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Railroad Retirement Victory in Senate!

December 10, 2001

Rail workers and retirees have reason to celebrate! Thousands of phone calls and E-mails to Senators combined with non-stop lobbying efforts by rail labor and management have resulted in passage of the Railroad Retirement Reform legislation, H.R. 10, by an overwhelming vote of 90-9. (Click here to see vote.) On a preceding critical vote that would have derailed the bill by sending it back to Committee, we prevailed by an 80-19 margin.

 There are two steps remaining before the bill becomes law.

* First, the House of Representatives must vote to concur with the Senate version of the bill. The Senate did not vote on the original bill, H.R. 1140, but instead, used a different-numbered bill with the exact same language as H.R. 1140. We have already met with the House leadership to discuss this next step, and it appears this will only be a formality, and will be brought up and passed by voice vote on Tuesday, December 11, 2001.  The House overwhelming passed H.R. 1140 earlier this year with strong bipartisan support (384-33 vote).  For now, no phone calls are necessary.

 * After House passage, the bill would then go to President Bush for signature. Again, we are optimistic the President will sign the bill, and so again, no phone calls are needed at this time.  

We encourage all our members to call Senators who have been supportive, thanking them for their assistance. The following four Senators were particularly helpful for their leadership effort on our behalf: Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD); Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT); and the leaders of our efforts on the Republican side Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE). We also encourage our members to refrain from making negative comments to Senators who have not supported us. It's important not to get lawmakers unnecessarily angry with us while we are still awaiting another House vote and need the President's signature on the bill. They can be dealt with at a more appropriate time. 

Rail Workers Will Benefit From Railroad Retirement Reform:

* Surviving-spouse benefits will be boosted by an average of $300 monthly.

* Reduces the retirement age from 62 to 60 for railroaders with at least 30 years of service to retire with unreduced retirement benefits, effective Jan. 1, 2002. Continued health coverage will be provided by railroads until the retired worker reaches age 65 and is eligible for Medicare.

* Younger workers will receive full vesting in Railroad Retirement after five years of railroad employment rather than the existing 10 years.

* Railroads must ensure the future solvency of the pension fund by absorbing any necessary future payroll tax increases.