Transportation News

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RRB awards Palmetto GBA new Medicare contract

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 Medi [...]

Rail-member vision plan improvements on tap

UTU members covered by the Railroad Employees’ National Vision Plan will see improvements in the program effective Jan. 1 when benefits formerly provided by VSP will be administered by EyeMed Vision Care.  Enhancements include:  • A larger national network of providers, [...]

Distractions kill, maim and end careers

Distractions occur everywhere in our daily lives, but when those in safety sensitive positions are distracted on the job, the results too often result in death or career-ending injuries. A collaborative effort among the Federal Railroad Administration, rail labor and carriers [...]

Medicare premiums to increase in January

Medicare beneficiaries will see their standard Medicare Part B monthly premium increase by $5 monthly to $104.90 beginning in January. A small number of beneficiaries will continue to pay higher premiums based on their modified adjusted gross income, which depends on the exte [...]

Note a recall of medication Pradaxa(r)

The manufacturer of the prescription medication Pradaxa(r) is voluntarily recalling all patient-level lots of 75mg dosage of the medication. The reason is a potential packaging defect that the manufacturer says may compromise the integrity of the bottle and permit moisture to [...]

Former Dem leader urges cooperation, compromise

One of labor’s strongest friends on Capitol Hill was Rep. Marty Frost, a centrist Democrat from Texas who served in the House of Representatives from 1979 to 2005, and who served two terms as chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Post Election Day, Frost wrote an opinion arti [...]

Early rail retiree insurance cap rises in 2013

UTU members and their dependents insured under the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA) Plan (GA-46000) will have their lifetime maximum amount of coverage increased, effective Jan. 1. ERMA is a comprehensive benefits plan for employees wh [...]

Save money by using in-network providers

The national railroad plans (“plan”) allow you to see any doctor in your plan administrator’s network, including specialists, without a referral. This means that you have the freedom to choose a physician or specialist without first seeing a primary care physician. There are [...]

New pact voted on Central Railroad of Indiana

Lesniewski UTU Local 440 represented train and engine workers employed by Central Railroad Company of Indiana have ratified, by a 91 percent approval, a new five-year collective bargaining agreement effective Jan. 1. The agreement provides for annual wage increases, an additi [...]

Looking back, but moving ahead

By Bonnie MorrVice President, Bus Department As we approach year end, I wish everyone happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous new year. During 2012, we have had wonderful success negotiating 11 new contracts, and others are in the negotiating process. I could not be more [...]