n the past it has often been said that if all rail labor could come together we could make positive changes for all railroad workers and their families. Each of us has our own reasons for embracing the proposed changes. That being said please allow me to provide some of the reasoning for the proposed changes, some history, and what is going on to further it. And I warn you, this may be a little long in that explanation.

 

I wrote a rough draft of the proposed changes in late 2008. It was then presented to Railroad Workers United, of which I am a member. Through much discussion with rank and file members, and with the membership and steering committee of Railroad Workers United, and a great deal of input the final product is what you are seeing, reading, and signing petitions for, today. Jon Flanders of the IAMAW, Ed Michaels of the UTU, Ron Kaminko of the BLET, Matt Weaver of the BMWED, and myself, Ron Friend of the BMWED just to name a few. The many fellow members of the Railroad Workers United added their voices, ideas, time, talents, and opinions through emails, conference calls, personal calls, and on the job discussions

to provide a proposal that is realistic, common sense, provides reasonable choices, and is feasible for the benefit of ALL railroad workers, their families, and generations of railroaders to come. It is our shared belief that the proposed changes to railroad retirement meet those goals.

 

Currently we have few choices for retirement. Age 60 with 30 years service, or age 62 with less than 30 years service. What comes with that is if a railroad worker is age 62 and has less than 30 years service they can retire. However, they are also looking at a possible 20%+ cut in retirement pay. And the same cut in retirement pay for their spouse.

 

Age 58, with 30 years service, offers more reasonable choices for full retirement for the individual railroad worker. With this proposal the individual railroad worker can, if they so choose, retire with full benefits at age 58 with 30 years service. Additionally, a railroad worker that is age 58, with less than 30 years service, may retire if they so choose, with a far less cut in retirement pay. The proposed change is for a 2% reduction in retirement pay for each year less than 30 years up to a maximum of 5 years less than 30 years. In other words a railroad worker that is 58 years of age with 25 years service may retire, if they so choose, with a 10% reduction in retirement pay. Also, a railroad worker that has 30 years service but is younger than 58 may still be able to retire, if they so choose. That option, too, is a maximum of 5 years younger than age 58. In other words, a railroad worker that is age 53 and has 30 years service may retire with a 10% reduction in retirement pay if they so choose. Those are choices that the individual railroad worker can make. Whom better than the individual railroad worker knows your financial situation? And whom better than the individual railroad workers knows when it is time for them to retire? The proposed changes provide that choice.

 

Under current legislation (Railroad Survivorship Act of 2001) the spouse of a railroad worker can qualify for railroad retirement benefits at age 60. This is also true for the widow/widowers of deceased railroad workers. The proposed changes reduce that age to 50 for the spouse of a railroad worker to receive full retirement benefits and age 50 for the widows/widowers of deceased railroad workers. Just think of how many widows/widowers of deceased railroad workers are unable to qualify for railroad retirement benefits simply because they are too young.

Everything that they, and their now deceased railroad worker spouse, worked for may now be in jeopardy. And it is not unusual for many of those widows to have been the partner that stayed at home, took care of the home, raised the children, and did not go into the public job market. Suddenly, at age 50 or older but younger than 60, they are going to have to compete for jobs just to survive. Ask around. We have railroad worker brothers and sisters that are working right now that could have retired. Often they are still working because their spouse is too young to receive full benefits. This proposal would make a positive change in each of the previously described situations. The proposed changes are realistic and necessary.

 

This is perhaps the only industry that penalizes the worker by loss of service months for furloughs, sickness, or disability. This proposal simply proposes that every railroad worker receive credit for every service month, every year, beginning the day that worker is hired until the day the worker retires, or reaches retirement age if the worker becomes disabled.

 

Many of our railroad worker brothers and sisters leave this industry through disability. And often they leave their medical benefits as well. That is unrealistic. Currently, the family of a disabled railroad worker may lose their insured benefits one year after the railroad worker becomes disabled. And the railroad worker may lose those insured benefits two years after becoming disabled? So what we have are disabled brothers and sisters, and their families, not only disabled and no longer able to earn income but forced to pay for their own insured benefits as well. And the industry of which they worked day in and day out, in any type of weather, at any hour, pays nothing for that workers much needed insured benefits. So not only are they losing service months toward full retirement, they are either losing insured benefits or must pay out of their own pocket. The proposed change is that the railroad carrier pay the premiums for those insured benefits that the worker had BEFORE they became disabled for the worker and their qualifying dependents.

 

It is not unusual for retired railroad workers to be paying, out of their own pocket, three or four hundred, or more, dollars per month for insured benefits. The proposed change is that the carriers pay fifty (50%) percent of those insured benefit premiums. After all, the worker gave the best years of their lives, in all types of weather at all hours, for the railroad company.

 

With the many conflicts that our nation has been involved in we have many younger military veterans within our ranks. They volunteered to keep our freedoms. And yet, currently a military veteran can only accrue service months if they began their railroad career BEFORE they entered the military. The proposed change is that any veteran may receive full credit for military service months, up to a maximum of 4 years military service, towards railroad retirement.

 

And lastly the proposed change that all caps for taxable railroad retirement payroll taxes be removed so that every railroad employee/contributor pay railroad retirement taxes, every pay, from January 1 through December 31. That means everyone. From the Presidents and CEOs of the railroad companies, the rail labor leaders, and everyone else that earns over the maximum not have a cap but pay into the railroad retirement trust as well. The feedback I've gotten from many that do earn over the cap is that "if this is what it takes to get these changes then so be it". One such brother even reminded me that there have been many, over the years, that passed away with no heirs and their retirement money is there for the rest of us when we retire, or our heirs.

 

In 1997 I wrote a proposal for full retirement at age 55 with 30 years service. Soon after it was publicized in the BMWE Journal it snowballed through all railroad labor crafts. Eventually, it was changed by some labor leaders to 60 years of age with 30 years service, and better benefits for widows/widowers of deceased railroad workers. Many of those widow/widowers were able to receive full retirement benefits rather than one half after enactment of the Railroad Survivorship Act of 2001.

 

With this proposal I sent a copy to each rail labor leader with a request for their endorsement and to publish the proposed changes in their respective labor Journals and news letters so that all of the rank and file of all railroad labor organizations could read them. I have received three responses. Of those three responses two, the BMWED and the BLET, have requested actuarial studies to determine financial feasibility of those proposed changes. To date the proposed changes have yet to be published in any rail labor journal. Railroad workers deserve the opportunity to read these proposed changes and offer their feedback. That , I believe, is reasonable. Whom better to offer input than the ones that this will affect?

 

With the Railroad Survivorship Act of 2001 the railroad companies, collectively, received a savings of nearly $300 million, per year, that they no longer had to pay into railroad retirement. That is why I believe that asking the carriers to pay proportionately for insured benefits for disabled workers and retirees is not out of the question. I believe it is reasonable.

 

What are the other benefits of this proposal?

 

Affordable health care for our retirees, our disabled, and their qualifying family members, and widows/widowers. Something our nations leaders are struggling with right now.

 

Recognition of the sacrifice of our nations younger military veterans with reasonable service months added towards railroad retirement. I am veteran and I started my railroad career before I was drafted in 1972. I could have received credit for those service months if it would have been necessary. I believe that our younger generation of veterans have earned this proposed change.

Job opportunities. With the passage of these proposed changes their will be an opportunity for the unemployed and the underemployed for good paying jobs with good benefits, nationwide.

 

This is another problem our nations leaders are struggling with. And yet, this proposal opens the door, through the railroad industry, to offer great opportunities for those very fellow citizens. An opportunity that can become a reality through rail labor and railroad companies working together. That has got to be excellent public relations for organized labor and the railroads. The potential for federal assistance for hiring and training those potential new railroad workers is there with this proposal. Organized labor would reap the benefits of a new generation of railroad workers and quell the anti labor voices. Especially when we are creating job opportunities, affordable health care, addressing our disabled brothers and sisters needs as well as our retirees. What politician, what labor leader, what railroad carrier would even think about saying no?

Very few with the technology available today to spread the word.

 

Many of the railroad carriers, today, are showing that a large percentage of their FRA reportable injuries are with soft tissue injuries of railroad workers with 30 plus years. Back sprains, bad knees, shoulders, etc. This proposal would greatly reduce those type of FRA reportable injuries in that the workers with those service years would be able to retire if they so choose.

 

The proposed changes directly addresses many of the current problems our nations leaders are struggling with today. It is reasonable, it is common sense, and it can be done by railroaders for railroaders.

 

With that being said I am asking each of you to pass the word to all of your railroad brothers and sisters. Share it with your retired brothers and sisters. Help your disabled brothers and sisters.

 

Request your labor leaders to endorse it and let us get the legislation of these proposed changes while we can prove to the nation that those in the railroad industry, labor and management, can move this nation again by railroad.

 

With the figures I received from the Railroad Retirement Board Actuary in 1999 and the collective savings of the railroad carriers with the Railroad Survivorship Act of 2001 the financial feasibility should be more than there.

 

Remove the caps             1999 figures                  $347 million per year into Railroad Retirement

Collective savings            2001 legislation               $300 million per year

 

                                                                          Total $637 million

 

And that is figures from 1999 and 2001. Today's figures are quite likely larger. The proposed changes will NOT bankrupt Railroad Retirement.

When we reach 10,000 signatures we will be asking everyone to notify their Congressman, their Senators, and President Obama and Vice-President Biden for their help with this endeavor. Hopefully, we will have the requested actuarial study figures by then and positive communication from more rail labor leaders.

 

So where can you get copies of the proposed changes to railroad retirement?

Where can you read the updates on railroad retirement reform and other railroad related activities?

Can you become a Railroad Workers United member?

Yes, membership is open to all with annual dues of $50.00 per year.

What does your dues money go for?

National campaigns such as this one. While all of the work is voluntary.

Railroad Workers United http://railroadworkersunited.org/

 

You can either print out a hard copy or sign the petition on line at that site. Your spouse/significant other can sign the petition on line as well. This campaign is for us and our families.

 

Want to be included on the group list for updates?

Send an email to

changerrretirement@railroadworkersunited.org

 

Include your name/craft in the subject.

 

There is a national reform railroad retirement conference call on the last Tuesday of every month. Septembers will be Tuesday, September 29. Everyone is invited to dial in. All we ask is who you are and your craft.

 

The information regarding the conference call is:

Time: 5:00 PM Pacific; 6:00 PM Mountain; 7:00 PM Central; 8:00 PM Eastern

Phone Number: 218-862-1300

Bridge Number: (Access Code) 409179

 

I thank each of you for your time, your work, and I hope you will print off copies and share with your fellow railroaders.

In solidarity,

Ron Friend

I am one of those folks that always hated getting form letters. However, with the petition drive for proposed changes to railroad retirement, and over 200 letters received to date, I have to resort to just that because I believe that everyone that took the time to send in petitions should receive an update. So here is a form letter from a guy that hates form letters.
 
As of today we have over 5300 signatures from the rank and file of ALL rail labor organizations, and managers, in favor of the proposed changes to railroad retirement. That figure represents thirty states, and all Class 1 railroads as well as many shortline railroads as well. Thanks to each of you, and your coworkers and fellow union brothers and sisters this initiative is progressing.

I have enclosed for you some additional petitions, a copy of the proposed changes, some of the new stickers, a Railroad Workers United application, and a letter for endorsement from local union lodges.
 
I would appreciate it if everyone would pass the word along that although someone may have included their email address when they signed the petition, I am sorry if they are not receiving periodic updates from me.
 
The reason being is that I may have missed their email address, or made a typo, or whatever. So if you could please share that they can send me an email: railroadron@suddenlink.net and I’ll make sure they are added to the group list for updates.

What is next? I have personally sent a letter to each leader of each rail labor organization. I have received responses from three. BMWED, BLET, and the UTU. To make this move we need their help. Plus Congress, and the Rail Carriers. The labor leaders need to hear from their membership. What I propose is that everyone make copies of the proposed changes and give them to everyone. Every railroader you come into contact with. And any furloughed railroaders, and disabled as well. Then ask each of them to make copies but to send one, themselves, to their respective labor leader. And with that copy of the proposed changes include a request that we would appreciate their endorsement of the proposed changes, and that they have the proposed changes published in the next union Journal and newsletter as well as post it online for the entire rank and file to read. Those labor leaders need to hear it from their membership, not just one person named....

Ron Friend

 

The idea for the proposed changes to railroad retirement came from within the rank and file and it is your input that will make it happen.  So where do we go from here.  As many of you know each rail labor leader has received a copy of the proposed changes but I believe they need to see it from more than me.  That's why I'm asking for everyone to go to  http://railroadworkersunited.org/ and you can print off copies of the proposal. 

 

Share them with all of your coworkers and ask everyone to send them to the President of their respective labor organizations.  Along with the proposed changes ask them to print it in the labor journals for everyone to read.  That is how we are going to get the word out to as many of our brothers and sisters in rail labor.  It also will encourage those same labor leaders to take action.  We are not the adversaries, we are the rank and file membership of rail labor. The proposed changes are for the benefit of ALL rail labor, their spouses, as well as our retirees and our disabled brothers and sisters. 

With our nations leaders struggling with the issues of high unemployment, health care, retiree and disabled medical care how can a proposal that addresses those issues with a common sense approach not be of interest and beneficial to our nation as well as rail labor?  No other proposal out there coming out of Washington, or any other industries, can say that.  We can.    I am asking for everyone to make that extra effort to get as many signatures as possible through the month of July.  And that includes spouses, furloughed workers, retirees, and the disabled.  This proposal can have a positive effect on everyone.  Too often we, as railroaders, keep information within our own circle.  Share it with all those other railroad workers.  Dispatchers, track workers, bridge workers, train crew, everyone.  This is one subject that everyone should be talking about. 

We cannot only make positive changes for ourselves but for generations of railroaders to come.  That, my friends, is a legacy.  That is what organize labor is all about.   Additionally, the new stickers/decals for 58/30 are available to be printed on the Railroad Workers United website as well.   And do I need help?  Yes indeed I do.  To date I have in excess of over 600 email contacts that this information goes to.  I am asking for someone, or someones, to help by posting these messages on-line to every source available (yardlimits.com, etc.) to spread the word and let me know where all it is posted.  Additionally, as I said before, share the updates, make petitions available, and very soon there should be a letter available on the RWU site for local lodge endorsement as well.  

Finally, please share with your brothers and sisters that IF they did not receive this update it is quite likely that I made a typo inputting it, or if it was a company email it was probably kicked out due to the company systems recognizing this message as a spam email.  I didn't ignore anyone, just sometimes it just gets kicked out.  And with working four tens it kinda leaves limited amount of time to double check current email addresses.  Any thing you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.  Ask those that don't receive an email to send me a message to this address with the words  "change railroad retirement" in the subject and I'll be glad to add them.   Again, thanks for everything and I look forward to hearing from you on the call Tuesday evening.  

In solidarity,   Ron Friend fax number 206-426-7048

Thanks to each of you we have reached 3600 signatures on our petition drive to reform railroad retirement.  And I appreciate all the efforts everyone has given.  I have received responses from three labor leaders to date.  Those are the BMWED, the UTU, and the BLET. 

While each of them have stated that the proposed changes have merit, the BMWED and the BLET are requesting a financial analysis from the Railroad Retirement Actuary.  That is positive feedback and it is due to everyone's efforts.

  I truly believe that the proposed changes will be cost effective and quite possibly add additional revenue to the railroad retirement fund.  And that is simply based on the figures I received from the Railroad Retirement Board Actuary in 1999.  By taking the caps off of taxable earnings for railroad workers that, alone, is at least $347 million more, per year, into the railroad retirement fund.

  Additionally, the cost projected for the spouse of a railroad worker to receive full benefits the day the worker died, or retired, whichever comes first, was projected in 1999 to be an increase in Tier II taxes.  The change proposed is for the spouse to receive full benefits at age 50.  That should reduce the amount, or at least in todays dollars, not be any more than was projected in 1999.  In either case it will not bankrupt the railroad retirement fund, and the proposed changes offer more choices than we currently have. 

For those that do not fall under any of the proposed changes, it will not change.  The proposed changes simply offer more choices for the individual railroad worker.    While we are on the subject many labor organizations are now sending out surveys to their membership as to the issues you feel is most important to you.  Admittedly, each of those areas are of great concern to each of us and I strongly urge you to complete the survey, then staple a copy of the proposed changes to the survey, and send them back.  They want your feedback.  As to copies of the proposed changes you can access, and print them, at Railroad Workers United website   http://railroadworkersunited.org/ 

  Additionally, you can print off copies for your local lodge endorsement, and also print off decals/stickers with the 58/30 message on it.    As in my previous updates please inform your railroad brothers and sisters that they can be added to the group email list by sending an email me at changerrretirement@railroadworkersunited.org with the subject line being change railroad retirement.   And share the petitions with everyone it will help.  Spouses, disabled workers, furloughed workers, and folks looking for work.    Again, I thank each and every one of you and I appreciate your work.     In solidarity,   Ron Friend fax:206-426-7048  

Thanks to each of you we have reached 3600 signatures on our petition drive to reform railroad retirement.  And I appreciate all the efforts everyone has given.  I have received responses from three labor leaders to date.  Those are the BMWED, the UTU, and the BLET. 

While each of them have stated that the proposed changes have merit, the BMWED and the BLET are requesting a financial analysis from the Railroad Retirement Actuary.  That is positive feedback and it is due to everyone's efforts.

  I truly believe that the proposed changes will be cost effective and quite possibly add additional revenue to the railroad retirement fund.  And that is simply based on the figures I received from the Railroad Retirement Board Actuary in 1999.  By taking the caps off of taxable earnings for railroad workers that, alone, is at least $347 million more, per year, into the railroad retirement fund.

  Additionally, the cost projected for the spouse of a railroad worker to receive full benefits the day the worker died, or retired, whichever comes first, was projected in 1999 to be an increase in Tier II taxes.  The change proposed is for the spouse to receive full benefits at age 50.  That should reduce the amount, or at least in todays dollars, not be any more than was projected in 1999.  In either case it will not bankrupt the railroad retirement fund, and the proposed changes offer more choices than we currently have. 

For those that do not fall under any of the proposed changes, it will not change.  The proposed changes simply offer more choices for the individual railroad worker.    While we are on the subject many labor organizations are now sending out surveys to their membership as to the issues you feel is most important to you.  Admittedly, each of those areas are of great concern to each of us and I strongly urge you to complete the survey, then staple a copy of the proposed changes to the survey, and send them back.  They want your feedback.  As to copies of the proposed changes you can access, and print them, at Railroad Workers United website   http://railroadworkersunited.org/ 

  Additionally, you can print off copies for your local lodge endorsement, and also print off decals/stickers with the 58/30 message on it.    As in my previous updates please inform your railroad brothers and sisters that they can be added to the group email list by sending an email me at changerrretirement@railroadworkersunited.org with the subject line being change railroad retirement.   And share the petitions with everyone it will help.  Spouses, disabled workers, furloughed workers, and folks looking for work.    Again, I thank each and every one of you and I appreciate your work.     In solidarity,   Ron Friend fax:206-426-7048  

Thanks to each of you this past week we reached 3,019 signatures on the petition drive to reform railroad retirement.

 

  As I've said in earlier emails, if someone on your petition that had added their email address, and they do not receive a response with one of the updates, please ask them to send me an email with their email address (subject Change railroad retirement) and I'll make sure they are added.  Sometimes I may input the address incorrectly and with over 400 new email addresses on the group broadcast it can happen.  Information is the key and I don't want to miss anyone.   Some interesting questions have been coming in and I'll try to address some of them here. 

 

    This proposal is meant to offer another choice and enhance some of the current regulations which govern railroad retirement.  That means that IF you do not fall within the areas addressed by the proposed changes, the current requirements still apply.  This is not meant to deter from the changes addressed in the Railroad Retirement Survivorship Act of 2001 (commonly known as 60/30)  That age requirement would apply IF you don't meet the changes proposed. 

 

    Will it be financial feasible?  Yes, it will be.  In 1999 an actuary study advised that IF the caps were removed that would add another $347 million, per year, to the retirement fund.   For the carriers to consider the changes proposed for premiums for insured benefits they are going to want to know what is in it for them.  With the changes inacted in 2001 the carriers, collectively, realized a savings of $300 million, per year, because of reformuting that they no longer were required to pay into railroad retirement.

 

   I don't think we'll see the carriers saying that they will be happy to use some of that savings to cover the proposed changes (although they have collectively saved around $2 billion to date).  Some of the things they can realize is a younger work force which can equate to less age related illnesses, less vacation time paid out, furloughed workers returning to work, helping address the nations' high unemployement rolls when this country is struggling with the highest unemployment figures we've seen in years. 

 

Addressing a positive change for our nations veterans, and addressing health care coverage for retirees, the disabled, and their qualifying dependents.  All of that within one industry.  If nothing else that has got to get the attention of politicians, and those that believe that the railroad industry is an antiquated system.  And it's a positive change addressed by rail labor, the railroad companies, our Congress, and our Senate.  That, my friends, are changes that no other industry can compete with. 

 

  Our labor organization will be addressing positive changes for their membership, gaining new labor brothers and sisters to carry on a proud and honorable tradition of organized labor, and again, addressing recognized problems that our nation is now struggling with during this current economic crisis.  That is a legacy that any union brother and sister has to be proud of.

 

  Whom should sign the petition?  Railroad workers, spouses, furloughed workers and their spouses, disabled workers and their spouses, just about anyone that these proposed changes will affect.

 

  Now for one last question that has came in a few times....Who is Ron Friend? I am a 56 year old BMWED member that is currently working on my 39th year in this proud labor organization.  I am not, nor have I ever been,  a full time elected officer but rather a Ballast Regulator operator on a surfacing gang.  I am a Viet Nam era, and a Desert Storm era veteran.    I was raised in a union household and I firmly believe in the principles of organized labor and in serving my country.  I wrote a proposal in 1997 entitled 55 OR 30 and I believe it may have led, in some small degree, to the changes enacted in 2001.   I believe in working to support my family, and I am a firm believer in honor and integrity.  I was raised on the principle that if you tell the truth you don't have to remember  what you said. 

 

  There will be a conference call of the Railroad Retirement Change Committee on May 26, 2009.  The dial in info is as follows:  Time: 5:00 PM Pacific;  6:00 PM Mountain;  7:00 PM  Central;  8:00 PM Eastern

Phone Number: 218-486-1300

Bridge Number: (Access Code)  409179

Feel free to dial in and listen or add your opinion.

And finally, you can access all current info at http://railroadworkersunited.org/

Soon there will be a letter for printing to have endorsements from you local lodge if you so desire.


  Again, I thank each and everyone of you and I truly appreciate your help.  And I can be reached at either of the following email addresses.    Faithfully and in solidarity,   Ron Friend changerrretirement@railroadworkersunited.org railroadron@suddenlink.net

Each and every one of us has the right to complain bout this matter, since we are all involved in issue. Railroad workers must receive the right benefits that they neede. Government must pay attention to our necessities and to the debt that we are having. If debt consolidation is something you're seriously thinking about, there are good and bad ways to go about it. You can get installment loans and find a decent repayment plan for debt consolidation rather than pulling from your retirement and facing the penalties for it. One thing you should not do is touch your 401K. Those are your retirement funds, and the penalties for early withdrawal are killer. There are plenty of reasonable alternatives to using your IRA or 401K for relief from your troubles.

Thank you each and every one of you,   This weekend we reached 1,026 signatures and at least 18 states with the petition drive to change railroad retirement.    Now is the time to make sure our labor leaders, and our President, Vice President, Congressmen, Senators hear our collective voices.  Now is the time to send each of them a letter.  I have attached (in quite a few different forms) a copy of  a letter than I am sending and in a few days will be available on the Railroad Workers United website. http://railroadworkersunited.org/  

As each of us know our nation's leaders are trying to turn our economy around.  The proposed changes to the Railroad Retirement system addresses those same problems and it addresses them within the railroad industry.  And those changes would be paid for by railroaders.   Additionally, our labor leaders need to hear from us, by U.S. mail.  Send them a copy of the proposed changes and a letter.  The reason being is that they need to know that this is a common sense issue being embraced by the rank and file of ALL rail labor crafts.  Plus, how many rail labor organizations are having the conventions this year?  Your voice can push this to the forefront.

  Through your efforts this proposal is covering ALL of rail labor.  Whom all needs to be informed?  Our working brothers and sisters.  Their families.  Retirees.  Disabled workers and their families.  Unemployed workers.  Not just unemployed railroaders but other unemployed workers as well.  This proposal has the potential to offer ALL unemployed workers opportunity.  Under employed workers.  Railroad widows that are currently too young to receive benefits.  Each of us know folks that I have just described.  Talk to them.  Provide them the a line on the petition.  Provide them the letters.  Mail them for you if you must. 

  Now, more than ever before, we have the opportunity to help ourselves, our families, our brothers and sisters, disabled workers, and so many more for a positive change.  Not to mention a positive change for generations of railroaders to come.   I thank each and every one of you for your efforts and your committment. You have my email address, the website address for Railroad Workes United, and if need be I can be found on Facebook.  Look for the only Ron Friend with CSX Corporation or CSX Company.  There is a link from there to the RWU as well.   Sincerely and faithfully,   Ron Friend email:  railroadron@suddenlink.nethttp://railroadworkersunited.org/

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Subject: update on early retirement

attached is an update as of March 16, 2009 on the signatures and states I've received petitions from:

744 signatures
representing 17 States
and 10 Rail labor crafts.

The word is getting out and each of you are the ones that are doing it.  

What are some of the possible obstacles that may be in our immediate future and what are some of the questions that have been asked?  I'll try to keep it short.

1.  It will bankrupt Railroad Retirement.  No, it won't.  The proposal itself provides a way to cover the costs with at least $350 million per year. And that is not counting the $300 million per year the carriers no longer pay into railroad retirement as of the Railroad Survivorship Act of 2001.

2.  It take an act of Congress.  Yes indeed  it does.  Congress acted before and they will again.  I've contacted some of our friends in Congress and the response I've gotten is that this proposal, all of it, is reasonable and addresses many of the problems they are wrestling with today.  Health Care, Retiree benefits, disabled workers, widow benefits, unemployment, under employment, and veteran recognition.

3.  Maybe we can get part of it like better widows benefits but probably not all of it.  Each of us can probably name widows that are too young to draw benefits and we can also name our friends that are getting by on disability.  This proposal, all of it, is a reasonable solution for that train of thought and it addresses the needs of rail labor.  Not just some of rail labor.

Your voice, your actions can make them listen.  Those same voices can make everyone think twice before anyone wants to put some "spin" on it and "take this but forget that".  And no, I am not saying any one person, or whomever, will attempt such action.  But this will not be an easy goal to reach.  It is, however, quite possible.  Why?  Because the voices of the rank and file of all of rail labor CAN make it happen.  We've proven that in the past.  Some of us have gotten older but we haven't lost our voice.  

It doesn't matter if I am kind of "leading the charge."  You've proven that there are hundreds like me ready to keep it moving.  I thank each and every one of you.  And I am praying for our labor leaders to take it to their membership.  Railroaders move a nation, we can move a proposal that is for the betterment of rail labor.

Ron Friend

Brothers and Sisters,   I am writing to bring everyone up to date on the progress of the petition campaign to reform railroad retirement.  To date we have 462 signatures which represents the membership of 11 rail labor crafts and their spouses.  Additionally, I've added quite a few email addresses from the folks that added their email addresses to the petitions.  In case some of our brothers and sisters that have signed petitions and added their email addresses are not receiving this, or future, messages it is quite likely because I couldn't read the email address.  That's not really a problem.  Simply email it to me for them and we'll be glad to add it to the list. 

 

Additionally, this may be the only email you will receive if you are using a railroad company address.  Theirs is a secure site and as such must be respected for company business and I will not infringe upon that security.  Thus I would greatly appreciate it if you would pass that along as well and keep them informed.   That being said what to we need to do? 

We have to get the word out, get the petitions signed, and get them emailed, or snail mailed, to me.  And I appreciate all the work that each of you have done so far.  Our labor leaders, U.S. Congressmen, U.S. Senators, U. S. President, and the railroad companies need proof positive that this is an issue that the rank and file are serious about and actual numbers are that verification.  I can assure you that is not going to be an easy task, however, I can also assure you that it is quite possible.   

Why are so many interested in this issue?  Each of us has our own reasons but if I may here are a few:   1.  A choice for earlier retirement and in some cases with less of a penalty should you decide to retire earlier than is current.  Whom better knows your financial situation and whether you can AFFORD to retire earlier?   2.  One issue that often prevents some of our brothers and sisters from retirement is the cost of insured benefits for ourselves and our dependents.  This proposal addresses that issue and reduces those costs.   3.  Recognize the plight of our disabled brothers and sisters and their families.  These are the people that need insured benefits the most and they are the ones that often cannot afford that coverage.  This proposal addresses that as well.   4.  Widows/widowers that are too young under current legislation to receive railroad retirement benefits.  How many of you know brothers and sisters that are now deceased and their spouses fall in this area?  We cannot allow this to continue.  Your actions in getting this information, this proposal, can do more good than you'll ever know.   5.  Look at our economy.  Millions are unemployed or underemployed.  Our retirement provides an opportunity to put our furloughed brothers and sisters back to work and further create employment opportunities for those outside of the railroad industry.   6.  We are perhaps the only industry in the country that penalizes the workers that are unemployed, or disabled, by not continuing service months.  This proposal addresses that issue very clearly.    In a nutshell people are going to tell you this proposal will bankrupt the railroad retirement system, or that since the passage of the Railroad Survivorship Act of 2001 that it cannot be done, or a number of other reasons.  Each is inaccurate.  I've spoken to Senators and Congressmen and they have all said that this proposal has merit.  It's possible.  But in order to act they need to hear it is an issue that the rank and file believe in and thus, the labor leaders must be willing to bring it forth.  They cannot do so unless they believe their respective membership wants such changes. 

And that is why I'm asking for your help.  And even still there will be rail labor brothers and sisters that will not see the potential in this proposal.  Should they talk to a group of unemployed railroaders, or other unemployed people, or talk to a younger than 59 1/2 year old widow/widower that cannot yet receive railroad benefits, or visit with some disabled railroaders then perhaps reality that those folks are living would change their minds.  Or speak to a fellow railroader that wants to retire, has the age and years service, but needs the current insured benefits then, maybe, they would understand the realities of why this proposal is needed and be willing to step up to the plate.   

I can also assure you that there are many of our brothers and sisters out there that are willing to do what it takes to put this issue in the forefront.  You are they.  And, again, I appreciate all of your efforts.   In case you cannot print off the petitions, or the proposal, then you can also access it at http://railroadworkersunited.org/ and on the home page click on: RWU Resolution on Necessary Changes to Railroad Retirement  

 

Sincerely,   Ron Friend email:  railroadron@suddenlink.net  subject:  early retirement