VOLUME 103 1ST QUARTER 2022 - Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
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THE
VOLUME 103
1ST QUARTER 2022
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Official Publication of the
BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD SIGNALMEN
WWW.BRS.ORG
VOLUME 103 • 1ST QUARTER 2022
DIRECTORY APPOINTMENT AT GRAND LODGE
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS:
917 Shenandoah Shores Road
Justin Pier
Front Royal, VA 22630-6418 Grand Lodge Representative ........................ 6
(540) 622-6522 • Fax: (540) 622-6532
signalman@brs.org
BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD SIGNALMEN
Mike Baldwin, President
(ext. 525) • msb@brs.org 53rd Regular Convention
Jim Finnegan, Secretary-Treasurer The Convention will convene on Monday, June 20, 2022, at
(ext. 527) • jmfinnegan@brs.org
Brandon Elvey, Vice President NRAB the San Diego Mission Bay Resort, San Diego, California.
(ext. 524) • b.elvey@brs.org The deadline for hotel reservations is May 19, 2022 ............7
Quinn Norman, Vice President Headquarters
(ext. 528) • r.norman@brs.org
Kurt Mullins, Director of Research
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen File for Mediation ....................................... 6
(ext. 572) • kmullins@brs.org Did You Know? ...................................................................................7, 9, 15, 23
Chris Hand, Grand Lodge Representative America’s Largest Transportation Labor Coalition Gains
(ext. 566) • c.hand@brs.org
Three More Unions, Unifies Rail Labor ............................................................... 8
Justin Pier, Grand Lodge Representative Belonging to a Union .......................................................................................... 8
(ext. 567) • j.pier@brs.org
Coordinated Bargaining Coalition National Negotiations .................................. 10
WASHINGTON OFFICE:
815 16th Street NW, 4th Floor Early Retirement Plan Increases Maximum ...................................................... 11
Washington, DC 20006 Alcohol and Drug Testing .................................................................................. 15
Mike Efaw, National Legislative Director Tips to Help Keep Your Health on Track! — At-Home Covid- 19 Tests ............... 16
917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630
(ext. 528) • mle@brs.org Rail Labor Unions Applaud Confirmation of FRA
Administrator Amit Bose .................................................................................. 20
FIELD VICE PRESIDENTS:
Joe Mattingly, Vice President Midwest
UVC — Recommendations to Strengthen Labor Unions .................................... 21
400 Contessa Lane, Trenton, KY 42286 Workers Memorial Day • April 28 ......................................................... 27, 45
(270) 466-0405 • jlm@brs.org
RRB — Employee Guide to Unemployment/Sickness Benefits ....................... 28
Tim Tarrant, Vice President Commuter/Passenger
917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 RRB — Employee Guide to Railroad Retirement Benefits ............................. 30
(540) 622-6522 (ext. 528) • tmt@brs.org AFL-CIO Don’t Buy .......................................................................................... 34
Cory Claypool, Vice President West Protect Your Family — Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning ..................................35
917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630
(540) 622-6522 (ext. 528) • clc@brs.org Financial Secretary/Local Chairman’s Training — October 2021 .......................36
Doug VanderJagt, Vice President East Local Chairman’s Training/Financial Secretary Training — November 2021 ......37
917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630
(540) 622-6522 (ext. 528) • drvanderjagt@brs.org Local 9 and Local 39 Meeting/Picnic Highlights................................................ 38
Local 138 Meeting Highlights........................................................................... 38
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Local 225 Meeting Highlights .......................................................................... 39
Gus Demott, Chairman Local 16 Meeting Highlights ............................................................................ 40
P.O. Box 888, Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 938-0353 Local 72 Meeting Highlights ............................................................................ 40
John McArthur, Secretary Southeast General Committee Meeting Highlights ............................................ 41
P.O. Box 960639, El Paso, TX 79996
(775) 846-1794 Local 226 Meeting Highlights .......................................................................... 42
Mike Sullivan, Member
60 Oak Place, Babylon, NY 11702
Local 87 Meeting Highlights ............................................................................ 43
(631) 432-4760
From the President ............................................................................................ 2
OFFICERS EMERITUS:
V.M. “Butch” Speakman, Jr., President Emeritus From the Secretary-Treasurer............................................................................. 4
14212 Viola Place, Huntley , IL 60142 Railroad Retirement Board Questions & Answers ............................................. 12
Washington Report ......................................................................................... 18
The Signalman’s Journal (ISSN-0037-5020) is published
quarterly by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
Continuous Membership .................................................................................. 22
917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630-6418. Designated Legal Counsel ................................................................................ 24
Periodicals Postage Paid at
Front Royal, VA, and additional offices.
Benefits Directory............................................................................................ 25
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
Obituaries ..................................................................... 26
The Signalman’s Journal, Signalman’s Store ......................................................... 32
The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen,
917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630-6418. Photo Contest Winners for 2022 ................................... 44
Subscription Rates: $10.00 per year, sold only in the
United States and Canada. Single copy price is $3.00. COVER: The Keddie Wye is a railroad junction in the form of a wye
on the Union Pacific Railroad, Plumas County, California. Located
at the town of Keddie, it joins the east-west Feather River Route with
the “Inside Gateway” (BNSF Gateway Subdivision) north to Bieber.
Photo submitted by Local 19 Chairman and Member, Issac Andrade.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Michael S. Baldwin, BRS President
Happy 20
New Year 22
Brothers and Sisters, tunity to bring your vote and voice to the Convention
Happy New Year! As I look to the year ahead, there floor and chart the course of the Brotherhood over the
are many pressing issues we, as an organization, must next four years.
tackle. We are embattled with Carriers in negotiations As the governing document of the BRS, the purpose
for the National Contract, continue to fight PSR, and of the Constitution, as stated in its Preamble, is “To
face resistance from railroads to bargain locally. We promote the interests and general welfare of its members;
face those challenges all while we continue the fight to to provide methods for relief of sickness and distress; to
maintain lifesaving reg- inculcate the principles of
ulations for the safety trade unionism and unity,
of our members, the Article 1, Section 92 that members may secure
public, and railroads. The Convention shall the recognition of rights
However, I would be to which they are justly
remiss not to mention adopt all laws and entitled; to advance and
the upcoming 53rd regulations of gen- elevate the profession of
Regular Convention. eral application for railroad signaling; to edu-
Convention will open the government of cate its members that their
on Monday, June 20, happiness, prosperity, and
at 9:30 a.m., in San
the Brotherhood of general well-being may be
Diego, California, Railroad Signalmen, enhanced; to perpetuate
and is the highest and may alter, amend, itself on the basis of truth,
decision-making body or repeal same. justice, and brotherly love;
of the Brotherhood of and to provide laws for its
Railroad Signalmen. government…” and it“…
This is a very important week for the Brotherhood of shall govern the officers, subordinate units, and members of
Railroad Signalmen (BRS). We gather every four years the Brotherhood in the discharge of their duties and obli-
to choose our Grand Lodge officers and determine our gations according to the high standards of officer-member
goals for the future of this organization through the responsibility and conduct herein required. It also establish-
Resolution and Recommendation process of amending es certain rights and privileges, subject to reasonable quali-
and changing the BRS Constitution. fications, rules, or regulations uniformly imposed governing
their exercise, in order to prevent abuse of such rights and
At your local meetings, over the last four years, you privileges by a few members contrary to the interests of the
have had a chance to speak with your Brothers and great majority and to promote the interests and welfare of
Sisters, discussing ways to strengthen the Brotherhood; all concerned.”
your local or General Committee has had the opportu-
nity to take those suggestions and submit Resolutions Delegates representing Local Lodges and General
to the BRS Constitution for consideration by the entire Committees from across the United States help guide
Convention body. Those elected to represent your local this organization through the challenges that lie ahead.
and General Committees as Delegates have the oppor- Some of the Delegates have been around for a while
2 The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022
and are involved in the day-to-day operations of your
Locals and General Committees. However, I anticipate
many new faces at this Convention, just like the last. As
Grand Lodge officers, we listen and trust that the deci-
sions each Delegate makes are for the benefit of all our
Brothers and Sisters, rather than to benefit an individual
or select few. I am confident that through the unity and
solidarity this Organization is known for, the work we do
at Convention will continue to promote the betterment of
the Organization. I look forward to tackling the challenges
we face today and laying a foundation for the next genera-
tion of Signalmen to build upon.
From my first Convention as a Delegate, to later ones as
a Grand Lodge Representative, Director of Research, Vice
President West, and now President, I look forward to the
conversations with my Brothers and Sisters, both the ones
that promote solidarity, as well as difficult ones with ideas
that differ from mine; they provide a fresh perspective.
It is important for every delegate and member to know
their voices and opinions matter, as we strive to uphold
the membership’s wishes to better the Organization. This
is the great power we possess as a union when we remain
unified compared to fighting a battle alone. These are
the core principles of the union movement; when we The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen is looking
show solidarity, there is nothing we cannot overcome. It forward to working with the new Federal Railroad
is important to educate our members and promote union Administrator, Amit Bose (left). President Baldwin
(right) met with the Administrator who values the
involvement, which supports a strong foundation of union work performed and also the input of Signalmen.
activism.
For more information on the upcoming Convention, con-
tact your local officers and visit www.brs.org. If you would
like to review what the BRS Constitution says about the In Solidarity,
process of Convention, please logon to the “Members
Only” side of the BRS website and review Article I,
Sections 18-24, 88-114, and 130-131. I look forward to
seeing you or your local’s delegate(s) in San Diego. Michael S. Baldwin — BRS President
Article I, Section 18. The officers shall be elected at each regular
Convention. The election shall be the first order of new busi-
ness. The offices for election are as follows: President, Secretary-
Treasurer, Vice President Headquarters, Vice President NRAB,
Vice President West, Vice President Commuter/Passenger,
Vice President East, Vice President Midwest, Trustee, Trustee,
Trustee. This would not prohibit the President from changing
assignments or titles of the Vice Presidents between Conventions.
The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022 3
FROM THE SECRETARY-TREASURER
James M. Finnegan, BRS Secretary-Treasurer
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be forwarded to the Secretary-Treasurer.
d 2010)
Form LM-3 (Revise Page 3 of
4
Labor Management Reporting: LM-2, 3, or 4 Form 941 for 2022:
(Rev. March 2022)
Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return
Department of the Treasury — Internal Revenue Service
950122
OMB No. 1545-0029
Report for this Quarter of 2022
IRS 941 for
Locals Must File with the DOL By MARCH 31, 2022. Q1 2022
—
Employer identification number (EIN)
(Check one.)
Name (not your trade name) 1: January, February, March
2: April, May, June
Trade name (if any)
3: July, August, September
(DUE MAY 2)
Address 4: October, November, December
• LM Forms must be filed within 90 days after the
Number Street Suite or room number
Go to www.irs.gov/Form941 for
instructions and the latest information.
City State ZIP code
end of your local’s fiscal year (12-month reporting Part 1:
Foreign country name
Answer these questions for this quarter.
Foreign province/county
Read the separate instructions before you complete Form 941. Type or print within the boxes.
Foreign postal code
Employer’s Quarterly
period). (941) Federal Tax
1 Number of employees who received wages, tips, or other compensation for the pay period
including: Mar. 12 (Quarter 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Wages, tips, and other compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 .
3 Federal income tax withheld from wages, tips, and other compensation . . . . . . 3 .
Return is for report-
• Labor organizations with greater than $250,000
4 If no wages, tips, and other compensation are subject to social security or Medicare tax Check and go to line 6.
Column 1 Column 2
ing federal income tax
5a Taxable social security wages* . . . × 0.124 = . * Include taxable qualified sick and
family leave wages paid in 2022 for
5a (i) Qualified sick leave wages* . . × 0.062 = . leave taken after March 31, 2021,
in annual receipts must file Form LM-2. Labor
and before October 1, 2021, on line
5a (ii) Qualified family leave wages* . . × 0.062 = . 5a. Use lines 5a(i) and 5a(ii) only for
taxable qualified sick and family
. .
withheld. The form
leave wages paid in 2022 for leave
5b Taxable social security tips . . . × 0.124 = taken after March 31, 2020, and
. .
before April 1, 2021.
5c Taxable Medicare wages & tips. . × 0.029 =
organizations with total annual receipts of less than
5d Taxable wages & tips subject to
Additional Medicare Tax withholding . × 0.009 = .
5e Total social security and Medicare taxes. Add Column 2 from lines 5a, 5a(i), 5a(ii), 5b, 5c, and 5d 5e .
is available on www.
$250,000 may file Form LM-3, less than $10,000
5f Section 3121(q) Notice and Demand—Tax due on unreported tips (see instructions) . . 5f .
.
irs.gov.
6 Total taxes before adjustments. Add lines 3, 5e, and 5f . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
.
may file Form LM-4.
7 Current quarter’s adjustment for fractions of cents . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8 Current quarter’s adjustment for sick pay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .
9 Current quarter’s adjustments for tips and group-term life insurance . . . . . . . 9 .
10 Total taxes after adjustments. Combine lines 6 through 9 . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .
• The term “total annual receipts” means all financial 11a
11b
Qualified small business payroll tax credit for increasing research activities. Attach Form 8974
Nonrefundable portion of credit for qualified sick and family leave wages for leave taken
before April 1, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11b
11a .
. IRS 990, 990-EZ,
receipts of the labor organization during its fiscal 11c
▶
Reserved for future use . . . . .
You MUST complete all three pages of Form 941 and SIGN it.
. . . . .
For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the back of the Payment Voucher.
. . . . . . . . . . . . 11c .
Next ■▶
Form 941 (Rev. 3-2022)
or 990-N
year, regardless of the source.
Cat. No. 17001Z
(DUE MAY 16)
• LM reports for the year 2000 and later may be A tax-exempt organization must file an annual informa-
viewed and downloaded from the OLMS Web site tion return or notice with the IRS, unless an exception
at unionreports.dol.gov. applies. Annual information returns include Form 990,
Form 990-EZ, and Form 990-N. Form 990 is the IRS’
• The only accepted method of completing the LM
primary tool for gathering information about tax-exempt
report is the Electronic Forms System. The first step
organizations, educating organizations about tax law
is to register online at DOL website at https://www.
requirements, and promoting compliance. Organizations
dol.gov/olms/regs/compliance/efs/efsintro.htm. After reg-
also use the Form 990 to share information with the
istering and logging in, report is completed, signed,
public about their programs. Additionally, most states
and submitted online.
4 The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022
990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
rely on Form 990 to There are multiple authorized providers listed, so feel free
OMB No. 1545-0047
2021
Form
Under section 501(c), 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (except private foundations)
Department of the Treasury
▶ Do not enter social security numbers on this form as it may be made public. Open to Public
perform charitable to research and choose a company, to complete and e-file
Internal Revenue Service ▶ Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information. Inspection
A For the 2021 calendar year, or tax year beginning , 2021, and ending , 20
B Check if applicable: C Name of organization D Employer identification number
Address change Doing business as
E Telephone number
and other regulatory
Number and street (or P.O. box if mail is not delivered to street address) Room/suite
your return, that best suits your needs. The list can be
Name change
Initial return
Final return/terminated City or town, state or province, country, and ZIP or foreign postal code
Amended return G Gross receipts $
Application pending F Name and address of principal officer: H(a) Is this a group return for subordinates? Yes No
oversight and to satisfy found on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/
H(b) Are all subordinates included? Yes No
I Tax-exempt status: 501(c)(3) 501(c) ( ) ◀ (insert no.) 4947(a)(1) or 527 If “No,” attach a list. See instructions.
J Website: ▶ H(c) Group exemption number ▶
K Form of organization: Corporation Trust Association Other ▶ L Year of formation: M State of legal domicile:
Part I Summary
1 Briefly describe the organization’s mission or most significant activities:
state income tax fil- tax-year-2019-exempt-organizations-modernized-e-file-
Activities & Governance
2 Check this box ▶ if the organization discontinued its operations or disposed of more than 25% of its net assets.
ing requirements for mef-providers. If you have any questions or would like
3 Number of voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1a) . . . . . . . . . 3
4 Number of independent voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1b) . . . . 4
5 Total number of individuals employed in calendar year 2021 (Part V, line 2a) . . . . . 5
6 Total number of volunteers (estimate if necessary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7a 7a
organizations claiming
Total unrelated business revenue from Part VIII, column (C), line 12 . . . . . . . .
8
b Net unrelated business taxable income from Form 990-T, Part I, line 11 . . . . . . .
Contributions and grants (Part VIII, line 1h) . . . . . . . . . . . .
7b
Prior Year Current Year
assistance on the new e-file requirement or the authorized
Revenue
9 Program service revenue (Part VIII, line 2g) . . . . . . . . . . .
exemption from state providers list, please contact my office.
10 Investment income (Part VIII, column (A), lines 3, 4, and 7d) . . . . . .
11 Other revenue (Part VIII, column (A), lines 5, 6d, 8c, 9c, 10c, and 11e) . . .
12 Total revenue—add lines 8 through 11 (must equal Part VIII, column (A), line 12)
13 Grants and similar amounts paid (Part IX, column (A), lines 1–3) . . . . .
income tax.
14 Benefits paid to or for members (Part IX, column (A), line 4) . . . . . .
15 Salaries, other compensation, employee benefits (Part IX, column (A), lines 5–10)
Expenses
16a Professional fundraising fees (Part IX, column (A), line 11e) . . . . . .
b Total fundraising expenses (Part IX, column (D), line 25) ▶
53rd Regular Convention
17 Other expenses (Part IX, column (A), lines 11a–11d, 11f–24e) . . . . .
18 Total expenses. Add lines 13–17 (must equal Part IX, column (A), line 25) .
19 Revenue less expenses. Subtract line 18 from line 12 . . . . . . . .
All organizations that
Beginning of Current Year End of Year
Fund Balances
Net Assets or
20 Total assets (Part X, line 16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Our 53rd Regular Convention
21 Total liabilities (Part X, line 26) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Net assets or fund balances. Subtract line 21 from line 20 . . . . . .
file Form 990 or Form
Part II Signature Block
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is
true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than officer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
will be held at the San Diego
▲▲
Sign Date
990-EZ must now also
Signature of officer
Here
Type or print name and title
Mission Bay Resort on June
Print/Type preparer’s name Preparer’s signature Date Check if PTIN
Paid self-employed
Preparer
electronically file those
Firm’s name Firm’s EIN
Use Only
▶ ▶
Firm’s address ▶ Phone no.
May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown above? See instructions . . . . . . . . . . . Yes No
20–24, 2022. Delegate cre-
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the separate instructions. Cat. No. 11282Y Form 990 (2021)
returns. This require-
ment is effective for tax years that begin after July 1, 2019. dentials were mailed to the
Since mailing a paper copy of Form 990 is no longer an Recording Secretary of each
option, we have reviewed the IRS Exempt Organization Local lodge in January. Once
Modernized e-File Providers list of authorized IRS provid- your Local lodge has elected delegates, please send the
ers. We found one provider, Form 990 Online (form990. white duplicate copy of the credentials to: Secretary-
org), that does not charge a fee to complete and e-file Treasurer, 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA
Form 990 or Form 990-EZ if gross receipts are less than 22630. Each delegate will then receive detailed informa-
$100,000. Fees DO apply for gross receipts higher than tion on accommodations and registration. If you have any
$100,000. questions, please contact my office at (540) 622-6527.
2022 Standard Mileage Rate
The 2022 standard mileage rate set rates, such as depreciation, insur-
by the IRS will be 58.5 cents per ance, and other fixed and variable
mile, effective January 1, 2022. The costs.
new rate compares to a rate of 56 The mileage rate is used to compute
cents per mile in 2021. the deductible costs of operating an
Please use this rate when calculating automobile for business use in lieu
mileage reimbursement on expense of tracking actual costs. This rate
reports for 2022. is also used as a benchmark by the
58.5 While gasoline is a significant factor
in the mileage figure, other items
enter into the calculation of mileage
federal government and many busi-
nesses to reimburse their employees
for mileage.
The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022 5
JUSTIN PIER
Appointed Grand Lodge Representative
BRS President Michael Baldwin, has announced the Pier obtained a
appointment of Local 161 member Justin Pier as Grand degree in Aircraft
Lodge Representative. He is currently assigned to the Armament
Brotherhood’s Headquarters in Front Royal, Virginia. Systems
Brother Pier began his railroad career in 2013 as an Technology.
Assistant Signalman assigned to a Mobile Construction Industry achieve-
Gang on BNSF Railway. In 2015, he was promoted to ments include
Signalman and has since been a Foreman of a Signal graduation from
Maintenance Gang. In 2020, he was awarded the posi- BNSF Signal
tion of Maintainer, which he worked until his appoint- Apprentice
ment to Grand Lodge. Brother Pier was elected to the Training, comple-
position of Local Chairman in 2020, at which point he tion of many elec-
founded the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalman Local tive BNSF signal
161 Facebook group. training courses,
along with BRS JUSTIN PIER
Brother Pier, a resident of Wichita, Kansas, prior to Local Chairman Grand Lodge Representative
his appointment to the Grand Lodge, has spent most Training.
his life moving across the Central and Southeastern
United States; graduating from Shelby County High Brother Pier, his
School in Columbiana, Alabama. Brother Pier honor- wife Amber, and their two children, JD and Charli, look
ably served his county as a Weapons Loader for the forward to making a new home in Virginia.
B-1 Lancer in the United States Air Force. A graduate
from the Community College of the Air Force, Brother
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen File for Mediation
JANUARY 24, 2022 — The Brotherhood of TD. The NCCC met with the CBC 11 times
Railroad Signalmen requested invocation of between February 26, 2020, and January 19,
the services of the National Mediation Board 2022, with little or no movement on the issues
(NMB), pursuant to the Railway Labor Act. from the NCCC. Due to bad faith bargaining of
A formal Section 6 notice was filed with the the Carriers, the CBC, including the BRS, had
National Carriers’ Conference Committee no choice but to invoke mediation.
(NCCC) on December 19, 2019. Michael Baldwin, BRS President, requested the
The BRS is a member of the Coordinated Board accept jurisdiction over these disputes,
Bargaining Coalition (CBC), the coalition and a mediator be assigned as soon as possible to
includes: ATDA, BLET, BRC, IAM, IBB, expedite the mediation process.
IBEW, NCFO, TCU, TWU, and SMART-
6 The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022
BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD SIGNALMEN
53RD REGULAR CONVENTION
T
he 53rd Regular Convention will convene on Monday,
June 20, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., at the San Diego Mission
Bay Resort, 1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego,
California.
Hotel reservations may be made by calling the San Diego
Mission Bay Resort at (877) 313-6645, or you may submit your
reservation online by visiting San Diego Mission Bay Resort.
If you make your reservation by phone, please request the group
code “2022 BRS CONVENTION” and “BRS622” in order
to secure the Convention room rate of $219 per night, for up to
two adults per room. You do not need to enter the number of
children that will be with you. There will be an additional charge
for more than two adults in the room.
The deadline for hotel reservations is May 19, 2022.
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DID YOU KNOW?
TITLE 49: TRANSPORTATION
§234.103 TIMELY RESPONSE TO REPORT OF MALFUNCTION
(a) Upon receipt of a credible report of a warning 234.106 or 234.107 of this part.
system malfunction, a railroad having mainte- (c) Nothing in this subpart requires repair of a
nance responsibility for the warning system shall warning system, if, acting in accordance with
promptly investigate the report and determine applicable State law, the railroad proceeds to
the nature of the malfunction. The railroad shall discontinue or dismantle the warning system.
take appropriate action as required by §234.207. However, until repair, correction, discontinuance,
(b) Until repair or correction of the warning sys- or dismantling of the warning system is com-
tem is completed, the railroad shall provide alter- pleted, the railroad shall comply with this subpart
native means of warning highway traffic and rail- to ensure the safety of the traveling public and
road employees in accordance with §§234.105, railroad employees.
The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022 7
America’s Largest Transportation Labor Coalition
Gains Three More Unions, Unifies Rail Labor
T
he Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU);
(TTD), America’s largest coalition of transpor- Transport Workers Union of America (TWU); and
tation labor unions, announced the affiliation UNITE HERE.
of three more unions, bringing the coalition’s total The BLET represents more than 57,000 active and
membership to 36 affiliated unions. TTD proudly wel- retired members, including Locomotive Engineers,
comes the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Conductors, Brakemen, Firemen, Switchmen, Hostlers,
Trainmen (BLET), and Brotherhood of Maintenance and other Train Service Employees on U.S. railroads.
of Way Employes (BMWED), both divisions of the
Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of “Our re-affiliation with TTD and its Rail Labor Division
Teamsters, and the International Union of Painters and (RLD) once again unites all rail labor unions in one com-
Allied Trades (IUPAT) to its membership. mon Organization. We look forward to working with
all of TTD’s officers, staff, and affiliated unions; we are
Significantly, the re-affiliation of BLET and BMWED always stronger, and our members are best represented
means all of America’s rail labor unions have a uni- when we are working together,” said BLET President
fied voice. In addition to BLET and BMWED, the Dennis Pierce.
Rail Labor Division includes the American Train
Dispatchers Association (ATDA); Brotherhood of The BMWED represents nearly 26,000 workers who
Railroad Signalmen (BRS); International Association build and maintain the tracks, bridges, buildings, and
of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW); other structures on railroads across the nation.
International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail “I am excited for the prospect of advancements for all
and Transportation Workers (SMART); International railroad workers that could come through all of rail labor
Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, uniting under TTD. I look forward to working with
Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB); International TTD President Greg Regan, Secretary-Treasurer Shari
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); National Semelsberger, and the very capable TTD Staff. Rail Labor
Conference of Firemen & Oilers, SEIU (NCFO); is always strongest and prospers most when we stand united
Belonging to a Union
What do my dues pay for?
The Union doesn’t do
anything for me!
What good is the Union?
These are all questions we may have asked ourselves
or heard others asking. The truth is, “there is power
in a union” and it takes the dues and involvement of
all members to maintain that power, strength, and
solidarity; a fundamental involvement includes an
understanding from all members.
Sign-up at WWW.BRS.ORG & click on the
Union Education Tab for more information.
8 The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022against the railroads, and TTD will certainly help with Wilson. The BMWED was once an International union
our fight,” said BMWED President Freddie Simpson. with more than 350,000 members in the United States
and Canada. The BMWE merged with the International
IUPAT represents more than 160,000 active and Brotherhood of Teamsters in 2005.
retired workers in the United States and Canada.
IUPAT was founded as the Brotherhood of Painters
IUPAT’s members work in the Finishing Trades as
and Decorators of America in 1887. Since then, the
industrial and commercial painters and perform members of the IUPAT have followed the mantra that
essential work in the transportation sector by paint- “Single-handed we can accomplish nothing; but united
ing bridges, parking, traffic and air strip lines, trucks, there is no power of wrong we may not openly defy.”
automobile, railroad cars, ships, and aircraft.
TTD is a coalition of 36 affiliated labor unions repre-
“The IUPAT knows that our strength comes from our senting workers in every mode of transportation. Simply
solidarity with one another. Times have been tough, and put, TTD is the voice of transportation labor in America.
we have to stick together now more than ever. We look
forward to working with our partners in the TTD across
our shared industry to raise the bar for the working class,”
said IUPAT President Jimmy Williams, Jr.
@
Transportation labor will play a critical role in ensur-
DID
ing that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (IIJA) is implemented in a manner that grows
good-paying union jobs while rebuilding the nation’s
deteriorating transportation infrastructure and revital-
izing the economy. Meanwhile, frontline transporta-
tion workers continue to perform their essential work
during the pandemic and a wave of unpredictable YOU
KNOW?
@
COVID-19 variants. By making TTD’s collective
voice more extensive and more diverse with the addi-
tion of these three unions, transportation labor is the
strongest it’s ever been to tackle these challenges.
“2022 will be a year of tremendous challenges and The Brotherhood of
opportunities,” said TTD President Greg Regan. “Our
task will be made more difficult by a narrowly divided Railroad Signalmen
and increasingly partisan Congress, and, of course, the offers free email
midterm elections looming in November. By welcoming accounts to all
IUPAT, BLET, and BMWED into the TTD family, members and retirees.
transportation labor is more unified and prepared for the
challenges ahead.”
Get your free BRS email account today,
by registering at www.BRS.org
BLET is North America’s oldest rail labor union. The
Already registered on the BRS website?
BLET marked its 150th anniversary in 2013 and was
founded in Detroit, Michigan, on May 8, 1863, as the
You can still sign-up for
Brotherhood of the Footboard; a year later, its name was an email account —
changed to The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. simply go to the
The BLE merged with the International Brotherhood of “Member Resources”
Teamsters and became the BLET on January 1, 2004. page on our website to
BMWED was founded as a fraternal organization in register for a FREE email address.
Demopolis, Alabama, in 1887 by Track Foreman John T.
The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022 9COORDINATED BARGAINING COALITION
NATIONAL
NEGOTIATIONS
CBC UNIONS SUPPORT BMWED/SMART
MECHANICAL REQUEST FOR AN END TO MEDIATION
By letter dated February 24, 2022, the rail bar- ing mediation that there is little, if any, hope
gaining coalition made up of the Brotherhood of reaching a voluntary agreement in light
of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the rail carriers’ refusal to bargain in good
of the Teamsters Rail Conference (BMWED) faith with any of the Rail Unions. Therefore,
and the Mechanical Division of the the CBC fully expects to be making the
International Association of Sheet Metal, same request for a release, and once all Rail
Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Union Unions are released from mediation, the CBC
(SMART Mechanical) petitioned the National will stand alongside the BMWED/SMART
Mediation Board (NMB) for a proffer of Mechanical Coalition through the final steps
arbitration, requesting to be released from of the Railway Labor Act negotiation process
continued mediation sessions. If granted by to bring the bargaining round to a successful
the NMB, the proffer of arbitration is the conclusion.
next step in the process towards self-help and *The unions comprising the Coordinated
a potential Presidential Emergency Board to Bargaining Coalition are: the American
settle their contract dispute with the Nation’s Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA); the
rail carriers. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and
Trainmen/Teamsters Rail Conference (BLET);
The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS);
Unions*, which are likewise in negotia- the International Association of Machinists
tions with the same rail carriers, support the (IAM); the International Brotherhood of
BMWED/SMART Mechanical request to be Boilermakers (IBB); the National Conference
released from mediation and agree that the of Firemen & Oilers/SEIU (NCFO); the
parties are at impasse and should be allowed International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW); the Transport Workers
to move the contract dispute to the next steps
Union of America (TWU); the Transportation
of the Railway Labor Act’s negotiation pro- Communications Union/IAM (TCU), including
cess. Although the CBC Unions are also in TCU’s Brotherhood Railway Carmen Division
mediation with their next NMB-mediated (BRC); and the Transportation Division of the
bargaining session scheduled in March, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air,
CBC made it clear to the NMB upon enter- Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD).
Collectively, the CBC unions represent more than 105,000 railroad workers covered by the
various organizations’ national agreements, and comprise over 80% of the workforce who will
be impacted by this round of negotiations. Visit www.brs.org for more information.
10 The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022Early Retirement Plan Increases Maximum
T
he lifetime maximum benefit for each indi- An important consideration for individuals thinking
vidual covered under The Railroad Employees about retirement is health coverage after retirement.
National Early Retirement Major Medical The information below summarizes the eligibility
Benefit Plan (UnitedHealthcare’s Policy GA-46000) requirements under the National Early Retirement
is adjusted each year based on the medical cost com- Major Medical Benefit Plan.
ponent of the Consumer Price Index. As of January
1, 2022, this maximum will increase to $182,700.
Eligibility Rules Enrollment Is Necessary
For Age Annuitants: When you retire, your railroad will not report you to
• You apply for a 60/30 annuity for which you are UnitedHealthcare as a retiree eligible for GA-46000.
eligible: You must enroll yourself and your family with
UnitedHealthcare. You can do this in two ways:
on or after the date you reach age 60, or
• You can purchase GA-23111, Plan E supplemental
anytime during the three months before your coverage. Your eligibility for GA-46000 will be veri-
60th birthday, provided you continue working fied when your enrollment for that coverage is pro-
into, or received vacation pay during, the month cessed. ID cards for both GA-46000 and GA-23111
before the month in which you turn age 60. will be sent to you. A booklet explaining the Plan E
On the day before you apply for your annuity, you benefits and an Enrollment form can be obtained by
must be covered (other than under COBRA) under The calling UnitedHealthcare.
Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan. • You can complete and return the “Retiree and
For Disability Annuitants: Dependent Information” form found in the center
of the GA-46000 employee booklet. Your eligibility
• You have a current connection with the railroad
will be verified and a GA-46000 ID card will be sent
industry.
to you. You can obtain a GA-46000 booklet from
• You have applied for a disability annuity to which your employer or union representative.
you are entitled.
• You are covered under The Railroad Employees
National Health and Welfare Plan (other than by
COBRA) on the day before the latest of the follow- If you have any questions
ing dates: about your eligibility for
The date you reach age 60, GA-46000
The date you became disabled, or or the benefits provided
The date your railroad service equals 30 years. under the Plan,
If you retire and are eligible for GA-46000, you can Call UnitedHealthcare at
also purchase supplemental coverage under GA-23111,
Plan E. Generally, Plan E pays 70% of the expenses not
paid under GA-46000 and has a lifetime maximum of
1-800-842-5252
$500,000.
The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022 11Q
&A
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
Reporting Events That Can
Affect Railroad Retirement Benefits
Rights to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act also carry
responsibilities for reporting events that may affect the payment
of these benefits to the employee or to members of the employee’s
family. If these events are not reported to an RRB field office,
benefit overpayments can occur that have to be repaid, some-
times with interest and penalties. It is important to know that knowingly making
a false or fraudulent statement or withholding information to receive benefits is a
crime under Federal law which may be punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.
Events that can affect the payment of a railroad retirement annuity and result in overpayments
if not promptly reported to agency field offices include:
• entitlement to social security or certain other benefits, • the death of an annuitant;
and changes in the amount of such benefit payments; • a change in marital status;
• post-retirement work activity and the receipt of earnings • a child leaving the care of a spouse or widow(er);
by age and service annuitants;
• a student ceasing full-time school attendance.
• post-retirement work activity, whether earnings are
received or not, by disability annuitants;
The following questions and answers describe how these events affect
railroad retirement benefits and what should be done to prevent overpayments.
How can the awarding of social security These reductions follow principles of social security law
benefits result in a railroad retirement which limit payment to the higher of any two or more
annuity overpayment? benefits payable to an individual at one time.
The tier I portion of a railroad retirement annuity is based If a railroad retirement annuitant is also awarded a social
on both the railroad retirement and social security credits security benefit, in most cases a combined monthly dual
acquired by an employee and figured under social security benefit payment will be issued by the Railroad Retirement
formulas. It approximates what social security would pay if Board (RRB). The Social Security Administration deter-
railroad work were covered by social security. Tier I benefits mines the amount of the social security benefit due, and
are, therefore, reduced by the amount of any actual social the RRB determines the amount of the railroad retirement
security benefit paid on the basis of nonrailroad employ- annuity due. (As stated above, the tier I portion of a rail-
ment, in order to prevent a duplication of benefits based road retirement annuity is reduced by the amount of the
on the same earnings. social security benefit due.)
The tier I dual benefit reduction also applies to the annu- A person should notify an RRB field office when fil-
ity of an employee qualified for social security benefits on ing for social security benefits. If the Social Security
the earnings record of another person, such as a spouse. In Administration begins paying benefits directly to a railroad
addition, the tier I portion of a spouse, divorced spouse, or retirement annuitant without the RRB’s knowledge, a tier
survivor annuity is reduced for any social security entitle- I overpayment will occur. This frequently happens when a
ment, even if the social security benefit is based on the railroad employee’s spouse or widow(er) is awarded social
spouse’s, divorced spouse’s, or survivor’s own earnings. security benefits not based on the employee’s earnings.
12 The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022Also, annuitants who are receiving their social security If annuitants become entitled to any of the above pay-
benefits directly from the Social Security Administration ments, or if there is any question as to whether a pay-
must notify an RRB field office if their social security ben- ment requires a reduction in their annuities, they should
efits are subsequently increased for any reason other than promptly notify an RRB field office.
annual cost-of-living increases, such as a recomputation
to reflect post-retirement earnings. Since such recomputa- Can post-retirement work activity
tions are usually retroactive, they can result in substantial and earnings cause railroad retirement
tier I overpayments. overpayments?
While social security benefit information is provided to Unreported post-retirement work activity and earnings
the RRB as a result of routine information exchanges in nonrailroad employment (including self employment)
between the RRB and the Social Security Administration, are a major cause of overpayments in railroad retirement
it will generally not be provided in time to avoid such a annuities. Like social security benefits, railroad retirement
benefit overpayment. tier I benefits paid to employees and spouses, plus tier I,
and tier II benefits paid to survivors, are subject to deduc-
What other types of benefit payments, tions if post-retirement earnings exceed certain exempt
besides social security benefits, require dual amounts, which increase annually.
benefit reductions in a railroad retirement These earnings deductions do not apply to those who
annuity? have attained full social security retirement age. Under the
For employees eligible for a railroad retirement annuity Social Security Act, full retirement age for employees and
and a Federal, State, or local government pension, there spouses is age 66 for those born from 1943 through 1954
may be a reduction in tier I for receipt of a public pension and gradually increases to age 67 for those born in 1960
based, in part or in whole, on employment not covered by or later. Full retirement age for survivor annuitants ranges
social security or railroad retirement after 1956. This may from age 66 for those born from 1945 through 1956 to
also apply to certain other payments not covered by social age 67 for those born in 1962 or later.
security, such as payments from a non-profit organiza- For those under full retirement age throughout 2021, the
tion or from a foreign government or a foreign employer. exempt earnings amount is $18,960. It rises to $19,560
However, it does not include military service pensions, in 2022. For beneficiaries attaining full retirement age
payments by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or cer- in 2021, the exempt earnings amount is $50,520 for the
tain benefits payable by a foreign government as a result of months before the month full retirement age is attained.
a totalization agreement between that government and the In 2022, the exempt earnings amount will be $51,960.
United States. Prior to the calendar year in which full retirement age
The tier I portion of a spouse or widow(er)’s annu- is attained, the earnings deduction is $1 in benefits for
ity may also be reduced for receipt of any Federal, State every $2 of earnings over the exempt amount. For those
or local government pension separately payable to the attaining full retirement age during a calendar year, the
spouse or widow(er) based on her or his own earnings. deduction is $1 for every $3 of earnings over the exempt
The reduction generally does not apply if the employment amount in the months before the month full retirement
on which the public pension is based was covered under age is attained.
the Social Security Act throughout the last 60 months of Annuitants who work after retirement and expect that
public employment. In addition, most military service their earnings for a year will be more than the annual
pensions and payments from the Department of Veterans exempt amount must promptly notify an RRB field office
Affairs will not cause a reduction. Pensions paid by a for- and furnish an estimate of their expected earnings. This
eign government or interstate instrumentality will also not way their annuities can be adjusted to take the excess
cause a reduction. earnings into consideration and prevent an overpayment.
Annuitants whose original estimate changes significantly
If an employee is receiving a disability annuity, tier I
during the year, either upwards or downwards, should also
benefits for the employee and spouse may, under certain
notify the RRB.
circumstances, be reduced for receipt of workers’ compen-
sation or public disability benefits. Retired employees and spouses, regardless of age, who
The Signalman’s Journal 1st Quarter 2022 13You can also read
