declined by almost 11,000 members in just five short years. This has resulted in an annual dues loss of about $ 6.2 million dollars per year. It is very expensive for a Union of our caliber to operate. Some members do not realize that the Union endures all cost for its employees. Many members take for granted that for Union officers to have the same level of benefits as the members they represent, the Union must pay all these costs. The most obvious and most expensive cost to Unions, of course, is health care for its employees. It costs the Union almost double for its employees to have health care compared to the Carrier picking up this cost for our members as a result of our Union negotiated contracts. You also cannot forget that as a result of our contracts, the Carrier picks up the full cost of administering the 401k plans as well as paying the high employer tax for RRB. We (your Union) negotiated all these benefits for you and your members. The Union has shifted all these costs to the Carriers instead of our membership. For Union employees to have the same level benefits it has to endure all these cost for its employees. TCU contracts by any standard are, without a doubt, some of the best in our country. Without a strong TCU, the employer would grind us into poverty. The Carrier would not take on all these expenses unless they were required to by our contracts.

I want you all to read an e-mail sent by one of our members who really understands the big picture:

"I have been a member of Brotherhood Of Railway Carman since 1973. My first lodge was Winner lodge 419 in E. St. Louis and my present lodge is 6762 in Kansas City KS. I have had a very good life because of the railroads and THE UNION who represented me and my coworkers. Thank you and all you do for our Brothers and Sisters that are represented by TCU. $10 is not much considering all that you do for us. So God bless you and spend it well."

Remember these things when talking with your membership about this assessment:

The Union is not responsible for the economic downturn of this country. The Union does not dictate how many members are working at a location. The Carriers have historically practiced furloughing members when there is a decline of traffic. The railroad will not recall furloughed members until the traffic picks back up. Currently we have members taking short cuts and working without blue flag protection, performing inspections from motor vehicles, not walking brakes, inspecting one side of trains, which all plays into the company hands that they do not need as many Carmen to get the work done. Statements such as the Union does not do anything for its members is ludicrous. We protect your seniority, benefits, and fight for dismissed members every day. We currently are fighting the greedy carriers in National Negotiation for a higher rate of pay and better benefits as I write this e-mail.

Steve and I know what you all are going through. We have walked in your shoes. We personally thank each of you for your unwavering and sometimes unrecognized support of our Union. We know you are the forefront and backbone of this Union. Keep strong Brothers and rest assured we are fighting for you and our members everyday.


In solidarity,

Roger Cain
International Representative, Unit 200

Download the Carmen Wage & Benefit Value Report

 

For Release August 31, 2010
Rail Employee Wins Harassment Case

It looks like times may be changing with this injury thing. As we all have discussed before it has been a constant problem for us for many, many years. I have also found out that there was a recent meeting held by the FRA. The meeting was about the Carriers under reporting or not wanting to report injuries. At the meeting it was discussed that the FRA is now going after the Carriers under the new Safety Law in acted by congress for intimidation and harassment when an employee is injured. They have done a audit on CSX and found numerous violations. They have now gone after CSX to pay fines. After the audit CSX fired many of the officials. The FRA is now working with OSHA to make the fines for these offenses much greater than ever before  It looks like the old railroad tactics are going to be curtailed and the FRA is finally helping us out with combating this. If you or any of your members are approached by the FRA and/or asked questions please do not be intimidated to talk to them. This is the only way we are ever going to stop this harassment and intimidation. Thanks to the current administrations appointments in the FRA we finally have people in place to fight for us instead of the Carriers. Please keep this in mind when it comes election time again. We are finally making some big strides after 8 years of losing ground. I would ask for you all to realize we often only dwell on the negative things when it comes to politics and/or what the news media feeds us. You would never get this story from Fox news. I would hope you will all see some of the positive effects from our friends controlling the House and Senate such as the great changes that are currently taking place within the FRA. Highlights of the case are below:

Roger Cain
TCU International Representative

Subject: Amtrak Coach Cleaner Award for Harassment and Intimidation when injured.

While Amtrak claimed it fired the claimant for failing to exercise common sense, Administrative Law Judge Steven B. Berlin concluded otherwise, finding that the claimant established at trial that Amtrak retaliated against her in violation of the Federal Railroad Safety Act for reporting her work-related injury.

Explaining the $100,000 punitive damages award, the judge wrote, "Amtrak's conduct reflects a degree of conscious disregard for how its practices obstruct Congress's mandate in the Federal Rail Safety Act. Punitive damages are appropriate to correct and deter this conduct."

OSHA launched an investigation into the matter after one of the claimant's co-workers reported Amtrak's action to the agency's Seattle regional office. Amtrak reduced its discipline of the claimant from termination to a 30-day suspension without pay while OSHA's investigation was pending.

Following a thorough investigation, OSHA concluded in October 2008 that Amtrak terminated the claimant in retaliation for reporting her ankle sprain, and ordered the railroad to pay the worker her lost wages, expunge her employment file, and to pay her $20,000 in punitive damages for its illegal conduct. the claimant returned to work at Amtrak in January 2008, where she still works today.

Amtrak appealed OSHA's decision to the DOL's Office of Administrative Law Judges, and that appeal culminated in a trial de novo before Judge Berlin in June 2009. Attorney Fredric A. Bremseth represented the claimant at trial. This was the first case to be tried under a 2007 amendment to the Federal Railroad Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. §20109, that makes it illegal for railroads to retaliate against employees who report work-related injuries.

As the result of Amtrak's illegal conduct, Judge Berlin ordered the railroad to:

•Expunge the claimant's personal file of any disciplinary record or negative references related to her Oct. 1, 2007 injury accident;

•Amend its disciplinary records to show no more than a verbal warning in connection with the claimant's late arrival at a safety meeting and expunge the four-day suspension without pay that Amtrak imposed for that incident;

•Pay the claimant back pay in the amount of $2,666.67, plus interest from the date of termination until the date of payment at the rate prescribed by law;

•Pay the claimant $60,000 in punitive compensatory damages;
•Pay the claimant $100,000 in punitive damages; and
•Pay the claimant for her attorneys' fee and costs.

"This is an historic case," Bremseth said, "that vindicates Congressional findings that railroads do in fact engage in retaliation and harassment of injured employees in order to keep them from reporting work-related injuries." The attorney added, "We are very pleased for our client, and hope this landmark case will put railroads on notice that they can no longer intimidate their employees to keep them from reporting on-the-job injuries."

(Article courtesy of the Website ohsonline.com on August 31, 2010.)

Updated August 16, 2010
Norfolk Southern Hiring Carmen

Most of the Carmen and Fireman and Olier vacancies that have been available since January 19, 2010, have been filled. Below is a list of vacancies that are still available or will be available soon:

NS, Portsmouth, OH - substantial hiring at the car shop
NS, Altoona, PA - eight carmen
NS, Cincinnati, OH - one carman
NS, Fort Wayne, IN - two carmen - filled
NS, Norfolk, VA - three carmen
NS, Bluefield, WV - two carmen
NS, Enola, PA - four carmen
NS, Danville, KY - four carmen
 NS, Kansas City, MO - one carman
NS, Valdosta, GA - one carman
NS, Baltimore, MD - two carmen
NS, Enola/Harrisburg - three carmen
NS, Meridian, MS - one carman
NS, Memphis, TN - one carman, this position will be available soon.
NS, Linwoord, NC - one fireman and oiler service attendant

Note: Student Carmen will also be considered for the positions listed above.

Any Carman or Student Carman member of TCU interested in any of these open Carmen positions should send an email with their name, employee number, address, and a contact phone number to Roger Cain, International Representative, TCU Unit #200.

Fraternally yours,

Roger Cain
International Representative

 

For Release June 18, 2010
 Congressmen Unveil Rail-car Enhancement Act

The article below is as good as the RRB 60/30 retirement plan is, and a prime example as to why we donate to the MNPL. Remember the "NP" in MNPL means "non-partisan". You will note the bill is sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats. This is the reason we put so much importance into MNPL. We have to have folks on the hill to lobby both parties to pass such legislation. As all of you know we can not use Union dues for political funding. All funding must come from donations through MNPL. You have to have funding to get bills passed and your foot in their doors. I encourage all of you to contact you representatives and tell them to sponsor this bill if they have not already signed on. I also challenge you to sign up five new members each to MNPL.

Thanks,
Roger Cain
TCU International Representative

Subject: Congressmen unveil Rail-car Enhancement Act

On June 9, U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Kevin Brady (R-Texas), Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and John Tanner (D-Tenn.) introduced the Green Railcar Enhancement Act of 2010 (H.R. 5478), which would provide a 25 percent tax credit for replacing or rebuilding old rail cars, Progressive Railroading reported.

The tax credit would be limited to cars built in 2010 and 2011, and would require a minimum 8 percent increase in capacity or fuel efficiency.

The lawmakers believe the legislation can shift a portion of rail-car demand projected for between 2012 and 2014 to 2010 and 2011; help the rail-car supply industry survive this year and next; and ensure there's a domestic supply of rail cars when the market rebounds.

"This is bipartisan legislation that will save a critical domestic industry," said Blumenauer during a press conference held this morning, adding that the bill already has 50 co-sponsors.

The bill could generate the building or rebuilding of an additional 50,000 cars in 2010 and 2011 at an estimated tax-credit cost of about $800 million. The cost would be reduced by tax revenues generated from the additional economic activity. The bill also is expected to support 30,000 to 50,000 jobs, and enhance railroads' fuel efficiency and emission-reduction efforts by replacing old cars with new.

The rail-car industry -- which includes six car builders and 250 component suppliers -- has lost 54,000 jobs during the past 18 months, said American Railcar Industries Inc. Vice Chairman James Unger during the conference. In addition, rail-car deliveries have dropped from 75,000 units in 2006 to a projected total of less than 10,000 units for 2010.

Along with rail-car industry constituents, the 1,200 businesses that own rail cars will benefit from the bill, said Brady during the conference.

Efforts to enact H.R. 5478 are being spearheaded by the Railway Supply Institute's American Railcar Institute Committee and several freight-car component suppliers. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 

For Release June 17, 2010
Phil Amadon elected to
Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council

Rockville, Maryland -- TCU International President Robert Scardelletti announced that Lodge 6760 Past President Phil Amadon has been elected to the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council. He will represent the interests of rail labor, Lodge 6760 and TCU. Brother Amadon retired from rail service in March 2010. During his rail career Phil was active in the union movement and held many elected offices in his Lodge, including President the past 5 years until his retirement. Phil Amadon spent his career working passionately to preserve respect in the workplace for union employees. TCU will continue to benefit from his talents and dedication.

 

For Release February 26, 2010
AFL-CIO Calls on Whirlpool

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will deliver more than 65,000 petitions to Whirlpool Corp. management in Evansville, Ind., today. You know Whirlpool—the company that is shutting down the Evansville refrigerator plant, laying off 1,100 workers, sending jobs to Mexico, taking taxpayers’ economic recovery money—and now warning workers not to participate in today’s protest.
 
You don’t have to be in Evansville today to show your support for the workers, mostly IUE-CWA members, whose jobs are at stake. Take these three steps now:
 
1. Call Whirlpool Corp. toll free right now at 1-800-705-7083. Tell the company: Keep It Made in America and Save Our Jobs.
 
Here are some additional talking points for your call:

  • Despite enjoying healthy profits and getting more than $19 million in federal economic recovery funds, Whirlpool plans to start closing its Evansville, Ind., refrigerator plant on March 26.
  • Whirlpool will ship production of these refrigerators to Mexico, costing us 1,100 good, local, American jobs.
  • The pain of the plant closing will be felt not just by the working families that lose jobs, but also by local businesses, congregations and community organizations.
  • Whirlpool isn’t just abandoning its workers. It’s abandoning Evansville.

2. On Facebook? Share this story in solidarity with Evansville Whirlpool workers on Facebook.
 
3. On Twitter? Sign our act.ly petition to Whirlpool.

Thank you for your support and I know the proud IUE-CWA workers in Evansville are truly grateful for all you have done.

Marc Laitin
AFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator

 

For Release February 6, 2010
New Carmen's Executive Council Member

Rockville, Maryland -- Carmen General President Richard Johnson has appointed International Representative Roger Cain to the Brotherhood Railway Carmen's Executive Council. Brother Cain will fill the remainder of a five-year term, replacing Jack Wright who recently retired.

For Release December 18, 2009
Kevin Mitchell Elected Local Chairman

Fort Wayne, Indiana -- At the Lodge's December meeting, Brother Kevin Mitchell was elected by acclimation to the office of Local Chairman - Delegate of Lodge 6760. Local Chairman Mitchell assumed this office after President Phil Amadon confirmed the nomination and one vote cast by acclimation. Kevin has been serving as the Acting Local Chairman since September when the office was vacated due to the promotion of Past Local Chairman Steve Wilhelm. Kevin Mitchell becomes the twelfth Local Chairman in the Lodge's 117-year history. Kevin is a hard working individual, who has dedicated his energy for the advancement of the Brotherhood.

For Release December 18, 2009
Retirements and Changes at TCU in 2010

Rockville, Maryland -- TCU International President Bob Scardelletti announced several staff changes at TCU Headquarters to become effective January 1, 2010. “This New Year brings about some changes, TCU is saying goodbye to great leaders and lifelong union activists, TCU wishes everyone success in their new endeavors,” said Scardelletti.

International Secretary-Treasurer Danny Biggs and International Vice-President and National Legislative Director Bob Davis will retire effective December 31, 2009.  International Vice-President Russell C. Oathout has been elected by the TCU Executive Council to become our new International Secretary-Treasurer.  International Representative Ron Kloos has been elected to fill the vacancy created by Bob Davis’s retirement and will become International Vice-President and National Legislative Director. Both will officially assume their duties January 1, 2010.

International Representative Lenny Bauman will retire on December 31st. Assistant International Representative Daryl Burnett will fill the vacancy and will be appointed International Representative effective January 1, 2010.

Assistant International Representative Gary Campbell will retire December 31st. Ricky Brown will fill the vacancy and will be appointed International Representative effective January 1, 2010.

International Representative Jack Wright retired October 31st and Assistant International Representative Roger Cain filled this vacancy and was appointed International Representative. Steve Wilhelm filled the vacancy of Roger Cain and was appointed Assistant International Representative.

Assistant International Representative Bill Raia will retire on December 31st and Assistant International Representative Merrill Hughs was moved on November 1st to the jurisdiction of unit 600.

Assistant National Legislative Director Tony Padilla will retire December 31st and Mark Taylor will become Assistant National Legislative Director effective January 1, 2010.

Other changes within TCU include the retirements of Mitch Kraus, TCU General Counsel; LuAnn Davis, TCU Controller; Nick Stewart, Senior Executive Director of Social Services and Fran Monard, Administrative Assistant.
 

For Release December 11, 2009
IST Danny Biggs Retires

Rockville, Maryland -- International Secretary-Treasurer Danny Biggs will retire effective December 31, 2009.
This is to advise that Brother Russell C. Oathout has been elected by the TCU/IAM
Executive Council to fill the vacancy created by Brother Biggs' retirement.

Therefore, effective January 1, 2010, Brother Oathout will officially assume the duties
of International Secretary-Treasurer for our union.

Robert A. Scardelletti
International President

For Release December 1, 2009
Carman Jim Corn Retires

Huntingburg, Indiana -- Jim Corn retired December 1, 2009, after a 39-year career. Brother Corn worked at Huntingburg Indiana train yard. He is shown in the photo to the right receiving a retirement gift from the Lodge.

 

For Release November 16, 2009
TCU Carmen Serve Section 6 Notice
on Rail Carriers

Rockville, Maryland -- On November 16th, 2009, TCU/IAM Served Section 6 Notice to the NCCC as the bargaining representative of the rail carriers for National Negotiation. Read the full report in our Online Library.

For Release November 2, 2009
Section 6 Notice Served on Carmen
In National Handling

Rockville, Maryland -- On November 2, 2009, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) served National Section Six Notices on TCU Carmen and Clerks.

TCU’s Clerical and Carmen Notices are in the process of being finalized, and will be served on November 16, 2009, in coordination with several other rail unions.

The Carmen and Clerical national rail contracts with the railroads represented by the NCCC become amendable on January 1, 2010.

Railroads participating in national handling are shown in Attachments A of the carriers’ notices. In addition to the carriers that have traditionally participated in national handling, such as BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific, this time Soo Line has also elected to negotiate nationally.

Click here to view the Carrier’s Carmen Section 6 Notice.

 

For Release September 6, 2009
Lodge 6760 Local Chairman Steve Wilhelm
Appointed to an International Office

Rockville, Maryland -- TCU Lodge 6760 Local Chairman Steve Wilhelm has been appointed to the office of Assistant International Representative by Carmen Division General President Richard A. Johnson. The announcement was made September 6, 2009. Steve Wilhelm will assume the office held by Roger Cain. Brother Cain will be promoted to International Representative of Unit 200 upon the retirement of Jack Wright. Both promotions are effective November 1, 2009. . . Read the full story.

 

Brotherhood Railway Carmen
and TCU Grand Lodge Convention

Las Vegas, Nevada -- Monday, July 27, The Carmen Division of TCU held its Convention and Tuesday, July 28, TCU began its 33rd Grand Lodge Convention. Daily updates of the proceedings are available at our Online Library, Volume 2.

For Release July 9, 2009
Local Chairman Steve Wilhelm
Appoints New Protective Committee Members

Lodge 6760 announced the appointments of two Local Protective Committee Members. Gary Bartee will assist Don Roe representing Lodge members at Portsmouth, Ohio and Chris Hiser has been appointed to fill the vacancy created due to the upcoming retirement of Paul Jackson at Louisville, Kentucky. Both appointments become effective this month announced Local Chairman Steve Wilhelm. Brother Bartee replaces James Gambill, who has been on the Protective Committee, representing members at Columbus and Portsmouth, Ohio since 2000. Brother Bartee also serves as the Lodge Sergeant At Arms.

Chris Hiser, has trained under Vice Local Chairman Paul Jackson for several years. With Brother Jackson's retirement looming, it is fitting to advance Brother Hiser to the office of Vice Local Chairman at Louisville. Paul Jackson has served on the protective committee since Louisville merged in the Lodge in 2000. Prior to that Paul was Local Chairman at the Louisville Lodge for many years. Paul's service and dedication to the Lodge will be missed.

Both new officers are young and have demonstrated interest in the union movement since they were hired. Lodge 6760, has a 10-member Local Protective Committee, by far the largest of any BRC Lodge representing members on Norfolk Southern.

The officers and members of Lodge 6760 wish to congratulate Brothers Gary Bartee and Chris Hiser for their promotions as Vice Local Chairmen.

 

For Release April 18, 2009
Railroad Retirement Board
Information Conference

Indianapolis, Indiana - The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board will host an informational conference for all railroad union officers, members and their spouses on Friday, June 5, 2009, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 5120 Victory Drive (I-465 & Emerson Avenue), Indianapolis, Indiana 46203, phone 317-783-7751. Registration begins at 8:00 AM. Attendees may request a retirement annuity estimate if you have 120 months of railroad service, or 60 months service after 1995, by pre-registering prior to May 5, 2009. Pre-register by calling the Indianapolis office at 877-772-5772, Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. or download the application form here.

 

For Release April 8, 2009
Lodge 6760 Hosting an Educational Seminar

  

Fort Wayne, Indiana - TCU Lodge 6760 will hold an educational seminar for officers on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. This seminar is mandatory for newly appointed Local Protective Committee Members of the Lodge.
 
We are also inviting representatives from any TCU Lodge that would like to attend. Obviously, each lodge must cover the expenses of their representative to attend, however, I will be happy to make a hotel reservation for you, in your name. Lodge 6760 will also provide lunch and a dinner on May 20th.
 
Attendees should plan on arriving Tuesday afternoon or evening, May 19. A reception will be held that evening around 6:00 PM.

Bring a notebook and something to write with.
 
The seminar will be held at Rack and Helen's, 525 Broadway Street, New Haven, Indiana 46774, phone 749-5396.

Reservations must be made early, so please RSVP as soon as possible by contacting Steve Wilhelm, Local Chairman.
 
Topics to be covered include:
 
Furloughed employees
Retirement
NS Medical Department
New Student Carman Agreement
FELA - Keynote address by Robert Pless, Legal Investigator, representing the C. Marshall Friedman Law Firm
Lodge 6760 Website
START
 
Fraternally,
Steve Wilhelm


 


 

 

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by TCU Lodge 6760
Revised May 9, 2012
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