Rail Industry News

The lifetime maximum benefit for each individual covered under The Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (UnitedHealthcare’s Policy GA-46000) is adjusted each year based on the medical cost component of the Consumer Price Index. As of January 1, 2006, this maximum will increase from $92,400 to $96,400.

After months of working together, Medco and the railroad unions that sponsor the coverage available to you under Group Policy GA-23111 are pleased to announce a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan that has been created specifically for GA-23111 participants.

A remotely controlled locomotive (RCL) pulling dozens of freight cars collided with a Union Pacific freight train at UP’s Fife Yard near Tacoma, Wash., on November 13 at approximately 9:45 a.m. Pacific time.

Today, commuters traveling through Penn Station in Newark were greeted by rail workers warning of a possible Amtrak shutdown in their future. Locomotive engineers and maintenance of way workers who are represented by the Teamsters Rail Conference, passed out leaflets to hundreds of commuters using Amtrak.

The following is a statement by BLET National President Don M. Hahs on Veterans Day.

Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., is recruiting Locomotive Engineers to work in the following areas: Jacksonville, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; Lorton, Va. (Auto Train); Miami, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Florence, S.C.

Working families across the nation, from New Jersey and Virginia to California, have sent a strong message to Congress and the White House; it’s time to stand up for the American middle class.

The election results in California, New Jersey and Virginia are a win for working families. In California, voters have soundly defeated the anti-worker policies of Governor Schwarzenegger and his big business backers, rejecting their attempts to silence workers’ voices. In New Jersey and Virginia, voters have chosen as their next Governors leaders who are committed to standing up for the right of workers to join a union.

The Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS), issued an advisory regarding Form LM-30 on November 7. An interim rule has been established by the DOL that increases the amount of the “de minimis exemption” from $25 to $250.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Friday published 29 questions and answers concerning Emergency Order No. 24 (EO 24), which will take effect on November 22. You can view or download the questions and answers from the link below.