Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen

February 12, 2025

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6 Months After East Palestine Derailment, Rail Unions Renew
Calls for Safety Reforms

On behalf of all U.S. rail unions and workers, the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO today released the following statement commemorating six months since Norfolk Southern’s toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on the evening of February 3rd.

Make it a Union-Made Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is almost here, and it’s time to celebrate America’s birthday.

As you safely enjoy the holiday, please support your Union brothers and sisters this holiday by purchasing food and drink favorites made by companies that treat their workers with dignity and respect. Let’s all celebrate good jobs that help strengthen the middle class and a stronger America.

On May 31, 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on certification of signal employees. The proposed rule, or Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), is the official document that announces and explains the agency’s plan to address a problem or accomplish a goal.

There are more than 1 million working union veterans in the labor movement—found within every affiliated union of the AFL-CIO. For many of those veterans and their families, Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembrance. It’s up to all of us to honor the memories of those we celebrate today and to be there for our sisters and brothers who might be having a tough day.

Memorial Day is Right Around the Corner

Make sure your plans are Union-Made!

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Vice Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Rep.

The Senate's Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed the Rail Safety Act (RSA) with bipartisan support. The bill now moves on to the Senate, following a heated debate between two Republican Senators over amendments.

On May 5, 2023, BRS members working at Amtrak ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. The seven (7) year Agreement was reached after nearly 18 months of negotiations and provided for general wage increases of 28.5% with full retroactivity to 2022 (compounded 32.

Workers Memorial Day — April 28

The unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers Memorial Day today, April 28 to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew the fight for safe jobs. This year we will come together to call for action on hazards that cause unnecessary injury, illness and death.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is calling for Congress to fast-track rail safety measures by passing the proposed Railway Safety Act of 2023.

The Budget Control Act of 2011, and a subsequent sequestration order to implement mandated cuts, requires that railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits be reduced by a set percentage.

Workers Win in Michigan

Yesterday, the state of Michigan made history by repealing the "right to work" law and reinstating prevailing wage laws. The "Restoring Workers' Rights'" package is a big step forward for the working people of Michigan and provides an example for other state legislatures to follow.

BRS and BNSF Sign Sick Day Agreement

Current BRS/BNSF represented employees, and new hires, will have four (4) paid sick days and the ability to convert personal leave days to sick days. If a sick day is unused, or if it is denied, then it can be cashed out at the end of the year or transferred to a 401k. Unused personal days converted to sick days at the end of the year can also be cashed out.

Today, March 1, 2023, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and J.D. Vance (R-OH), along with U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) will introduce the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 to prevent future train disasters like the derailment that devastated East Palestine, Ohio.

— PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINARS —
September through October 2023

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 — Fritz G Lanham Federal Building, 819 Taylor Street Room 4A1-4H, Fort Worth, Texas

OCTOBER 20, 2023 — Sheet Metal Workers #19 Union Hall, 1301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Visit RRB.gov/PRS to register:

• Select your local seminar from the schedule listed, click the register button, enter your information, and hit submit.

• RSVP on paper instead: select your local seminar from the schedule listed, find the blank registration form (PDF) to print and complete, then mail or fax it to your local field office. Contact information for each office hosting a seminar is accessible through Field Office Locator at RRB.gov.

Please note that event details and registration will be available approximately 70 days in advance of each seminar, and registration will be closed for any seminar that reaches capacity.

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