It’s time for flu and pneumonia vaccines

The head-cold and flu season is upon us, making it time to lower your risk of disease and illness by receiving a flu shot and pneumonia vaccine – and if you or your spouse is covered by Medicare, you won’t bear the cost and do not require a doctor’s referral. The flu shot is [...]

Conductor certification now a reality

WASHINGTON – It’s now official. Conductor certification, mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, became effective Jan. 1. In a final rule, published by the Federal Railroad Administration Nov. 9, railroads were ordered to implement, by Jan. 1, a formal trai [...]

NS hiring conductors, other crafts

Norfolk Southern said Nov. 3 it intends to hire 500 employees by year end, and add another 2,600 employees in 2012 to meet growing demand for service and to replace those retiring. Hiring will be for conductors, as well as other crafts, including freight car repairers, machin [...]

Medicare Part B premium will rise in 2012

The Medicare Part B premium will rise by $3.50 monthly to $99.90 monthly beginning Jan. 1, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is the first increase in the Part B premium in two years. For Medicare participants who first enrolled in 2010 and 20 [...]

UTU PAC supports all UTU’s lawmaker friends

LaTourette WASHINGTON – While organized labor has more friends in the Democratic Party, and carriers have more friends in the Republican Party, there are many Republicans who are friends of organized labor – and the UTU’s bi-partisan approach to politics recognizes this. One [...]

H&W enrollment return deadline nearing

Nov. 11 is the deadline for returning to Railroad Enrollment Services the annual health and welfare enrollment materials for railroad employees and/or dependents covered under the National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union (NRC/UTU) Health and Welfare Plan. For [...]