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Contacting Railroad Medicare when a beneficiary dies

Handling the affairs of a deceased family member can be a difficult task. But like estate planning, it’s important to prepare in advance. Medicare law prevents contractors from disclosing information and updating records for a deceased beneficiary without appropriate document [...]

2012 safest year in railroad history

Last year was the safest year in the history of the railroad industry, based on performance measures tracked by the Federal Railroad Administration. For the fifth fiscal year in a row, the industry has improved on all six of the FRA’s official safety performance measures, inc [...]

Alternate Vice President Barrilleaux retires

Alternate International Vice President Larry Barrilleaux, 61, has retired, effective Jan. 15. A member of Local 1836 at New Orleans, Barrilleaux began his railroad career in 1973 as a switchman on Texas Pacific/Missouri Pacific Railroad in New Orleans, La. In 1975, he was ele [...]

A show of solidarity at Minnesota shortline picket

More than 50 UTU members turned out Jan. 15 to participate in an informational picket of Progressive Rail, Inc., outside the company’s Lakeville, Minn., headquarters. Those members from UTU Locals 64 (Huron, S.D.), 650 (Minneapolis, Minn.), 911 (Minneapolis, Minn.), 1000 (Min [...]

UTU supports crack down on unsafe bus carriers

The UTU joined other affiliates of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO on Jan. 14 in submitting comments on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Patterns of Safety Violations by Motor Carrier Managem [...]
OSHA logo; OSHA

OSHA, BNSF reach accord over whistleblowers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed an accord with BNSF Railway Co. announcing BNSF’s voluntary revision of several personnel policies that OSHA alleged violated the whistleblower provisions of [...]

Labor Secretary Solis stepping down

The White House has confirmed today that Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will not return for President Barack Obama’s second term. Prior to her confirmation as Secretary of Labor, Solis served as a member of Congress, representing the 32nd Congressional District in Californ [...]

Union Plus scholarship deadline is Jan. 31

The deadline for applying for a Union Plus scholarship is Thurs., Jan. 31. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $4,000. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in fall of 2013. Students may re-apply each year. For complete details click here.

They hire you, then work to fire you

By John Previsich, UTU Assistant President/ GS&T –  Discipline in the railroad industry is a curious business. I recall that when I first hired out, I was proud of my new employment. The railroad had selected me over other well-qualified applicants, and I was sent to scho [...]