Cornerstone Open Enrollment is Now Through Wednesday, October 31, 2018
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AFL-CIO TTD: Building pro-worker momentum
(Source: AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) press release, September 12, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Executive Committee of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), gathered today to set an aggressive agenda focused on creating and sustaining the kind of good jobs working families want and need by strengthening America’s transportation network and improving workplace safety.This meeting comes…
Read MoreAAR reports rail traffic for week ending September 8, 2018
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, September 12, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 8, 2018. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 502,208 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.1 percent compared with the same week last year. Total…
Read MoreRRB Q&A: The importance of a current connection for Railroad Retirement Benefits
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, August 27, 2018) CHICAGO — Under the Railroad Retirement Act, a “current connection with the railroad industry” is one of the eligibility requirements for occupational disability annuities, and is one of the factors that determine whether the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or the Social Security Administration has jurisdiction over the…
Read MoreUnions seek to block new anti-union law in Missouri
(Source: Associated Press, August 27, 2018) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Unions representing teachers and other public employees sued on Monday to try to block a new Missouri law that they claim imposes “a raft of harsh restrictions” that “effectively eviscerates” their right to organize and bargain on behalf of employees. A Missouri law set to…
Read MoreHoffa: U.S.-Mexico agreement is first step towards better North American trade
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 27, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa about the bilateral agreement-in-principle announced today between the U.S. and Mexico to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “The Teamsters Union has long been a leader in demanding real reforms…
Read MoreTeamsters triumph in bid to reverse Executive Orders that targeted federal public employees
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 17, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Columbia, Ketanji Brown Jackson has delivered a significant victory to the Teamsters and several other unions that filed suit challenging three Executive Orders issued by the president on May 25, 2018. Brown determined that…
Read MoreOpen enrollment for the BLET Short Term Disability On-The-Job (Part B) coverage
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, August 29 — Open Enrollment for the BLET’s Short Term Disability On-The-Job (Part B) insurance will end on August 31, 2018. Those who enroll will have their coverage take effect on September 1, 2018. If you are a locomotive engineer working on a participating railroad your Off-The-Job (Part A) coverage of the BLET…
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AAR weekly traffic data: U.S., Canadian roads remain on the uptick
(Source: Progressive Railroading 08/23/2018) Thirty-three weeks into the year, U.S railroads’ traffic continued to mount. During the week ending Aug. 18, they moved 567,477 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.7 percent year over year, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data. U.S carloads increased 2.9 percent to 278,701 units and intermodal volume rose 4.4 percent…
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Washington, Ohio agencies OK grade crossing projects
(Source: Progressive Railroading 08/27/2018) Agencies in Washington and Ohio have approved upgrades to railroad crossings. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved a $19,084 grant from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund to improve a grade crossing on Walnut Street in Bingen, Washington. BNSF Railway Co., which owns the track, has agreed to the request and will complete…
Read MoreFRA publishes railroads’ second quarter 2018 PTC data
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, August 24, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released the 2018 Quarter 2 status update on railroads’ self-reported progress toward implementing positive train control (PTC) systems. The latest data, current as of June 30, 2018, shows that 15 railroads have installed…
Read MoreAAR reports rail traffic for week ending August 18, 2018
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, August 22, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 18, 2018. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 567,477 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Total…
Read MoreCEOs see pay soar while workers gain little
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 22, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Workers’ salaries may be stuck in limbo, but that isn’t stopping top company executives from being rewarded financially. A new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows that compensation for chief executive officers at the top 350 publicly traded companies in the…
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Bartek awarded two U.S. patents
(Source: Railway Age 08/21/2018) Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief The United States Patent Office has granted two patents in the area of autonomous inter-vehicle communications and collision avoidance to Peter M. Bartek, President and CEO of start-up Focused Technology Solutions, a division of The Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company. According to Bartek, who has lengthy experience in radio, sensor…
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Homendy takes seat as NTSB member
(Source: Progressive Railroading 08/22/2018) Jennifer Homendy was sworn in Monday as a National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) member. The board now has all five member positions filled. The NTSB operated with four members from April 2014 to December 2017, and with three members from January to early August 2018, when Bruce Landsberg was appointed vice chairman. Homendy previously…
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New Progressive Rail short line to lease, operate Oregon track
(Source: Progressive Railroading 08/22/2018) Progressive Rail Inc. has reached an agreement to lease an industrial lead track from Union Pacific Railroad in Clackamas, Oregon. The parties intend to consummate the proposed lease transaction on or about Aug. 31. Progressive Rail is seeking Surface Transportation Board approval to create Clackamas Valley Railway LLC (CVR) to lease and operate the 1.6-mile industrial…
Read MoreAAR reports rail traffic for week ending August 4, 2018
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, August 8, 2018) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 4, 2018. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 570,995 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Total…
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Ever wonder what all the information means on your health insurance card? What phone number do you call? Why is there a BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) logo? Who is OptumRx? We’ve got a complete explanation of what it all means.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month so all month long, we’ll be providing you with resources and information on screening, treatment, risk factors and symptoms.
As of Monday, August 27, 2018, UPREHS members should start ordering prescriptions and refills directly on the Depot Drug website, www.depotdrug.com. Here is some important information about this pharmacy ordering change.
Sunday, August 26th is National Dog Day—the four-legged kind not the one that goes in a bun. In honor of that, and being a dog-lover myself, I thought I’d explore the health benefits of man’s best friend.
Let’s be honest. Healthcare is expensive. Even if you have health insurance, most plans have annual deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses like copayments. If you don’t relish having to pay unexpected medical expenses, the UPREHS Dependent Supplemental Plan (DSP) might be for you.
August is National Immunization month, so all month long, we’ll be highlighting the importance of getting immunizations, even as an adult. Even if you’ve had childhood vaccinations, you should get them boosted as an adult.
In honor of National Watermelon Day (yes, that is actually a thing), we thought we’d share a little information about the health benefits of watermelon, along with a simple recipe you can pair with just about anything.
First, it would probably be helpful if I explained what EOB stands for. EOB is short for Explanation of Benefits. You may also see it described as Explanation of Medical Benefits, but it is universally referred to as an EOB.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen - UP Western Region GCA represents locomotive engineers working in the Western Region of the Union Pacific Railroad, which encompasses Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and portions of Nevada. We also represent members on the Portland & Western Railroad as well as the Portland Terminal Railroad.
Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with Union Pacific Railroad, and the information contained within these web pages may not reflect the views or opinions of the Union Pacific Railroad.