Legislation
In its last days, Trump Administration rushes more anti-union rules
(Source: Labor Press, January 17, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the final days of Donald Trump’s presidency wind down, his Department of Labor is still making rules to undermine labor rights, particularly for federal employees. Full story: Labor Press Monday, January 18, 2021
Read MoreLegislation would end cut to railroad unemployment benefits
(Source: Progressive Railroading 11/04/2020) U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) last week introduced the Railroad Employee Equality and Fairness Act, which would end the sequester on the Railroad Retirement Board‘s (RRB) Unemployment Insurance Account. Under the Budget Control Act of 2011, and a subsequent sequestration order to implement mandatory spending cuts, railroad unemployment…
Read MoreRail industry marks 40 years of transformation under Staggers Act
(Source: Progressive Railroading 10/14/2020) Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, which partially deregulated the U.S. freight-rail industry so that railroads could operate in a competitive market place. Signed by President Jimmy Carter on Oct. 14, 1980, the act and its implementation by the Interstate Commerce Commission — now the Surface…
Read MoreDOT turns down labor request for national mask rule
(Source: Rolling Stone, October 3, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a little-noticed ruling on Friday evening, the Trump administration rejected a petition by a coalition of labor unions that had asked the federal government to require passengers to wear masks on airplanes, trains, and other major forms of transportation. The Department of Transportation told the…
Read MoreHouse Democrats unveil bill to provide $32 billion in emergency transit funding
(Source: Progressive Railroading 09/29/2020) Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday unveiled a new $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that includes $32 billion in emergency funding for Amtrak and transit agencies. The House will consider the proposed bill later this week. The Heroes Act would provide emergency transit funding to ensure that transit agencies…
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