Category: News
Fundraiser established for family of late member of Local 1730
An online fundraiser has been established for the family of Local 1730 (Richmond, Calif.) member Charles F. “Chuck” Reiring, who passed away suddenly Dec. 14 at age 41. Brother Reiring joined our union in January 2018 and worked as a conductor for BNSF. Fellow SMA [...]
Member’s family hit hard by the effects of COVID-19
August 31st was a day that would forever change the lives of member David Mitchell (Local 937 in Mart, Texas) and his family. It was the day that he would come home with a diagnosis of COVID-19. By September 7, Mitchell’s wife, Michelle, would begin to show symptoms, and on S [...]
Senate confirms Deidre Hamilton to NMB
The U.S. Senate in a 52-48 vote Dec. 7 confirmed labor attorney Deidre Hamilton to the National Mediation Board (NMB), shifting control of the the government body that facilitates labor-management relations in the aviation and rail industries to a 2-to-1 Democratic margin. No [...]
SMART-TD, BLET suits seek immediate halt to BNSF and Metra vaccine mandates
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Dec. 3, 2021) — The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have filed motions for preliminary injunctions, seeki [...]
Daughter of TD Local 1558 president establishes fundraiser for mother
A union sister is trying to help the most important woman in her life receive the care she needs after two devastating strokes. Member Jenell Rose of Local 1558 (Bergenfield, N.J.) has started an online fundraiser after her mother Kecia Jordan, the president of Local 1558, ha [...]
RRB: Medicare Part B premiums for 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $170.10 in 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021. Some Medicare beneficiaries may pay less than this amount because, by law, Part B premiums for cu [...]
ERMA LIFETIME MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO INCREASE IN 2022
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $175,700 to $182,700 beginning Jan. 1, 2022. At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to adminis [...]
NLRB counsel issues memo on OSHA-issued COVID-19 ETS
In response to an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to protect workers from coronavirus that was issued earlier this month by OSHA, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued a memo to all field offices concerning COVID vaccine mandates and collec [...]