Category: Alumni Association
RRB announces cost-of-living increase for retirees in 2020
Most Railroad Retirement annuities, like Social Security benefits, will increase in January 2020 due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2018 to the corresponding period of the current year. Cost-of-living increases are calculated in both the [...]
RRB: Earnings limit for rail retirees is scheduled to increase in 2020
Railroad Retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2020 without having their benefits reduced as a result of increases in earnings limits indexed to average national wage increases. Like Social Security benefits, some Railroad Retirement benefit [...]
Ohio SLD: Opponents to rail safety bill to appear in Columbus on Oct. 22; support needed
State Legislative Director Stu Gardner said that a hearing for opponents of H.B. 186 to appear before the Ohio House Transportation and Public Safety Committee has been scheduled. Opponents are scheduled to give testimony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Ohio Statehouse Room 11 [...]Virginia SLD reminds state voters: Absentee voting has begun!
SMART Transportation Division Virginia State Legislative Director Ronnie Hobbs issued a reminder Oct. 16 that absentee voting in-person or by mail has begun for the state’s Nov. 5 general elections. Voters can cast absentee ballots in person at their local voting regist [...]
Kansas SLD criticizes UP yard cuts
Union Pacific’s version of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) claimed more victims recently. UP announced last week that it was doing away with its Neff Yard in Kansas City, Mo., and with it 200 well-paying rail jobs evaporate. The short-term benefits of these and other wo [...]
Update on the facts of the crew consist lawsuit from President Ferguson
Brothers and sisters of the SMART Transportation Division, I wanted to take this opportunity to explain what the crew consist lawsuit that has been filed in federal court in Texas is about. From the questions we have received, it appears that there is some confusion. The laws [...]Carrier sues Illinois to stop two-person crew law
Indiana Rail Road, with the backing of the major rail carrier organizations, has filed suit challenging a law requiring two people on freight crews in Illinois, the Courthouse News Service reported. “The recent history of railroads confirms the wisdom of FRA’s expert de [...]
Texas-area members invited to Houston solidarity rally
Local 1892 invites union members to the fourth-annual Houston Solidarity Rally that is scheduled noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at the SPJST Lounge, 1435 Beall St. in Houston. The event is open to all and has previously drawn members from 16 locals/divisions/lodges from multiple uni [...]