UTU members and their dependents insured under the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA) Plan (GA-46000) will have their lifetime maximum amount of coverage increased, effective Jan. 1.

ERMA is a comprehensive benefits plan for employees who retire at or after age 60 with 30 years of service. The plan covers qualified employees, spouses and dependents until the employee reaches age 65. If the employee qualifies for Medicare before reaching 65, ERMA no longer covers the employee, but dependents continue coverage until the employee reaches age 65. ERMA is not applicable when any covered individual becomes Medicare eligible.

The lifetime maximum, effective Jan. 1, 2012, will be $131,500, an increase of $5,300.

The formula for increasing the lifetime maximum under ERMA was agreed upon by labor and management in 2001. The new lifetime maximum was derived by utilizing the October 2011 Consumer Price Index data for hospital and related services and physician services.

For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after Jan. 1, the effective date of the new maximum.

http://utu.org/2011/11/23/rail-disability-plan-revisions-effective-jan-1/

As a reminder vacation forms are due by November 30th. Forms are available in the UTU Cabinet at Shortline and Also posted at Hull Yard office. You can download it here as well. Place the completed forms in the "completed vacation form" envelope provided or mail it to me as per the instructions on the form.

http://utu.org/2011/11/09/conductor-certification-clear-track-for-jan-1/

Please review the below email from Asst. President Martin regarding a possible work stoppage by other crafts. It is unlikely that any work stoppage will occur, however if it does be governed by the provisions of Article 92.

In response to some questions raised:

If you are called to work as a locomotive engineer, and that craft is on strike, you should decline to report. If you are already on duty you should leave the property, however do not abandon the equipment. If operating between terminals, operate to the next terminal where the train can be disposed of. Tie down and secure any equipment before departing the property.

If you are called to duty as a trainman or switchman, if you encounter a picket line (one person may constitute a picket line) notify the carrier that you have encountered a picket line and decline to cross. Report at your normal reporting location, not at an alternate. If you are on duty and on property when a strike begins you have no authority to leave before your shift ends (your craft is not on strike) unless you feel threatened. When your shift ends depart the property.

Show courtesy and respect for those employees on strike. Whether you agree with their strike issues or not, they are exercising their legal right to self help, a right we all cherish.

Any questions please call.

Mike Reedy

-----Original Message-----
From: international@utu.org [mailto:international@utu.org]
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 3:13 PM
To: international@utu.org
Subject: Potential Labor Strike

To All Rail General Chairpersons:

Other rail unions in national handling with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee were released from mediation Sept. 7 by the National Mediation Board.

Under provisions of the Railway Labor Act, those other rail unions are prohibited from striking for 30 days – until Oct. 7 -- pending appointment by President Obama of a Presidential Emergency Board.

President Obama is expected to appoint a PEB by Oct. 6, which will start another 30-day cooling off period under provisions of the RLA, preserving the status quo as the PEB hears testimony and makes recommendations for a settlement of the dispute. A third 30-day cooling-period would then commence Nov. 6 while the two sides consider the recommendations of the PEB.

However, if President Obama does not appoint a PEB this week, a strike could occur (although it is considered highly unlikely a PEB will not be named.)

IF a PEB is NOT appointed this week, and IF another rail union goes on strike, UTU members may honor picket lines. In accordance with Article 92, lines 108-114 of the UTU Constitution which states “When a strike of any other nationally recognized labor organization is in effect and danger to the safety of our members exists in or about the area affected by the strike, and/or if there exists any substantial present or potential threat of danger to the members enroute to or from their work, and/or to the members’ families, it is the policy of the United Transportation Union to support its members in declining to enter the territory affected.”


Fraternally yours,

Arthur Martin, III
Assistant President