• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
    Washington State Legislative Board
    Workplace Safety, Health and Education
     
    What We Do
    Local DEMO has been fighting for working class families for more than 70 year. We stand up for our members in the legislative, political, and social landscapes.
     
    Who We Are
    Our staff is made up of hard working men and women who know workers rights. Our E-Board has more than 100 years of combined experience standing up to employers.
     
    Who We Represent
    We represent works from this specific industry. This type of worker, that type of worker, you can enter any details you want in this spot.

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    HB - 1841, Establishing Minimum Train Crew Size on Certain Trains, was enacted into state law, on June 11, 2020, by Governor Jay Inslee. The State of Washington has maintained a Passenger Train Crew Law, enacted on March 21, 1911. An important thing to understand is that Class I Freight Railroads were once regulated under the Interstate Commerce Commission, whose operational description was categorized as a Public Utility. This allowed for state residents with train crew laws, to vote 'for' or 'against' when State Voting Initiatives were filed by the Association of American Railroads in each state with crewing laws in order to reduce their numbers through the ballot box. Class I railroads have been privatized since the Staggers Act was passed by the days Federal Administration in the 1980's, which is why each state now has the ability to protect the safety of its citizens safety from private industry and are able to establish train crew size without the concern of federal preemption.


    To All Members, Please take a look at the associated information page, which illustrates the purpose of our safety bill. I know and truly believe this is something we can all connect with. The need to be able to attend to our health when sick, as every other worker in the State of Washington is afforded.
    Download: HB1843 Safe Leave Act for Railroad Workers.pdf


    To All Members, IN A MEETING WITH THE UNITED LABOR LOBBY OF THE WASHINGTON STATE LABOR COUNCIL, WHICH ARE THE LOBBYIST’S THAT REPRESENT AND WORK IN THE BEHALF OF ALL THE REPRESENTED LABOR UNIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE COUNCIL.
    Download: HB1841 FABRICATIONS VS FACTS - SENATE REVISIONS - 04-12-2019 (1).pdf


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    LAWS AND REGULATIONS

    Laws and Regulations which have direct connection or are related to the railroad industry

    Washington Job Protection Agreement 

    Taft - Hartley Act 

    Landrum - Griffin Act

    Wagner Act

    Railway Labor Act

    Railroad Safety Improvement Act

    Federal Employers Liability Act

    Family Medical Leave Act

    Federal Transit Act


    RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


    THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS A MESSAGE PROVIDED BY WALT A. BARROWS, FORMER LABOR MEMBER OF THE U.S. - RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD.

    The Union provides a Legislative voice in Washington D.C., and stability to the retirement system, of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen - Membership. All progressed through the Labor Movement. Sacrifices, made directly by Railroaders that have earned the right to have it. Railroad Retirement is not a gift, it was earned. Railroaders have made the company's and executives successful. Railroad Retirement is a pay as you go system, and must have continued investment by the workforce. Railroad Workers numbers have reduced, but the RRB has found ways to create a prosperous present and future. This is important to pass on to the future workforce, so they have a viable retirement.

    There is a pending retirement crisis, and 401k are not a silver bullet retirement fund. These plans were intended to be an addition, not a permanent solution. As information, for those who have worked in other industries, Social Security earnings can be rolled into Railroad Retirement.

    Under Railroad Retirement, the following are made available to the railroad workers.

    • Survivor Benefits
    • Retirement at 60 years of age, versus 65 for the non-railroad workers.
    • $2 million dollars received over retirement years. Non-railroad workers will receive less then half - $900,000.00.

    Currently, the RRB is being monitarily pinched by Congress. Reducing services to our members through staff reductions, etc. Less then $0.01cent, goes to  to the RRB Administration from the US Government. A minimum of 1 hour wait times, for services to be provided by phone, 300 days for disability benefits. What this essentially accounts for, is the inadequate budget provided by the current president, to the RRB.  A portion of Mick Mulvaney's budget proposal, the co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, is to make cuts to Social Security. In doing so, cuts to disability benefits directly affects railroaders, as this is our basis for Railroad Retirement. 

    Under Sequestration, monies set aside for Government Programs, none of this money to be received by railroaders - $60 million dollars total have been cut. This money does not aide the Federal Deficit, but goes to the pockets of the Corporations. 

    President Trump suggests to reconstruct the Executive Branch, which would essentially deconstruct the Railroad Retirement Board, as it is a part of this branch of government. 

    There have also been talks of a private pension, which is a very bad idea, as it would be based on negotiated employer contributions. Under Railroad Retirement, we all pay into our retirement as workers, and the railroad pays no matter what. 

    As words of understanding, fight any and all projected changes to Railroad Retirement, and Right to Work will weaken our union and disable our ability to protect Railroad Retirement.

    Elections
    Senator Liz Lovelett, 40th Legislative District
    Senator Phil Fortunato, 31st Legislative District
    Senator Hanz Zeiger, 25th Legislative District
    Senator Ann Rivers, 18th Legislative District
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