May Union Meeting Highlights, 05/15/13

Lodge 427 meeting for May 2013 has been cancelled. We will hold our next meeting on June 2013 at Blind Tiger.

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Railroad Retirement Annuities May Be Reduced By Public Service Pensions, 05/28/2013

According to TCU, the Railroad Retirement Act spouse and widow(er)s' annuities (including divorced spouse, surviving divorced spouse and remarried widow(er)s' annuities) are subject to reduction when social security benefits or dual railroad retirement annuities are also payable. Such railroad retirement benefits may also be reduced when a spouse or widow(er) is entitled to a public service pension unless certain exemption requirements are met. In addition, overpayments under these conditions are subject to repayment and possible interest and penalties.

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"RR Annuities Impacted by Public Service Pensions"

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Railroad Retirement Annuities May Be Reduced By Public Service Pensions, 05/28/2013

TCU/IAM is sending thoughts, prayers and support to the victims of a massive tornado that tore through an Oklahoma City suburb Monday afternoon, turning entire neighborhoods into rubble and destroying two elementary schools and a hospital. Officials say at least 24 people lost their lives in the storm, which left a path of destruction a mile wide and 20 miles long in Moore, OK.

Members personally affected by the tragedy are encouraged to call the IAM Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-587-6295 for immediate counseling to anyone who needs help dealing with the aftermath of these violent storms.

The IAM Community Services Department is accepting tax-deductible donations to help with the relief effort. Checks should be made out to IAM Assistance and include the address and email address of the sender. Send all donations to IAM Headquarters at 9000 Machinists Place, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772

Members are also encouraged to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by visiting redcross.org, dialing 1-800-REDCROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Union members living in areas impacted by the tornado that struck the Oklahoma City area and who participate in Union Plus programs may be eligible for Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 and these funds will not need to be repaid.

"Assistance For Union Member Impacted By OK Tornado"

Job Corp Enrollment Freeze Lifted,05/18/2013

Job Corps announced that January 2013 student enrollment suspension has been lifted and is now accepting applications from students and potential students who would like to enroll.

The Transportation Communications Union/IAM has contracted with the United States Department of Labor's Job Corps to provide an Advanced Transportation program for our nation's youth. Beginning with just two sites in 1971, TCU/IAM's Training Services Department is now contracted to train 450 students nationwide at nine facilities.

"Job Corp Enrollment Freeze Lifted"

GOP Seeks To End 40-Hr Work Week OT Pay, 05/15/2013

According to TCUnion.Org, House Republicans are pushing for new legislation, “Working Families Flexibility Act” (H.R. 1406), which would eliminate the current overtime pay structure for any time worked over 40 hours each week. Instead of being paid at time-and a half, employers could offset employee's overtime wages with extra time off which could negatively impact the bottom line for working families who currently rely on OT to help with monthly expenses.

"GOP Seeks To End Overtime Pay"

TCU/IAM MNPL Raffle Winners Announced 05/15/2013p The first place winner is trainmaster Clayton Johanson who won $500. Second place and third place winners, Manuel Guerra and Linda Tingle, won $250 each.

"TCU/IAM MNPL Raffle Winners"