Archive for July 2017
USDOT’s inspector general to review federal oversight of PTC funding
(source: Progressive Railroading 07/10/17) The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to review the oversight of federal positive train control (PTC) funding and recipients’ use of the proceeds. The OIG has initiated a multi-part audit to address committee members’ concerns about the Federal Railroad Administration‘s (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration‘s…
Read MoreNational negotiations update: Coordinated Bargaining Group Unions say contract negotiations take a “step backwards”
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, July 7 — As part of our ongoing effort to conclude national contract negotiations, the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) met with the nation’s freight rail Carriers (NCCC) for three days during the week of June 26th. These efforts were part of our ongoing mediation process, mandated by the Railway Labor Act when the…
Read MoreImportance of Time Claims ~ Weekly Update from General Chairman Steve Leyshon 07/07/2017
Railroads adding more cars to trains in effort to trim costs, raising some concerns about safety
(source: Omaha World-Herald By Russell Hubbard / World-Herald staff writer ~ July 6, 2017) The train that moved through downtown Council Bluffs late last month on a bright Saturday morning didn’t seem extraordinary at first glance — just another Union Pacific freighter with different types of cargo and railcars slowly crossing the railroad tracks in a…
Read MoreQ&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, July 6, 2017) CHICAGO — The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, which provides two kinds of benefits for qualified railroaders: unemployment benefits for those who become unemployed but are ready, willing, and able to work; and sickness benefits for those who are unable to work…
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