The Seattle Times reports that a Seattle man who took advantage of the Railroad Retirement disability program for decades will receive prison time and have to pay back double the more than $177,000 he took.
Paul LaMarche, 67, claimed disability in 1988 and began receiving RRB annuities, the paper reported.
The paper said that inspectors from the RRB, along with the Coast Guard, began an investigation and found that LaMarche had started a charter boat service and claimed no disability on forms submitted to the Coast Guard to establish that business.
In addition, pictures and videos surfaced of LaMarche doing physical activities, such as paddleboard yoga, to promote his boating business, the paper reported.
He was sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to pay back $354,738.
For the full story, visit The Seattle Times.
Author: bnagy
A notice published in the Federal Register in late September announced that the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) would be rechartered for two years after a period of dormancy.
RSAC advises the administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and makes recommendations on matters relating to railroad safety, resulting in a process that allows stakeholders, including labor and industry representatives, to collaborate before proposed rules are submitted.
The committee consists of 40 representatives from 29 member organizations, including SMART Transportation Division. It last met in May 2017, according to the RSAC website, and has been in existence since 1996.
A notice providing details about the committee’s next meeting has yet to be posted the RSAC site.
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Ranking Member Michael Capuano (D-MA) sent a letter signed by 27 bipartisan members of Congress to Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao expressing opposition to a petition filed by Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR) requesting a waiver of critical federal safety and inspection requirements on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
This petition is the latest in a series of actions taken by KCSR to allow Mexican workers, who are not subject to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations regarding pre-employment screening and random drug and alcohol testing, to operate trains in the United States— moving U.S. rail jobs to Mexico.
“Freight railroads have long sought the ability to allow Mexican crews to operate trains in the United States. We oppose any groundwork that the FRA might be laying toward that effort… We strongly urge you to deny the May 31 petition and to rescind the process of allowing Mexican rail crews to operate within the United States,” the members wrote.
SMART Transportation Division and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have filed a court petition challenging KCSR’s actions.
The letter was signed by DeFazio, Capuano, as well as Representatives John Katko (R-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), William Keating (D-MA), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Seth Moulton (D-MA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Richard M. Nolan (D-MN), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Charlie Crist (D-FL), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Andre Carson (D-IN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Michael Doyle (D-PA), David P. Joyce (R-OH), Don Young (R-AK), and Gene Green (D-TX).
Visit this link to read the full press release from the committee.
Visit this link to view the letter.
Dear members of SMART Transportation Division:
Hurricane Florence and its resulting floods have left behind substantial destruction in North and South Carolina, leading to the loss of life and millions, if not billions, of dollars in damage to property in the Mid-Atlantic region and inland.
Some of those affected by the devastation include our Brothers and Sisters of SMART Transportation Division (SMART TD) who live in the region. This disaster adds a tremendous burden to their lives and the amount of loss that they now must cope with is unimaginable. The silver lining is, and will continue to be, the generosity of citizens around the country who are giving what they can to help those affected to help overcome the effects of this disaster and to reclaim their lives.
We are asking the SMART TD family to rise to the call and give what you can so that the daunting task of starting over and rebuilding can begin. Your generous donation will help lessen the struggle and bring real hope and relief to our SMART TD members who are suffering through this disaster.
Please make your donation to the SMART TD Disaster Relief Fund. All donations to the fund are used solely for the benefit of TD members who are impacted by natural disasters, and are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Contributions may be sent to:
SMART TD Disaster Relief Fund
Suite 340
24950 Country Club Blvd.
North Olmsted, OH 44070-5333
Sincerely,
John Previsich
President, SMART Transportation Division
If you are a secretary or treasurer for a SMART Transportation Division local, you should be receiving this newsletter via email on a monthly basis from the Field Audit Support Help Desk. Please check your spam folder if it is not showing up in your inbox.
If you have changed your email address recently, please contact Dora Wolf (dwolf@smart-union.org) in the Updating Department so she has the most up-to-date contact information for union-related communications.
 Registration is open and TD Connect workshops are filling up!Workshops for treasurers on the TD Connect system that will be rolled out in January are planned on the following dates in select locations (click on links to register):
Workshop sessions will run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on all three days. Click here for a flier with specific workshop details. Gearing up for fall elections2019 is a convention year and elections must be held this fall for local committees and delegates within the union. Nominations are to be taken in October and elections conducted in November. Any local vacancies are to be addressed during this election period as well. | Questions Visit the S&T Tools page on the SMART TD website for guidance on getting the job done! Still not sure? Call the Field Support Help Desk at 216-227-5444. Drop-in help desk hours are 9a-5p (Central Time) M-W-F. Help desk appointments can be scheduled in advance for Tuesdays, Thursdays, weekends, and evenings. Call or email fieldauditor@group.
Important dates • By September 15 — Deposit and pay CT-1 taxes (rail Locals): https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/ For more info: SMART TD guide to paying Form CT-1 taxes • By September 15 — Deposit and pay 941 taxes: https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/ For more info: SMART TD guide to paying and reporting Form 941 taxes • By September 15 — Submit timebook order to TD Updating Department (see related article below). • September 20 — Monthly billing due at SMART TD office. • September 20 — Hotel registration deadline for Oct. 8-10 TD Connect workshop in New Haven, Conn. Be ready to use the new eBill system:
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Meet Mike Vega, TD’s new billing audit supervisor
Mike Vega has been promoted as the SMART TD Billing Audit Department’s new supervisor, taking over in late August after the retirement of Barbara Bankston, who was with UTU/SMART TD for 37 years.
Mike has been with SMART TD since November 1989 and says he worked “all over the place” with the union before settling in as a billing auditor in 2010. Some jobs he performed included handling direct receipts, serving as the directory administrator, and as an updater on the iLink predecessor system.
An avid road cyclist, Mike’s a native Clevelander and has one key tip for S&Ts when keeping track of the finances of his or her local — be sure that the deductions and billings totals coincide.
“If things get out of sync, that’s when the local can get into trouble,” he said. “If those totals are right, everything pretty much falls into place — there are plenty of checks and balances out there to keep things running smoothly.”
Time book orders due to SMART TD office by Sept. 15
In order to alleviate significant expense and wasteful distribution of time books, all locals must complete a time book order form and return it to the SMART TD office by Sept. 15.
It’s important that the form is completed by a local officer, even if the local does not desire to receive the books (just note “0” on the quantity requested line and return). All locals will be contacted if a form is not received to ensure accurate ordering this fall. You may return the form — available on the SMART TD website — by any one of the methods listed below.
- Fax to: 216-227-5208 – ATTN: Dora Wolf
- Email to: dwolf@smart-union.org
- Via mail to:
SMART TD
ATTN: DORA WOLF
24950 Country Club Blvd, Ste. 340
North Olmsted, OH 44070 – 5333
A confirmation email will be sent to acknowledge receipt of your order – if you do not receive the email within 10 days of your order being submitted, please contact Dora Wolf by calling the SMART TD office at 216-228-9400.
Ask an Auditor
Q: The convention is coming up next year, and our Local still has an old seal with the UTU logo on it. Since we’re SMART TD now, do we have to get a new one for our Local?
The use of a local seal will be very important next year when credentialing delegates for the SMART TD Convention to take place next August in Las Vegas, Nevada. Locals are not required to replace their old UTU seals. However, if your Local does not have a seal, permission must first be obtained from the President’s Department to get one. Once permission is received, a seal can be ordered from the SMART TD Supply Department. For more information, contact John Horvath in the President’s Department at 216-228-9400.
To submit questions to Ask an Auditor, email fieldauditor@group.smart-union.org.
Hurricane Florence has struck North and South Carolina and is causing destruction in the region. SMART TD and Your Track to Health want to remind members affected by Florence that resources are available to help recover from the storm.
The following health and wellness resources are available to those impacted by Hurricane Florence.
Behavioral health
An emotional support hotline is available, free of charge, regardless of behavioral health plan membership. It provides access to specially-trained mental health specialists.
United Behavioral Health/Optum: 1-866-342-6892 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Prescription drugs
If you don’t have your medication(s) with you, prescriptions are available to you at any retail pharmacy. Simply show your Express Scripts ID card, or if your ID card is unavailable, call the number below. For members with home delivery orders in impacted areas, UPS shipments will be held at the member’s local post office for pickup if delivery to the home is not possible.
Accredo and Express Scripts: 1-800-842-0070 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Vision
If you’ve lost, broken or damaged your eyewear, emergency (temporary) replacement glasses can be sent to you, at no cost, with overnight shipping (must call by 2:30 p.m. ET on weekdays for same-day processing). Or, if you prefer to order permanent replacement glasses or contacts, expedited shipping is available.
EyeMed: 1-866-652-0018 (toll free) Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. ET; Sat 8 a.m.-11 p.m. ET; Sun 11 a.m.-11 p.m. ET
Medical care and more:
Telemedicine services are available to any resident of an evacuation zone, regardless of health plan membership. Individuals can request a call from a doctor, free of charge, to handle non-emergency medical problems via specific contact information below.
Teladoc: 1-855-756-8708 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or for more information visit https://www.teladoc.com/florence/
Free telephone access to registered nurses is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of health plan membership.
Railroad HEALTHLINK: 1-866-735-5685 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Help finding care, behavioral health support, and assistance with finding available shelters and government resources, and other services are available through Aetna’s Resources for Living, regardless of health plan membership to people in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Aetna: 1-833-327-2386 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
For those who reside in areas where States of Emergency have been declared, waivers have been put in place for Medical Authorization Requirements, Claims Timely Filing, and Paying Out-of-Network Claims as In-Network.
Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield: 1-866-267-3320 (toll free) Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET
Free telephone access to registered nurses is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of health plan membership. Help finding health care services is available through the toll-free phone number, and in-network rates will be available even if members are not able to see an in-network provider.
UnitedHealthcare: 1-866-735-5685 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Information is available to monitor and prepare for the storm. Experts are available to help: locate in-network providers in a new area, find facilities that will be able to provide temporary assistance, transfer medical records and prescriptions, get a short supply of medications if prescriptions have been lost, coordinate care between insurance company and medical providers, answer benefit and treatment questions and help with elderly parents.
HealthAdvocate: 1-866-799-2690 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Dental:
Members affected by the hurricane who need care or other assistance can access Aetna.
Aetna Dental: 1-877-238-6200 (toll free) Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET
For more information, visit Your Track to Health at www.ytth.com.
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Freight and passenger carriers in the southeastern U.S. have announced disruptions to service in advance of Hurricane Florence, which is predicted to make landfall along the Carolina coast Thursday.
Norfolk Southern (NS) has closed its headquarters in Norfolk, Va., in compliance with an evacuation order issued Tuesday by Gov. Ralph Northam, Trains magazine reported.
The magazine also reported that intermodal shipments destined for NS’s two terminals in Norfolk and to the Virginia Inland Gateway were stopped on Monday in anticipation of the storm. The carrier said on its website that traffic bound for destinations affected by embargoes caused by the storm will be held at yards throughout its system.
Trains magazine also reported that CSX activated its hurricane action plan and said the carrier’s shipments progressing through the Interstate 95 corridor likely will experience storm-related delays.
Rail service to and from Portsmouth, Va., was to be halted by CSX on Tuesday and its terminal there closed Tuesday evening, the magazine reported. The magazine also said that the carrier was going to close its Charleston, S.C., terminal this evening.
Amtrak announced earlier in the week that trains in the Northeast Corridor will not run south of Washington, D.C., until the storm passes, and a number of trains have been canceled or modified this week in anticipation of Florence.
In order to alleviate significant expense and wasteful distribution of time books, all locals must complete a time book order form and return it to the SMART TD office by Sept. 15.
It’s important that the form is completed by a local officer, even if the local does not desire to receive the books (just note “0” on the quantity requested line and return). All locals will be contacted if a form is not received to ensure accurate ordering this fall. You may return the form — available on the TD website — by any one of the methods listed below.
Fax to: 216-227-5208 – ATTN: Dora Wolf
Email to: dwolf@smart-union.org
Via mail to:
SMART TD
ATTN: DORA WOLF
24950 Country Club Blvd, Ste. 340
North Olmsted, OH 44070 – 5333
A confirmation email will be sent to acknowledge receipt of your order – if you do not receive the email within 10 days of your order being submitted, please contact Dora by calling the TD office at 216-228-9400.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), recommended Thomas Jayne, a senior general attorney with BNSF Railway, to President Donald Trump for nomination to serve as the industry representative on the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
Jayne, if confirmed, would replace Steven J. Anthony, whose term is expiring.
Jayne has been with BNSF since 2011 and prior to that worked with Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis, Mo., on transportation-related cases, among others.
“He enjoys the confidence and full support of the railroad employers who will be affected by his appointment,” AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger and ASLRRA’s Judy Petry said in their letter of recommendation to Trump.
The three-member RRB administers retirement and disability benefits for railroad workers and their families. The board is appointed by the president of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The president appoints one member upon the recommendation of railroad employers, another upon the recommendation of railroad labor organizations and the third, the chairman, to represent the public interest. The board members serve five-year terms.
In mid-August, Trump nominated Erhard Chorle, a Chicago attorney, as RRB chairman.