IAM railroad members who rely on unemployment and sickness benefits are seeing a restoration of full benefits, as well as backpay to make up for previous cuts.
Following a long campaign by the IAM, TCU/IAM and rail labor, Congress passed the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act in December. President Biden signed the REEF Act into law on Dec. 23.
The bipartisan legislation ends a 5% to 8% reduction of U.S. Railroad Retirement Board unemployment and sickness benefits due to a previous budget sequestration requirement.
“IAM Rail Division members, and all railroad workers, are finally seeing their earned benefits restored thanks to the passage of the REEF Act,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “This was a hard-fought victory that will impact the lives of thousands of railroad workers and right a wrong that took away this vital assistance in times of need.”
Click here for more information from the Railroad Retirement Board.
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