Railroad DivisionStaff
HistoryThe US Railroad Division was formed in 1969 at the Boilermakers Twenty-Third Consolidated Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The Division was formed to service solely those members employed in the Railroad industry in the United States. Our members are employed by major Class I U.S. railroad companies, several commuter railroad companies, Amtrak, and several short line railroad companies. Railroad Boilermakers & Blacksmiths perform work on cars and locomotives, maintenance of way, and facilities. They service and repair locomotives, including wreck repair, and manufacture parts for locomotives and cars, including building snow plows, gear pans, and hundreds of other items used every day in the railroad industry. They also perform welding on tracks, work in reclamation plants, and perform general maintenance work. Alan Scheer serves as Division Director. He is assisted by an Assistant Director and an International Representative, whom exclusively service railroad members. Division Structure and ServiceThe division provides service to its members through a division director and division staff. Currently, the Railroad Division has 13 Lodges that are exclusively railroad lodges, plus ten lodges which are combined lodges, having both railroad members and members who work in other areas. The division has approximately 1,200 members employed in the craft and class of Boilermakers and in the craft and class of Blacksmiths. These members work for every major Class I Carrier. The services provided to Railroad Division local lodges include assistance to Local Lodge secretary treasurers, as needed; appealing all claims and grievances through second, third, and fourth levels; negotiating all collective bargaining agreements; and arbitrating all issues, as required, to all members employed in the railroad industry in the United States. The Railroad Division also negotiates collecting bargaining agreements for its members on a national basis with the National Carriers Conference Committee and with individual carriers, in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Labor Act. Contract disputes are resolved in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Labor Act. We utilize the Second Division of the National Railroad Adjustment Board and Public Law Boards to expedite arbitration of these disputes. Expedited arbitration is sometimes handled through what is called “party pay boards,” with each party sharing in the cost. The Railroad Division participates in the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO, in TTD’s Railroad Division. The TTD works closely with the Boilermakers Legislative office in Washington, D.C., on all legislative issues affecting Railroad Division members. TTD may be contacted at
Contact InformationPO Box 943 More Information
Benefits for Railroad EmployeesRetirement BenefitsAll members employed by U.S. Carriers are covered by the Railroad Retirement Act. Additionally, our members participate in the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pensions Trust. The Railroad Retirement Board may be contacted at: Railroad Retirement Board884 Rush Street Chicago, IL 60611 Health and Welfare BenefitsHealth and medical benefits for Railroad Division members and their dependents are provided by United Healthcare plan GA-23000. This is a national program which involves in and out of network benefits. Employees on certain carriers receive their medical benefits from hospital associations. Dependents of these employees receive their benefits from United Healthcare and not from the hospital association. During periods of unemployment, members are able to purchase medical coverage through United Healthcare under Policy GA-23111. This is a union-only plan that all of rail labor has provided for union members and their families. Additional information regarding this plan may be obtained by contacting United Healthcare. United Healthcare450 Columbus Blvd. 13 NA Hartford, CT 06103 Phone: (800) 842-5252 Dental Benefits are Provided by Etna. Etna7600 A. Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22043 Phone: (703) 903-7091 Mental Health and Substance Abuse benefits are provided by Value Options. Value Options3110 Fairview Park Drive Falls Church, VA 22042 Phone: (703) 205-7321 Mail order and prescription drugs are provided by Medco Containment Services, Inc. Medco Containment Systems, Inc.100 Summit Ave. Montvale, NJ 07645 Phone: (201) 358-5354 Sick and Accident BenefitsSick and Accident Insurance is provided by UNUM. This policy affords members who are sick or injured approximately seventy percent (70%) of their pay when they are unable to work. UNUM may be contacted at UNUM1 Fountain Square Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone: (423) 642-5620 Other Information for Railroad MembersDuesRailroad Division dues for 2009:
Work OpportunitiesWork opportunities for members employed as Railroad Boilermakers or Blacksmiths is good and there are very few lay-offs. As highly skilled workers, these members are, during the rare periods of lay-offs, able to find employment with other Boilermaker-represented industries, such as construction or shipbuilding. Individuals seeking work as Railroad Boilermakers or Blacksmiths should contact their nearest employment office or look up the particular carrier's web site. Many carriers accept applications through their Web sites. Hourly RatesThe Average Straight Time Hourly Rate of pay (ASTHR) as of July 2004 is $21.20 per hour. Significant overtime work is available, affording these members a much higher earning potential. Differentials of $.25 and $.50 are paid in addition to the Straight Time Rate. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ Railroad Craft Scholarship Foundation GrantEligibility: Applicant must be a child of a member or deceased member of any craft associated with any railroad who has been accepted by an accredited school for admission, and needs financial assistance in order to attend college. Deadline for completed applications is May 1st. You can get an application online, or you can email to receive one in the mail. Workers with Occupational Illnesses and InjuriesIn the United States, some transportation industries, including railroads, never made legal provision for workers compensation. As a result, employees who develop occupational diseases must bring suit against their employer in an appropriate legal forum. For information about your rights as an injured employee or family member, we recommend you visit the web site of Jones, Granger, Tramuto & Halstead (formerly Jones & Granger) of Houston, TX, the only attorneys approved and designated by all railroad labor unions. This web site contains valuable information on all types of injuries suffered as a result of employment, including traumatic injuries such as back injuries or broken bones; occupational exposures such as asbestosis and silicosis; repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome; and other types of industrial exposure cases. Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA)Railroad employees are not covered by state workers compensation laws. Instead, they are covered by the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA), the Jones Act, and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act. The International Brotherhood has designated the following firms as counsel to represent its members who become injured or sick as a result of their employment in the railroad industry. Jones, Granger, Tramuto & Halstead Kaplan Law Firm Crow, Sevey, Gilwee, Weninger, Apler & Tronvig Bauer & Baebler, P.C. Moody, Strople, Kloeppel, Basilone & Higginbotham, Inc. William R. Moseley, Jr. Kujawski & Associates, P.C. Yaeger, Jungbauer & Barczak, PLC Holloran Stewart & Schwartz C. Marshall Friedman 
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The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers, AFL-CIO
753 State Avenue, Suite 570
Kansas City, KS 66101Phone: 913-371-2640