THE

VOLUME 99 2ND QUARTER 2018 UNION PLUS RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM

“ I helped my mom save $700 a year on her prescription drugs thanks to the Union Plus Retiree Health Insurance Program. It took just 20 minutes online to fi nd the plan that was best for her.” — Kelly Haley Vice-President, Headquarters, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen

Medicare enrollment help for Union Members Choosing Medicare insurance coverage is The Union Plus Retiree Health one of the most important decisions you’ll Insurance program provides: have to make. The Union Plus Retiree Health Insurance Program can help ensure you ■ A choice of Medicare insurance plans make the right decision. from up to 30 trusted providers ■ Personalized advice from Medicare The Union Plus Retiree Health Insurance insurance advisors licensed in all Program is a valuable resource that can 50 states help you better understand how Medicare insurance works and which types of ■ eHealth’s Better Business Bureau coverage make the best sense for you. A+ rating ■ No obligation to enroll in a plan Licensed eHealth insurance advisors are there to help you select the plan best suited to meet ■ Available to Medicare eligible spouses your needs. and family members eHealth is a trusted partner of Union Plus. unionplusmedicare.com 1-888-898-5304 (TTY 711), M–F 8am-8pm ET eHealth Medicare is operated by eHealthInsurance Services, Inc., a licensed health insurance agency certifi ed to sell Medicare products that does business as ehealth nationally and as eHealthinsurance Agency in NY and OK. eHealth sent this email. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

Union printed in the U.S.A. BRS-FLY-RETIREE-L0418 Official Publication of the BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD SIGNALMEN WWW.BRS.ORG VOLUME 99 • 2nd Quarter 2018

DIRECTORY Displaying the Past NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: 917 Shenandoah Shores Road Front Royal, VA 22630-6418 for the Future (540) 622-6522 Fax: (540) 622-6532 [email protected] The Illinois Central Railroad display project is pre- Dan Pickett, President serving the past and paying tribute to brothers and (ext. 525) • [email protected] sisters on the ICRR ...... 4 Jerry Boles, Secretary-Treasurer (ext. 527) • [email protected] Kelly Haley, Vice President Headquarters (ext. 524) • [email protected] Jim Finnegan Elected John Bragg, Vice President NRAB (ext. 524) • [email protected] Jim Finnegan Elected Vice Tim Tarrant, Director of Research President Commuter, Passenger, (ext. 565) • [email protected] Brandon Elvey, Grand Lodge Representative Transit/Political Director ...... 6 (ext. 596) • [email protected] Cory Claypool, Grand Lodge Representative (ext. 595) • [email protected] Dennis Boston Retires ...... 7 WASHINGTON OFFICE: 815 16th Street NW, 4th Floor Did You Know? ...... 7, 8 Washington, D.C. 20006 Leonard Parker, National Legislative Director Tentative Agreement with Amtrak ...... 8 (202) 637-5382 • [email protected] PTC Implementation Mandate ...... 9 FIELD VICE PRESIDENTS: Floyd Mason, Vice President East Potential Fraud Alert: United Healthcare Scam Calls ...... 12 2511 Smith Harbour Drive, Denver, NC 28037 (704) 483-1655 • [email protected] Tips to Help Keep Your Health On Track — Ovarian Cancer...... 13 Joe Mattingly, Vice President Midwest 400 Contessa Lane, Trenton, KY 42286 AFL-CIO Do Buy List ...... 16 (270) 466-0405 • [email protected] Mike Baldwin, Vice President West AFL-CIO Don’t Buy List ...... 17 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 622-6522 (ext. 531) • [email protected] Operation Lifesaver, Inc. — Crossing Collisions and Trespass Incidents ...... 18 Jim Finnegan, Vice President Commuter, Passenger, Transit/Political Director BRS 52nd Regular Convention ...... 28 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 622-6522 (ext. 568) • [email protected] Photo Highlights from Local Chairmen’s Training ...... 30 Member Photos — Local 123 News ...... 33 William L. Phillips, General Counsel 33 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60602 (847) 644-1901 • [email protected] Member Photos — Local 183 News ...... 33 Member Photos — Local 194 News ...... 33 BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Mike Owens, Chairman 13022 County Line Road, Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 988-2393 From the President ...... 2 Gus Demott, Secretary P.O. Box 888, Clinton, SC 29325 Washington Report ...... 10 (864) 938-0353 Railroad Retirement Questions & Answers ...... 14 John McArthur, Member P.O. Box 960639, El Paso, TX 79996 (775) 846-1794 Designated Legal Counsel ...... 20

OFFICERS EMERITUS: Benefits Directory ...... 21 V.M. “Butch” Speakman, Jr., President Emeritus 14212 Viola Place, Huntley , IL 60142 Continuous Membership ...... 22 Obituaries ...... 24

The Signalman’s Journal (ISSN-0037-5020) is published Signalman’s Store ...... 26 quarterly by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen 917 Shenandoah Shores Road 2018 Second Quarter Photo Contest Winners ...... 32 Front Royal, VA 22630-6418. Periodicals Postage Paid at Front Royal, VA and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Signalman’s Journal, COVER: Signal Maintainer Gerardo Monge, member of The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630-6418. Local 19, replaces a broken background on a signal mast in Subscription Rates: $10.00 per year, sold only in the Desert Hot Springs, California, on the Yuma Subdivision. United States and Canada. Single copy price is $3.00. Photo submitted by Isaac Andrade, Local Chairman of Local 19.

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 1 FROM THE PRESIDENT

A CELEBRATIONBrother’s Keeper OF BROTHERHOOD

his year marks the 117th year of the previous Convention, with previous sites fighting for and progress- ranging from San Francisco, California; ing the safety, livelihood, to Orlando, Florida; from Las Vegas, T and benefits of sig- Nevada; to Toronto, Ontario; nal employees. This Labor in Canada. As the dynamic, Union, the Brotherhood of timing, and location of the Railroad Signalmen (BRS), Regular Convention may was founded in 1901, in change, it remains the key- Altoona, Pennsylvania. note celebration and serves Though times have as a compass for the BRS changed, technology has and its treasured history. advanced, and railroad- This is the opportunity for ing has progressed, there delegates from each Local are still common struggles, Lodge of the BRS to come ties, and experiences that together in fellowship and bond us together and keep this camaraderie to further the interests Organization both relevant and and effectiveness of our union. The imperative. This year will also mark the BRS Regular Convention allows a Signal 52nd Regular Convention of the BRS, to be Technician from Norfolk Southern in the East to dis- held August 6–10, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. cuss new technologies with a Signal Technician from Our Regular Convention is held every four years, per Union Pacific in the West. The Convention allows our constitution, and provides the forum for the BRS for a Signal Testman from Amtrak in Philadelphia, to decide our rules of governance and direction we Pennsylvania, to discuss local issues that may be head for the next four years. similar to those of a Section Maintainer from Metra Starting in January of 1908, the BRS has been con- in Chicago, Illinois. This is an opportunity for us to vening for Regular Conventions in order to maintain meet with our brothers and sisters from all across the democracy with the opportunity for each Local Lodge United States and share stories along with insights that to have its voice heard on the guidance and direction make clear the common ties all Signalmen share, no of the entire organization. Over the years, the time matter the railroad or state we hail from. The Regular between conventions has changed from having one Convention does not only serve as a celebration of our annually to the current period of four years between brotherhood and opportunity to network with fellow our Regular Conventions. The number of delegates Signalmen from across the country, it plays a critical present at the Regular Convention has increased as role in how this union functions from the Local Lodge our union has grown and new Local Lodges have all the way to Grand Lodge. organized, joining in the fight to maintain the respect Boston offers plenty of sight-seeing and fun to be had, and dignity each Signalman deserves. The location of but during the five days of the Regular Convention, our Regular Convention is decided by the delegates at the delegates of convention will be working on and 2 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 discussing recommended amendments or changes to legacy that unions have created for the working class. our Constitution. Delegates will spend time working The BRS is on the smaller side of trade unions, which in committees with fellow delegates, making updates allows us to be dynamic and makes each individual or reforms to articles and rules that govern our union. voice that much more powerful and critical. I encour- The Grand Lodge Officers will provide updates and age each of you to become or remain involved with reports on the progress we’ve made over the previous your Local Lodge and answer the call to be a del- four years. A key component of the Convention is the egate for your Local Lodge at the 52nd BRS Regular delegates’ responsibility and participation in the dem- Convention. Each of us has the responsibility to pro- ocratic process of nominating, discussing, and electing tect what those before us have fought for and strive the Grand Lodge Officers of the BRS, who will lead towards overcoming the issues we face today, and the way for the next four years. The days of conven- being involved with the Regular Convention is a criti- tion are filled with various discussions and speakers cal part of being an active and positive role model for that will help us address issues we face in our industry the generations of Signalmen to come. and ideas that will allow us to continue to be a pro- gressive and effective labor organization representing the interests and livelihoods of each Signalman in the In Solidarity, United States. I do not believe it to be possible to properly cover each detail and the experience of the BRS Regular Convention in a single article. However, I do believe W. Dan Pickett it is possible to convey the critical importance and BRS President necessity of each Local Lodge to elect and send its del- egates to the Convention. There are many American workers that are still fight- ing for the opportunity to be a part of a labor union, and it is our respon- sibility to acknowledge the bless- ing of being in a union and fight to protect the The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 3 Displaying the Past SRYKPiyerRYfor the future KPiSRYKPiyerRYKP

he Illinois Central Railroad (ICRR) K i display project started small, as one man’s way of preserving the past and T paying tribute to his brothers and sisters on the ICRR; but as Cesar Guajardo, member of Local 183, delved into the past, the project grew and became what you see today — a snapshot of the past. The idea for an interactive signaling display P was formed one day while brother Guajardo was taking inventory in the Kensington Yard shop at Metra and happened to stum- ble upon some old test equipment. Mostly working with today’s advanced sig- naling equipment, Cesar stated, “I honestly had little interest in the equipment of the past, until the day I found the vintage items in the shop.” Realizing that to move forward, you must also look back, Brother Guajardo invested hundreds of hours in constructing a display highlighting the duties and equipment usedY by the various crafts on the Illinois Central Brother Cesar Guajardo standing beside the interactive Illinois Central Railroad display. S

4 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 SRYKPiyerRYKPiSRYKPiyerRYKP

KRailroad Commuter Electric District, which is now known as the Metra Electric District. Although, the display’s main function is to honor the past and present workers of the ICRR, it will also Y serve as a educational tool for families Pand generations to come. i

P

i The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 5 Jim Finnegan Elected VICE PRESIDENT COMMUTER, PASSENGER, TRANSIT/ POLITICAL DIRECTOR

On April 20, before beginning his railroad career in 1996 as an 2018, Brother Assistant Signalman assigned to a Signal Construction Jim Finnegan Gang with Southern Pacific Railroad. Brother Finnegan was elected to fill was working as an Electronic Technician in Union the position of Pacific’s Central Dispatching Center until 2010, when Vice President he was appointed to the Grand Lodge Representative Commuter, position by BRS President W. Dan Pickett. Brother Passenger, Finnegan was active in his Local, being appointed to Transit/ Political a Local Chairman position with Local 8 in 2001 and Director for the appointed Assistant Vice General Chairman of the Brotherhood Union Pacific General Committee in 2006. of Railroad BRS President W. Dan Pickett assigned Grand Lodge Signalmen. The Representative Tim Tarrant to the Director of Research Vice President position vacated by Brother Finnegan. Brother Tarrant Commuter, has been working as a Grand Lodge Representative since Passenger, Transit/ Political Director position was vacated October of 2011, when he was appointed to the position by Dennis Boston, who retired on April 13, 2018. by President Dan Pickett.  Brother Finnegan served in the United States Air Force

6 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 Dennis Boston Retires

Dennis Boston began his railroad For the past 19 years, Dennis has career on August 28, 1974, in Detroit, been serving the Brotherhood of Michigan, working for Penn Central Railroad Signalmen as Vice President Railroad in the Signal Department. with responsibilities that include all of the BRS’ Passenger, Transit Dennis held many position on and Commuter Operations, and as the Local and General Committee Political Director. Levels including Assistant General Chairman, a position Dennis held We wish Dennis and his wife, until he was appointed by President Marion, a long and happy retirement Pickett in February of 1993 to with fond memories of his dedicated be the BRS’ National Legislative service to the Brotherhood.  Representative in Washington, D.C.

DID YOU KNOW?

Title 49: Transportation §236.108 INSULATION RESISTANCE TESTS, WIRES IN TRUNKING AND CABLES (a) Insulation resistance of wires and cables, except is found to be less than 500,000 ohms, prompt wires connected directly to track rails, shall be action shall be taken to repair or replace the defec- tested when wires, cables, and insulation are dry. tive wire or cable and until such defective wire or Insulation resistance tests shall be made between cable is replaced, insulation resistance test shall be all conductors and ground, and between conduc- made annually. tors in each multiple conductor cable, and between (c) In no case shall a circuit be permitted to func- conductors in trunking, when wires or cables are tion on a conductor having an insulation resistance installed and at least once every ten years thereaf- to ground or between conductors of less than ter. 200,000 ohms during the period required for (b) Then insulation resistance of wire or cable repair or replacement. 

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 7 Amtrak Agreement Ratified

On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, the Brotherhood remains frozen at $208.45, with new benefits pro- of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) reached and signed vided and the establishment of a new-hire alternative a Tentative Agreement with the National Railroad healthcare plan. Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK). The Agreement The Agreement was subsequently ratified by the provides for wage increases through 2021, with an membership, effective May 3, 2018.  18.8% compounded increase over the life of the agreement. The monthly health care contribution

DID YOU KNOW? Title 49: Transportation §214.329 TRAIN APPROACH WARNING PROVIDED BY WATCHMEN/LOOKOUTS

Roadway workers in a roadway work group who equipment is approaching. foul any track outside of working limits shall be (d) Every roadway worker who depends upon given warning of approaching trains by one or train approach warning for on-track safety shall more watchmen/lookouts in accordance with the maintain a position that will enable him or her to following provisions: receive a train approach warning communicated (a) Train approach warning shall be given in suffi- by a watchman/lookout at any time while on-track cient time to enable each roadway worker to move safety is provided by train approach warning. to and occupy a previously arranged place of safety (e) Watchmen/lookouts shall communicate train not less than 15 seconds before a train moving at approach warnings by a means that does not the maximum authorized speed on that track can require a warned employee to be looking in any pass the location of the roadway worker. The place particular direction at the time of the warning, of safety to be occupied upon the approach of a and that can be detected by the warned employee train may not be on a track, unless working limits regardless of noise or distraction of work. are established on that track. (f) Every roadway worker who is assigned the (b) Watchmen/lookouts assigned to provide train duties of a watchman/lookout shall first be trained, approach warning shall devote full attention to qualified and designated in writing by the employ- detecting the approach of trains and communicat- er to do so in accordance with the provisions of ing a warning thereof, and shall not be assigned §214.349. any other duties while functioning as watchmen/ lookouts. (g) Every watchman/lookout shall be provided by the employer with the equipment necessary for (c) The means used by a watchman/lookout to compliance with the on-track safety duties which communicate a train approach warning shall be the watchman/lookout will perform. distinctive and shall clearly signify to all recipi- ents of the warning that a train or other on-track

8 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 PTC Implementation Mandate RAILROADS’ PROGRESS ON POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL REMAINS UNEVEN

he U.S. Department of Transportation’s (US needs to take to have a PTC system fully implemented DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by the December deadline or, at a minimum, to meet T released a status update on its efforts to assist the statutory criteria necessary to qualify for an alterna- railroads in implementing positive train control systems tive schedule. (PTC), along with the railroads’ self-reported progress for As a result of the meetings, the FRA is now meeting with the fourth quarter of 2017. PTC suppliers to learn more about their capacity to meet At the direction of DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao, the the high demands for railroads’ implementation of PTC FRA is taking a proactive approach to ensure railroads systems in a timely manner. acquire, install, test and fully implement certified PTC PTC systems are designed to prevent certain train-to- systems in time to meet the congressional interim dead- train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into line of December 31, 2018. established work zone limits, and trains going to the “It is the railroads’ responsibility to meet the congressionally wrong tracks because a switch was left in the wrong posi- mandated PTC requirements,” said FRA Administrator tion. Ronald L. Batory. “The FRA is committed to doing its All railroads subject to the statutory PTC implemen- part to ensure railroads and suppliers are working together to tation mandate must implement FRA-certified and implement PTC systems.” interoperable PTC systems by the end of the year. Between January 2 and February 14, 2018, FRA’s leader- Under the Positive Train Control Enforcement and ship hosted face-to-face meetings with executives from Implementation Act of 2015, however, Congress permits each of the 41 railroads subject to the statutory mandate. a railroad to request the FRA’s approval of an “alternate The purpose of the meetings was to evaluate each rail- schedule” with a deadline beyond December 31, 2018, road’s PTC status and learn what remaining steps each but no later than December 31, 2020, for certain non- hardware, operational aspects of PTC system implementation. The congressional mandate requires the FRA to approve a railroad’s alternative schedule with a deadline no later than December 31, 2020, if a railroad submits a written request to the FRA that demonstrates the railroad has met the statutory criteria set forth under 49 U.S.C. § 20157(a)(3)(B). The fourth quarter data, current as of

continued on page 18

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 9 Washington Report • RRB Requests Extra Funds for IT Modernization • H.R. 1625: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) • Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) • New Federal Railroad Administrator Confirmed

RRB Requests Extra Funds for IT Retirement Board (RRB) at its requested level, which was Modernization, Congress Delivers Half above the $115.225 million requested by the president’s In a bipartisan effort, Representatives Lipinski (D-IL), budget. An additional $19.647 million was requested Bacon (R-IL), McKinley (R-WV), Capuano (D-MA), for modernization of the RRB’s IT system. The let- Esty (D-CT), Davis (R-IL), Bustos (D-IL), Cook ter cited that the RRB spends $1.6 million annually in (R-CA), Faso (R-NY), King (R-NY), O’Rourke (D-TX), postage and $300,000 on paper. The funds would not Smith (R-NJ), Larsen (D-WA), Foster (D-IL), Schneider come out of the general fund and was a request to access (D-IL), Clay (D-MO), Brady (D-PA), Young (R-AK), its own trust funds for the badly needed upgrades. The Donovan (R-NY), Wasserman Shultz (D-FL), Barr Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL- (R-KY), Keating (D-MA), Holmes Norton (D-DC), CIO and American Association of Railroads (AAR) also Katko (R-NY), Sires (D-NJ), Garamendi (D-CA), sent letters supporting the additional funding to both Wilson (D-FL), Payne (D-NJ), Kelly (D-IL), Davis chambers of Congress. When Congress passed H.R. (D-IL), Nolan (D-MN), Brownley (D-CA), Rush 1625: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, in late (D-IL), Bost (R-IL), Carbajal (D-CA), and Fitzpatrick March, the RRB was authorized $10 million for the IT (R-PA) authored a letter to the House Committee on modernization, a little over half of the amount requested. Appropriations to urge funding levels for the Railroad

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD Information Technology (IT) Investments Cost Estimates — FY 2018–2022

10 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 H.R. 1625: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 process because lawmakers had to approve the bill within Sponsor: Edward Royce (R-CA) 24 hours of its release — a timeline that left little time to Introduced — March 20, 2018 analyze the bill. The House of Representatives passed the Signed by the President — March 23, 2018 bill on Thursday, March 22, by a vote of 256–167; the Senate followed on Friday, March 23, by a vote of 65–32. This bill was formerly the TARGET Act but became the vehicle for passage of the government spending bill for Congress had to deal with the threat of previously man- the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2018. On March 22, dated sequestration cuts that would have been imposed 2018, the House replaced the text of the original bill with if they did not reach an agreement to raise the budget the spending bill. On March 21, 2018, leadership of both caps for both defense, and non-defense discretionary parties in both chambers of Congress announced that a (health and healthcare research (not including Medicare/ deal had been reached on a $1.3 trillion omnibus spend- Medicaid); transportation and economic development; ing package for the remainder of FY 2018, which began education and training; economic security; science, envi- October 1, 2017. Since that date, the federal government ronment, and energy; law enforcement and governance; has been operating under five continuing funding resolu- and diplomacy and international affairs) spending. In the tions (CRs) of varying lengths, the latest of which was set previous CR, a two-year budget deal was included to raise to expire Friday, March 23, 2018. the budget caps by significant amounts, which allowed the Appropriations Committees of both chambers to “I say to Congress, I will never sign another bill like this move ahead and begin writing bills to fund the govern- again,” President Trump said. “I’m not going to do it ment in earnest. Non-defense discretionary spending again. Nobody read it. It’s only hours old. Some people don’t was increased by $63 billion for FY 2018 (which we are even know what’s in it.” The president said the only rea- currently in the middle of) and $68 billion for FY 2019 son he signed the bill was because of national security (which will begin October 1, 2018). Various subcommit- reasons and the need to grow the military. During the impromptu press briefing, the president made a directive to Congress asking for a line-item veto on all government continued on page 23 spending bills and called on the Senate to end its filibuster rule in order to make it more efficient to pass “qual- ity legislation.” The decision to sign the bill came just hours after Trump threatened to veto the measure because it did not contain funding for his border wall or a fix for DACA, undercutting guarantees from his own staff who said he would sign it all along. Conservative Republicans have criticized the legisla- tion for adding to the national debt. They have also criticized the

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 11 POTENTIAL FRAUD ALERT: United Healthcare Scam Calls

t has been brought to our attention that some It is important to be diligent about any phone call that United Healthcare members have received unsolic- seems suspicious: ited phone calls from Tennessee and Georgia area I If you receive an unexpected call or text from any area codes from individuals posing as United Healthcare rep- code/phone number you don’t recognize, never answer resentatives. These calls have been identified as a scam. it. If it is someone with a legitimate inquiry, they will The caller from the Georgia area code used the number call back or leave a message. 678-384-4965 to make the call and left a message to call If you do answer it and you believe the call is suspi- back on 888-315-7524 and ask for United Healthcare cious, call the Member Services number on the back of options. The caller also asked for personal information, your medical ID card to speak with a Customer Service such as the member’s social security number. Do not Representative. respond to any calls from phone numbers you do not recognize. Always be sure to review your phone bill carefully and contact your carrier about any suspicious charges. Members could receive calls from other area codes claim- ing to be United Healthcare. They should not answer/ If you or someone you know becomes a victim of a respond to any of these calls or provide any personal phone scam, you can file a complaint online with the information. Federal Trade Commission (https://www.ftc.gov/) and the Federal Communications Commission (https://www. United Healthcare does not place calls to members ask- fcc.gov/) under the “For Consumers” tab.  ing them for their social security number. Do not pro- vide any information to these callers.

12 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 OVARIAN CANCER Tips to Help Keep Your Health on Track!

Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries and is often unde- you inherit from your parents, such as BRCA1 and tected until it has spread to the stomach and pelvis. BRCA2, not only increase your risk of breast cancer Early-stage ovarian cancer can frequently be treated but for ovarian cancer as well. successfully. However, late-stage ovarian cancer is much • Estrogen Hormone Replacement Therapy — harder to treat and is often fatal. Because the symptoms Long-term use, usually ten years or more, of estro- of ovarian cancer don’t usually appear early enough for gen hormone replacement therapy may increase successful treatment, know what is normal for your your risk. body — if you begin to experience anything different and unexplained, talk to your doctor. • Start/End Ages of Menstruation and Menopause — The younger the age for menstruation and/or What are some of the symptoms of the older the age for menopause increases your risk. ovarian cancer? • Certain Previous Cancers — If you have had Unfortunately, there are normally no symptoms in the colon, uterine, or breast cancer, you are at an early stages of ovarian cancer. Once the cancer progress- increased risk. es, more symptoms arise but often they are similar to • Never Given Birth or Fertility Issues — If you the symptoms of other common illnesses. Some of the have never given birth or had trouble getting preg- symptoms are: nant, your risk is higher. • Stomach swelling or bloating Can ovarian cancer be prevented? • Feeling full quickly while eating While there are no ways to guarantee the prevention of • Unexplained weight loss ovarian cancer, there are some things you can do which • Pelvic pain or discomfort may help lower your risk, such as: • Increased need to urinate and/or constipation • Birth Control Pills — Using birth control pills for five years or more lowers risk but because oral con- What causes ovarian cancer? traceptives also have risks discuss this option with Doctors know that cancer starts when a cell mutates in your doctor. its DNA and the mutation triggers the cell to grow at • Given Birth — Your risk may be less if you have a rapid pace and multiply, thereby creating a mass of given birth. abnormal cells. While doctors have been able to identify • Certain Surgical Procedures certain risk factors for ovarian cancer, they have not — A tubal ligation, removal of both ovaries, and a hysterectomy may been able to specifically point to what causes it. lower your risk. What are some of the risk factors for ovarian cancer? When should I see a doctor? Several factors may contribute to your risk of ovarian If you are experiencing any symptoms which are not cancer, such as: normal for you, call your doctor. Ovarian cancer can • Age — While ovarian cancer can happen at any often be treated successfully if caught in the early stages. age, women ages 50 to 60 are more at risk. If you have a risk factor for ovarian cancer or any cancer, • Family History — Close relatives, such as sister, reach out to your doctor to discuss any concerns you mother, and aunt on either parent’s side who have may have.  had ovarian cancer increases your risk. (Information courtesy: www.mayoclinic.org) • Inherited Gene Mutations — Gene mutations that This information is not a replacement for the medical advice of your physician.

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 13 Comparison of Benefits Under Railroad Retirement and Social Security Employers and employees covered by the Railroad Retirement Act pay higher retirement taxes than those covered by the Social Security Act, so that railroad retirement benefits remain higher than social Q security benefits, especially for career employees who have 30 or more years of service. & The following questions and answers show the differences in railroad retirement and social security benefits payable at the close of the fis- cal year ending September 30, 2017. They also show the differences A in age requirements and payroll taxes under the two systems.

How do the average monthly railroad Adding a supplemental annuity to the railroad family’s retirement and social security benefits paid benefit increases average total benefits for current career to retired employees and spouses compare? rail retirees to over $5,590 a month. The average age annuity being paid by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at the end of fiscal year How much are the disability benefits 2017 to career rail employees was $3,415 a month, and currently awarded? for all retired rail employees the average was $2,730. The Disabled railroad workers retiring directly from the being paid average age retirement benefit under social railroad industry at the end of fiscal year 2017 were security was over $1,370 a month. Spouse benefits aver- awarded more than $2,920 a month on the average aged $1,010 a month under railroad retirement com- while awards for disabled workers under social security pared to $695 under social security. averaged approximately $1,295. The Railroad Retirement Act also provides supplemental While both the Railroad Retirement and Social Security railroad retirement annuities of between $23 and $43 Acts provide benefits to workers who are totally disabled a month, which are payable to employees who retire for any regular work, the Railroad Retirement Act also directly from the rail industry with 25 or more years of provides disability benefits specifically for employees who service. are disabled for work in their regular railroad occupa- tion. Employees may be eligible for such an occupational Are the benefits awarded to recent retirees disability annuity at age 60 with 10 years of service, or at generally greater than the benefits payable to any age with 20 years of service. those who retired years ago? Yes, because recent awards are based on higher aver- Can railroaders receive benefits at earlier ages age earnings. Age annuities awarded to career railroad than workers under social security? employees retiring at the end of fiscal year 2017 averaged Railroad employees with 30 or more years of creditable about $4,030 a month while monthly benefits award- service are eligible for regular annuities based on age ed to workers retiring at full retirement age under social and service the first full month they are age 60, and rail security averaged nearly $1,855. If spouse benefits are employees with less than 30 years of creditable service added, the combined benefits for the employee and are eligible for regular annuities based on age and service spouse would total $5,560 under railroad retirement the first full month they are age 62. coverage, compared to $2,780 under social security.

14 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 No early retirement reduction applies if a rail employee 2002, as long as the spouse’s annuity beginning date is retires at age 60 or older with 30 years of service and his after 2001. or her retirement is after 2001, or if the employee retired To qualify for a spouse’s benefit under social security, an before 2002 at age 62 or older with 30 years of service. applicant must be at least age 62, or any age if caring for Early retirement reductions are otherwise applied to a child who is entitled to receive benefits based on the annuities awarded before full retirement age, the age applicant’s spouse’s record. at which an employee can receive full benefits with no reduction for early retirement. This ranges from age 65 Does social security offer any benefits that are for those born before 1938 to age 67 for those born in not available under railroad retirement? 1960 or later, the same as under social security. Under social security, a worker cannot begin receiving Social security does pay certain types of benefits that are retirement benefits based on age until age 62, regardless not available under railroad retirement. For example, of how long he or she worked, and social security retire- social security provides children’s benefits when an ment benefits are reduced for retirement prior to full employee is disabled, retired or deceased. Under current retirement age regardless of years of coverage. law, the Railroad Retirement Act only provides children’s benefits if the employee is deceased.

Can the spouse of a railroader receive a However, the Railroad Retirement Act includes a spe- benefit at an earlier age than the spouse of a cial minimum guaranty provision which ensures that railroad families will not receive less in monthly benefits worker under social security? than they would have if railroad earnings were covered If a retired railroad employee with 30 or more years of by social security rather than railroad retirement laws. service is age 60, the employee’s spouse is also eligible for an annuity the first full continued on page 19 month the spouse is age 60. Certain early retire- ment reductions are applied if the employee first became eligible for a 60/30 annuity July 1, 1984, or later, and retired at ages 60 or 61 before 2002. If the employee was awarded a disability annuity, has attained age 60 and has 30 years of service, the spouse can receive an unreduced annuity the first full month she or he is age 60, regardless of whether the employee annuity began before or after

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 15 Most travelers plan their summer vacation in the month of February. The Union Label and Service Trades Department, AFL-CIO, wants to help you plan your next union-made get away.

HOTEL Find your union hotel by visiting the UNITE HERE Fair Hotels website: www.fairhotel.org COCKTAILS Celebrate the warm breezes by N sharing a tropical union-made O cocktail. In a large pitcher, stir I N together Dole pineapple juice, Captain U Morgan spiced rum, and Del Monte Y fresh lime juice. Refrigerate until LA chilled. Serve over ice. P PACKING Whether heading to the beach or having a stay-cation by the pool, be sure to pack your union-made Coppertone or Bain De Solei sunscreen, some Chapstick for your N TICKETS lips and some Solarcaine, just in O I Book your flight on a case. N union airline. Most U Y U.S. airlines are BU union staffed from pilots and crew to ROUTES mechanics and Amtrak travels to 500 destinations around the U.S. And reservation call their trains are operated, staffed and maintained by centers. union members. Rather Drive? Greyhound buses are operated and maintained by members of the Amalgamat- ed Transit Union (ATU) which also represents the U.S. Passports operators, drivers and support workers for the N are issued IO Metro (Washington DC) transit system. As N through your well, Avis and Budget Rental are union. U union staffed AY post offices. ST DESTINATIONS Many family-friendly destinations from national and state parks and landmarks, American’s N favorite baseball stadiums, Disney World and most other theme NIO U parks are union staffed. OK Union members can find discount admissions tickets to select BO theme parks online at www.unionplus.com. Other union destinations include Broadway shows, Sporting events, Smithsonian galleries, museums, and zoos, and the Grand Ole Opry, just to name a few. AFL-CIO NATIONAL BOYCOTTS

HOSPITALITY, OTHER TRANSPORTATION SUBMITTED BY Farm Labor & TRAVEL Organizing Committee (FLOC) SUBMITTED BY UNITE HERE! ➜ Reynolds American, Inc., When some labor Please support the workers in these Vuse e-cigarettes hotels by continuing to boycott FOOD disputes with the following properties: SUBMITTED BY United Steelworkers (USW) businesses cannot be ➜ ANCHORAGE, AK: Hilton; Sheraton ➜ PALERMO PIZZA ➜ CALIFORNIA: Hyatt Regency Santa resolved, the AFL-CIO Clara, Hyatt Regency Sacramento, SUBMITTED BY Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf San Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco supports its af liates Francisco, Hilton Long Beach, Le Workers and Grain Millers Meridien San Diego, International Union (BCTGM) by endorsing their Hilton LAX—This includes the Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, boycotts. A boycott is Yokoso Sushi Bar, the Landing ➜ Mondelez International Snack Restaurant, Century Taproom, Foods (those made in Mexico) and the Boulevard Market Cafe. an act of solidarity by LEGAL ➜ RHODE ISLAND: Renaissance voluntarily abstaining Providence Downtown Hotel SUBMITTED BY American Federation of State, ➜ SEATTLE: Grand Hyatt Seattle County & Municipal Employees from the purchase or and Hyatt at Olive 8 Seattle ➜ Gleason, Dunn, Walsh & O’Shea use of a product or ➜ Mcdonald, Lamond, service. Canzoneri and Hickernell

POLICY GUIDELINE FOR ENDORSEMENT OF AFFILIATES’ BOYCOTTS The AFL-CIO Executive Council has developed policy guidelines that regulate how the federation endorses boycotts undertaken by its affiliates. To get AFL-CIO sanction, boycotts should be directed at primary employers.

THE GUIDELINES INCLUDE THESE PROVISIONS: ➜ All requests to the national AFL-CIO for endorsement must be made ➜ The national or international union initiating the boycott is primarily by a national or international union. responsible for all boycott activities; the AFL-CIO will provide supplemental support. ➜ Any affiliated union with a contract in force with the same primary employer will be contacted by the AFL-CIO to determine whether there ➜ Boycotts will be carried on the AFL-CIO national boycott list for a is an objection to the federation’s endorsement. period of one year, and the endorsement will expire automatically at the end of that time. National and international unions may ➜ Affiliates will be asked to provide the AFL-CIO with background request one-year extensions of the listings for actions where an information on the dispute in a confidential information survey. Prior to organizing or bargaining campaign is actively in place. endorsement of the boycott, the executive officers, or their designees, will meet with the national union’s officers, or their designees, to (These guidelines were adopted by the discuss the union’s strategic plan and timetable for the boycott, or AFL-CIO Executive Council in April 2011.) other appropriate tactics, and to discuss the federation’s role. OPERATION LIFESAVER, INC. Crossing Collisions and Trespass Incidents

ecently-released U.S. government statistics reveal that railroad grade crossing incidents and rail Rtrespass casualties increased in 2017, according to rail safety education nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI). Interim OLI President Wende Corcoran cited Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) statistics that show U.S. crossing collisions rose 3.1 percent, cross- ing deaths increased 7.4 percent, and crossing injuries decreased 4.3 percent from 2016 to 2017. Total casual- ties (deaths and injuries) from rail trespassing climbed L. Batory. “The Federal Railroad Administration, in 13.3 percent in 2017; trespass deaths grew 22.3 percent conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety and trespass injuries increased 4.6 percent from their Administration, has re-launched our national ‘Stop. Trains levels in 2016. Can’t.’ campaign to further educate people about the dangers of grade crossings and to reach key, at-risk demographics. “We are very concerned about the increase in crossing inci- The Department of Transportation is unwavering, deliber- dents and deaths, and alarmed by the sharp rise in trespass ate, and committed to this important issue.” deaths,” said Corcoran. “We will be focusing public atten- tion on these issues during Rail Safety Week, September For 2017, the rail trespass casualty rate (deaths and inju- 23-29, 2018, in the U.S. and Canada. Throughout the ries per million train-miles) was 1.55, its highest level in year, Operation Lifesaver state programs continue to work the last decade, and the highway-rail incident rate (inci- closely with the FRA and our safety partners at freight, pas- dents per million train-miles) was 3.01, an increase from senger and commuter railroads and in communities across 2016, according to FRA preliminary statistics. the country to help people stay safe near tracks and trains,” States with the most crossing collisions in 2017 were she stated. Texas, California, Illinois, Florida and Georgia. States “Increasing public awareness is absolutely paramount to with the most trespasser casualties (deaths and injuries helping people make better decisions around railroad grade combined) in 2017 were California, Texas, Florida, crossings and tracks,” said FRA Administrator Ronald Pennsylvania, and Illinois. 

PTC IMPLEMENTATION MANDATE continued from page 9

December 31, 2017, shows PTC systems are in make progress in installing PTC system hardware, operation on approximately 56 percent of freight rail- with 15 railroads reporting they have completed roads’ route miles that are required to be governed by installation of all hardware necessary for PTC system PTC systems—up from 45 percent last quarter and implementation and another 11 railroads reporting 16 percent on December 31, 2016. Passenger rail- they have installed over 80 percent of PTC system roads have made less progress—with PTC systems in hardware. In addition, all but three railroads report operation on only 24 percent of required route miles, having acquired sufficient spectrum for their PTC unchanged from the previous quarter. system needs.  The latest data confirms that railroads continue to

18 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 RAILROAD RETIREMENT Q&A continued from page 15

This guaranty is intended to cover situations in which The social security lump sum is generally only payable one or more members of a family would otherwise be to the widow(er) living with the employee at the time of eligible for a type of social security benefit that is not death. Under railroad retirement, if the employee had 10 provided under the Railroad Retirement Act. Therefore, years of service before 1975, and was not survived by a if a retired rail employee has children who would oth- living-with widow(er), the lump sum may be paid to the erwise be eligible for a benefit under social security, the funeral home or the payer of the funeral expenses. employee’s annuity can be increased to reflect what social security would pay the family. How do railroad retirement and social security payroll taxes compare? How much are monthly benefits for survivors under railroad retirement and social security? Railroad retirement payroll taxes, like railroad retire- ment benefits, are calculated on a two-tier basis. Rail Survivor benefits are generally higher if payable by the employees and employers pay tier I taxes at the same RRB rather than social security. At the end of fiscal year rate as social security taxes, 7.65 percent, consist- 2017, the average annuity being paid to all aged and ing of 6.20 percent for retirement on earnings up to disabled widow(er)s was $1,650 a month, compared to $128,400 in 2018, and 1.45 percent for Medicare hos- $1,270 under social security. pital insurance on all earnings. An additional 0.9 per- cent in Medicare taxes (2.35 percent in total) will be The annuities being paid at the end of fiscal year 2017 withheld from employees on earnings above $200,000. to widowed mothers/fathers averaged $1,880 a month and children’s annuities averaged $1,080, compared to In addition, rail employees and employers both pay $955 and $840 a month for widowed mothers/fathers tier II taxes which are used to finance railroad retire- and children, respectively, under social security. ment benefit payments over and above social security levels. How do railroad retirement and social security In 2018, the tier II tax rate on earnings up to $95,400 lump-sum death benefit provisions differ? is 4.9 percent for employees and 13.1 percent for employers. Both the railroad retirement and social security systems provide a lump-sum death benefit. The railroad retire- ment lump-sum benefit is generally payable only if survi- How much are regular railroad retirement vor annuities are not immediately due upon an employ- taxes for an employee earning $128,400 in ee’s death. The social security lump-sum benefit may be 2018 compared to social security taxes? payable regardless of whether monthly benefits are also The maximum amount of regular railroad retirement due. Both railroad retirement and social security pro- taxes that an employee earning $128,400 can pay in vide a lump-sum benefit of $255. However, if a railroad 2018 is $14,497.20, compared to $9,822.60 under employee completed 10 years of creditable railroad ser- social security. For railroad employers, the maximum vice before 1975, the average railroad retirement lump- annual regular retirement taxes on an employee earning sum benefit payable is $1,000. Also, if an employee had $128,400 are $22,320, compared to $9,822.60 under less than 10 years of service, but had at least 5 years of social security. Employees earning over $128,400, and such service after 1995, he or she would have to have their employers, will pay more in retirement taxes than had an insured status under social security law (counting the above amounts because the Medicare hospital insur- both railroad retirement and social security credits) in ance tax is applied to all earnings.  order for the $255 lump-sum benefit to be payable.

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 19 BRS Designated counsel

When Signalmen suffer a work-related injury or illness, BRS members or their families are encouraged to deter- mine their rights and benefits under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act before agreeing to any settlement with the railroad employer. The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen has designated the attorneys listed in this directory to serve as qualified counsel for BRS members in employee injury cases covered by FELA. Attorneys are listed by state and are designated to serve BRS members living or working in the general region of their offices. Designation of FELA counsel is by authority of the BRS Executive Council only. BRS members are encouraged to provide information regarding FELA cases, including criticism or commendations regarding the service of designated counsel, and information on injuries and settlements. This information, which will be used in the continuing evaluation of this program, should be sent to W. Dan Pickett, President, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630-6418.

ALABAMA FLORIDA MICHIGAN NEW YORK UTAH W.C. Tucker, Jr. Howard A. Spier Arvin J. Pearlman Marc Wietzke Brent O. Hatch Maples, Tucker & Jacobs, LLC Rossman Baumberger Reboso Sommers Swartz, PC Flynn & Wietzke, PC Hatch, James & Dodge, PC 2001 Park Place North & Spier, PA 1 Towne Square 1205 Franklin Avenue 10 West Broadway Suite 1325 9155 S. Dadeland Boulevard Suite 1700 Garden City, NY 11530 Suite 400 Birmingham, AL 35203 Suite 1200 Southfield, MI 48076 Tel. (516) 877-1234 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Tel. (205) 322-2333 Miami, FL 33156 Tel. (248) 356-5000 (866) 877-3352 Tel. (801) 363-6363 www.mtandj.com Tel. (305) 373-0708 (800) 272-5400 www.felaattorney.com www.hjdlaw.com (800) 775-6511 www.sommerspc.com Arizona www.rbrlaw.com OHIO VIRGINIA Lloyd L. Rabb, III MINNESOTA Andrew J. Thompson, Esq. Willard J. Moody, Sr. Rabb & Rabb, PLLC ILLINOIS Randal W. LeNeave Shapero | Roloff Co., LPA The Moody Law Firm, Inc. 7442 N. LA Cholla Blvd. Daniel Petro Hunegs, LeNeave 1350 Euclid Avenue 500 Crawford Street Tucson, AZ 85728 The Petro Law Firm & Kvas Suite 1550 Suite 200 Tel. (520) 888-6740 One North LaSalle Street 1000 Twelve Oaks Cleveland, OH 44115 Portsmouth, VA 23704 (800) 354-3352 Suite 3150 Center Drive Tel. (216) 781-1700 Tel. (757) 393-4093 www.1stinjurylaw.com Chicago, IL 60602 Suite 101 (800) 321-9199 (800) 368-1033 Tel. (312) 332-9596 Wayzata, MN 55391 www.shaperoroloff.com www.moodyrrlaw.com (800) 472-5729 Tel. (612) 339-4511 Arkansas www.petrofelalaw.com (800) 328-4340 C. Richard Cranwell Chris Christy www.hlklaw.com PENNSYLVANIA Cranwell, Moore & Emick, PLC Law Office of H. Chris Christy Daniel J. Downes 111 W. Virginia Avenue Ridge & Downes Michael J. Olley 201 W. Broadway Street 6035 Binney Street Coffey, Kaye, Myers & Olley Vinton, VA 24179 Suite G12 101 N. Wacker Drive Omaha, NE 68104 Tel. (540) 904-1621 Suite 200 Two Bala Plaza North Little Rock, AR 72114 Tel. (402) 341-2020 Suite 718 (888) 635-6304 Tel. (501) 454-3949 Chicago, IL 60606 www.cranwellmoorelaw.com Tel. (800) 572-1136 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Gregory T. Yaeger Tel. (610) 668-9800 (800) 624-2121 Yaeger & Weiner, PLC CALIFORNIA www.ridgedownes.com (800) 334-2500 WASHINGTON 2701 University Avenue SE www.ckmo.com James K. Vucinovich Jay A. Kaplan Suite 202 Rossi Vucinovich PC Kaplan Law Corporation Minneapolis, MN 55414 MARYLAND 1000 Second Avenue 400 Oceangate Tel. (612) 345-9797 P. Matthew Darby TEXAS Suite 1780 Suite 1125 www.yw-law.com Long Beach, CA 90802 Berman, Sobin, Gross, Weldon Granger Seattle, WA 98104 Tel. (562) 372-0506 Feldman & Darby LLP Jones, Granger, (866) 357-RAIL (7245) (800) 552-7526 Heaver Plaza MISSOURI Tramuto, & Halstead www.railroad-injuries.com www.kaplanlawcorp.com 1301 York Road Gene C. Napier www.jonesgranger.com Suite 600 Hunegs, LeNeave & Kvas Anthony S. Petru Lutherville, MD 21093 1712 Main Street Robert M. Tramuto Hildebrand, McLeod & Nelson Tel. (410) 769-5400 Suite 266 10000 Memorial Drive Westlake Building (800) 248-3352 Kansas City, MO 64108 Suite 888 350 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza www.bsgfdlaw.com Tel. (913) 484-3884 Houston, TX 77210 4th Floor Drew C. Baebler Tel. (713) 668-0230 Oakland, CA 94612 (800) 231-3359 Tel. (510) 451-6732 MASSACHUSETTS The Baebler Firm, LLC (800) 689-7066 Robert T. Naumes 60 Crestwood Executive Ctr. www.hmnlaw.com Naumes Law Group, LLC St. Louis, MO 63126 2 Center Plaza Tel. (314) 270-9900 Suite 620 www.raillaw.com DISTRICT OF Boston, MA 02108 COLUMBIA Tel. (617) 227-8444 NEBRASKA Larry Mann (844) 826-8445 Alper & Mann, PC www.naumeslaw.com See Minnesota 9205 Redwood Avenue Bethesda, MD 20817 Tel. (202) 298-9191 (800) 747-6266

20 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 INSURANCEBenefitsCLAIMS GROUP D irectoryPOLICIES INFO RAILROAD RETIREMENT HEALTH PHARMACY BENEFIT PLANS

UnitedHealthcare Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefits National Plan — GA-23000 Managed Medical Care Programs (MMCP) & For treatment, claims or inquiries call: Comprehensive Health Care Benefit (CHCB) United Behavioral Health 1-866-850-6212 1-800-842-9905 www.myuhc.com www.liveandworkwell.com Access code: Railroad Retiree Claims — GA-46000 UnitedHealthcare P.O. Box 30985 Supplemental Sickness Benefits Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0985 Under Group Policy No. R-5000 1-800-842-5252 Aetna Retiree Supplemental — GA-23111 P.O. Box 189145 Plantation, FL 33318-9145 UnitedHealthcare 1-800-205-7651 • Fax: 954-452-4124 P.O. Box 30304 You may file online at: www.wkabsystem.com Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0404 Company identifier: RR 1-800-842-5252 Aetna Healthcare Dental Benefits under Group Policy Aetna No. GP-12000 3541 Winchester Road Allentown, PA 18195 Aetna 1-800-842-4044 P.O. Box 14094 www.aetna.com Lexington, KY 40512-4094 1-877-277-3368 Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield www.aetna.com Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Railroad Dedicated Unit P.O. Box 890381 Managed Pharmacy Benefit Camp Hill, PA 17089-0381 Express Scripts 1-866-267-3320 Retail pharmacy network provides medication www.bcbs.com for acute, short-term care. Life Insurance Mail-order prescription service provides medication for chronic, long-term care. MetLife UnitedHealthcare Plans GA-23000 and P.O. Box 6122 GA-46000 Utica, NY 13504-6122 1-800-842-0070 1-800-310-7770 www.express-scripts.com www.metlife.com Vision Service Plan Railroad Retirement Board EyeMed 1-877-772-5772 — Automated Help Line Member Support www.rrb.gov 1-855-212-6003 www.eyemedvisioncare.com/railroad Railroad Info — Your Track to Health Union Plus www.yourtracktohealth.com Mortgage (Wells Fargo) • AT&T Discount (Note: Information on this site does not Credit Card • Scholarships and much more apply to Amtrak employees) www.unionplus.org

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 21 The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, in recognition of BRS members’ contributions to the Signalman’s craft and their dedication to the principle of trade unionism, has established a Continuous Service program to honor longtime BRS members. Continuous Service lapel pins are presented to members every five years, beginning with their 25th year of membership.

The following is a list of the active members Years of Years of who recently received Continuous Service pins in 30 Service 25 Service recognition of their years as BRS Members: DL Lucas 188 MB Reed 94 GL Young 188 WE Ralston 102 Years of Years of Years of JA Miller 108 45 Service 35 Service 25 Service SR Smith 16 MJ Papp 14 WA Bird 110 DT Seaman 1 KW Nelson 33 DL Maxcy 110 Years of JH Frazier 2 40 Service GD Garrison 55 SE Wertman 110 AJ Huaracha 8 TW Rairigh 8 RD Wiggins 55 DE Quick 119 TJ Norwood 9 JO Friedlund 10 WM Strozzi 119 DR Snyder 102 JA Alvarado 16 B Dominguez, Jr. 121 SA Gates 16 PJ Velazquez 157 CM Cavanaugh 16 SA Campbell 129 BG Stephens 16 MD Nicholson 174 LT Edwards 16 LJ Joerger 20 TA Edwards 198 RN Henney 16 ZS Munday 129 PA Riley 20 Years of DF Hutchinson 16 BL Neptune 129 30 Service DH Westbrook 20 CW Lee 16 BK White 129 AT Baker 33 A January 5 DW Trkula 16 JR Ariel 130 JJ Smith 33 JD Novak, Sr. 5 JL Brock 19 JL Klinefelter 130 GL Knuth 39 DS Adams 14 P Haro 19 JP Scott, Jr. 130 DJ Lamb 51 RL Ellington 14 GL Wallace 19 RF Bullock, Sr. 137 MD Sanders 72 RC Gibson 16 JM Mullikin 33 RW Atkinson, Jr. 141 SD Kesler 77 HL Smith 16 DE Allen 49 JD Randolph 141 PD Smelser 77 IF Watkins 16 RP Byrd 49 W Six, Jr. 141 MR Swain 77 JD White 16 DM Helton, Jr. 49 S Barajas 156 PM Bushle 94 HA Carswell 18 CA Hester 49 RR Contreras 156 TP Bilodeau 102 FJ Fabian 20 BK Long 49 CA Mank 156 TA Chenevey 109 TD Jones 20 DA Powell 49 TG Castaneda 173 RJ Reiners 119 DA Dare 33 PR Shea 52 KT Barry 183 RW Sallee 119 JL Smith 72 LR Boren 71 A Bielanski 183 PS Wesch 119 RJ Oboczky 94 ER Dingess 77 PR Moore 126 BE Robinson 94 GL Henderson 77 RK Bracey 183 DL Drye 129 GA Rosso 102 WC Lilly 77 AJ Ciesla 183 EW Lee 129 BW Doherty 120 PL Ratcliffe 77 JL Rozanski 183 CD Sconyers 129 AV Martinez 121 AV Wolford 77 ND Nash 185 HR Trusty 129 BD Hall 141 TM Caton 94 EA Bell 216 ML Palmer 130 RD Malone 161 BL Holmes 94 VL Hannahs, Jr. 237

22 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 THE WASHINGTON REPORT continued from page 11

tees of the Appropriations Committees have already This bill provides $1.9 billion for Amtrak overall. began holding hearings for FY 2019 appropriations. Of this, $650 million goes to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC), which is $322 million more Federal Transit Administration (FTA) than FY 2017 enacted levels, and $1.29 billion for Overall, the bill provides about $13.5 billion in bud- Amtrak’s National Network. getary resources for the FTA, which is an increase of The TIGER program is funded at a level of $1.5. more than $1 billion as compared to FY 2017 enact- billion, $1 billion more than FY 2017 enacted levels. ed levels. Programs funded by Mass Transit Account (MTA) of the Highway Trust Fund received $9.733 New Federal billion, as authorized by the FAST Act for FY 2018. Railroad A handful of programs traditionally funded by the Administrator MTA also received an additional $834 million from the general fund, including $400 million for Bus Confirmed and Bus Facilities grant programs, $400 million for On February State of Good Repair, and $30 million for High 13, 2018, the Density States. Senate confirmed the nomina- The Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program tion of Ronald was appropriated $2.645 billion, up from $2.413 Batory as FRA billion in FY 2017. This total includes more than Administrator. $1.5 billion for New Starts, almost $716 million for Batory has a Core Capacity projects, and almost $401 million for 46-year career Small Starts. The bill also contains strong, legisla- in railroad tive language to ensure the future of the CIG pro- operations. Mr. gram. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Batory began his railroad career in 1971 as a travel- Authority (WMATA) received $150 million. ing Freight Car Accounting Auditor for the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton (DT&I) Railroad. In 1987, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Batory became Vice President-General Manager The bill appropriates almost $3.1 billion for rail of the Chicago, Missouri and Western Railway. In infrastructure and safety programs, an increase of 1989, he went to work for the Southern Pacific $1.2 billion from FY 2017 enacted levels. Included Transportation Company. In 1994, Batory was in this is $250 million for Federal-State State named President of the Belt Railway Company of of Good Repair Grants up from $25 million in Chicago. In 1998, CSX Transportation and Norfolk FY 2017, and $20 million for Restoration and Southern Railway brought him onboard to manage Enhancement grants, which is $15 million more the partitioning of Consolidated Rail Corporation than FY 2017. Additionally, the Consolidated Rail (Conrail) as part of a merger approved by the U.S. Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Surface Transportation Board. In 2004, Batory program created in the FAST Act received $593 became President & Chief Operating Officer of million, which is $525 million more than FY 2017. Conrail until his retirement in April 2017. Mr. Within CRISI, $250 million is specifically for posi- Batory earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971 tive train control (PTC) grants and open to com- from Adrian College in Michigan, and a Master muter railroads. This money will be distributed of Arts degree in 1975 from Eastern Michigan through FTA, similar to the $197 million for PTC University.  allocated in FY 2017.

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 23 OBITUARIES

JEFFREY D. BAILEY—active member of LOCAL 172. JOHN J. CONNOLLY—retired member of LOCAL 238. Brother Bailey had 8 years of service with BNSF Railway Brother Connolly retired in 2009 after 42 years of service Company. Brother Bailey was a Signalman on a mobile crew with the Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads, Conrail, and in Arizona at the time of his passing. Brother Bailey served as CSX Transportation. Brother Connolly was a Maintainer Recording-Financial Secretary. Test at Langhorne, Pennsylvania, at the time of his retire- ROY O. BAKER—retired member of LOCAL 112. Brother ment. Baker retired in 1987 after 40 years of service with Conrail. MITCHELL A. CORMELL—retired member of LOCAL Brother Baker was an Assistant Inspector at Mingo Junction, 16. Brother Cormell retired in 2009 after 28 years of service Ohio, at the time of his retirement. with CSX Transportation. Brother Cormell was a Signalman DOMINICK D. BASILE—retired member of LOCAL 130. at Florence, South Carolina, at the time of his retirement. Brother Basile retired in 2006 after 42 years of service with the BILL L. DAVIS—retired member of LOCAL 49. Brother Union Pacific Railroad. Brother Basile was a District Foreman Davis retired in 1992 after 43 years of service with the at Northlake, Illinois, at the time of his retirement. Norfolk Southern Railway. Brother Davis was a Signal DONALD W. BETTY—retired member of LOCAL 68. Maintainer at Whitley City, Kentucky, at the time of his Brother Betty retired in 1988 after 14 years of service with retirement. Conrail. Brother Betty was an Assistant Signal Inspector at JAMES T. DECKER, JR.—retired member of LOCAL Elkhart, Indiana, at the time of his retirement. 114. Brother Decker retired in 2000 after 36 years of service DEWEY “KEN” K. BRANDON—retired member of with the Pennsylvania and Penn Central Railroads, Conrail, LOCAL 188. Brother Brandon retired in 2002 after 32 and Amtrak. Brother Decker was a Communications years of service with the Burlington Northern Railroad; Inspector at Washington, D.C., at the time of his retirement. Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway; and BNSF Railway Brother Decker served as Recording-Financial Secretary. Company. Brother Brandon was a Signal Foreman at Wishram, Brother Decker is a U.S. Army Veteran. Washington, at the time of his retirement. Brother Brandon JAMES “JIM” W. DEMONTIGNY—retired member of served as Local Chairman. Brother Brandon is a U.S. Army LOCAL 119. Brother DeMontigny retired in 1989 after Veteran. 41 years of service with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy RAYMOND F. BRASS—retired member of LOCAL 123. and Burlington Northern Railroads. Brother DeMontigny Brother Brass retired in 1985 after 37 years of service with the was a Signal Maintainer at Ralston, Nebraska, at the time of Chessie System. Brother Brass was a Signal Inspector at the time his retirement. Brother DeMontigny is a U.S. Army Veteran of his retirement. Brother Brass is a U.S. Army Veteran who who served during the Korean War. served from 1943 until 1946 and was awarded the Bronze Star. ANTON DORNER, JR.—retired member of LOCAL 56. SAMUEL P. BROWNE, JR.—retired member of LOCAL Brother Dorner retired in 1990 after 30 years of service with 174. Brother Browne retired in 2010 after 40 years of ser- the Long Island Rail Road. Brother Dorner was a Signal vice with the Chicago and Eastern Illinois, Missouri Pacific, Maintainer at Patchogue, New York, at the time of his retire- and Union Pacific Railroads. Brother Browne was a Signal ment. Brother Dorner served as Local President. Maintainer at Watseka, Illinois, at the time of his retirement. NICOLA J. DOTTINO—retired member of LOCAL 80. Brother Browne served as Local Chairman. Brother Dottino retired in 1989 after 46 years of service JAMES G. BURCAR—retired member of LOCAL 14. with the New York Central and Penn Central Railroads and Brother Burcar retired in 1995 after 36 years of service with the Conrail. Brother Dottino was a Signal Maintainer at Selkirk, Grand Trunk Western Railroad. Brother Burcar was a Signal New York, at the time of his retirement. Brother Dottino is a Inspector at Pontiac, Michigan, at the time of his retirement. U.S. Army Veteran who served during World War II. GEORGE M. DUNN LOCAL 56. ROBERT G. BURTZOS—retired member of LOCAL 108. —retired member of Brother Burtzos retired in 1985 after 37 years of service with Brother Dunn retired in 1989 after 30 years of service with the Chicago & North Western Railway. Brother Burtzos was the Long Island Rail Road. Brother Dunn was a Signal a Signal Maintainer at Malta, Illinois, at the time of his retire- Foreman at Babylon, New York, at the time of his retire- ment. ment. R.E. EVERTTS LOCAL 106. ERNEST A. CLEMONS—retired member of LOCAL 45. —retired member of Brother Brother Clemons retired in 1983 after 42 years of service with Evertts retired in 1984 after 41 years of service with the Penn the New York Central and Penn Central Railroads and Conrail. Central Railroad and Amtrak. Brother Evertts was a C&S Brother Clemons was a Signal Maintainer at Greensburg, Maintainer at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the time of his Indiana, at the time of his retirement. retirement. CHARLES G. FEDOROW LOCAL EMILIO E. COLÓN—retired member of LOCAL 99. —retired member of 56. Brother Colón retired in 2011 after 30 years of service with the Brother Fedorow retired in 2000 after 26 years of service Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads. Brother Colón with the Long Island Rail Road. Brother Fedorow was a was a Lead Signalman at Eunice, Louisiana, at the time of his Communications Signalman at Morris Park, Queens, New retirement. York, at the time of his retirement.

24 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 ELMER G. FICK, JR.—retired member of LOCAL 109. LOREN L. MACKEDANZ—retired member of LOCAL Brother Fick retired in 1988 after 40 years of service with 154. Brother Mackedanz retired in 2013 after 37 years of the New York Central and Penn Central Railroads and service with the Burlington Northern Railroad. Brother Conrail. Brother Fick was a Signal Maintainer at Greenville, Mackedanz was a Signal Maintainer at Mitchell, South Pennsylvania, at the time of his retirement. Brother Fick Dakota, at the time of his retirement. Brother Mackedanz is a served as Local Chairman. U.S. Army Veteran who served during the Vietnam War. FRANKLIN D. FIFIELD—retired member of LOCAL 62. MICHAEL D. MANLEY—retired member of LOCAL 84. Brother Fifield retired in 1999 after 26 years of service with Brother Manley retired in 2002 after 36 years of service with the Providence & Worcester Railroad. Brother Fifield was an the Pennsylvania Railroad and New Jersey Transit. Brother Inspector at Plainfield, Connecticut, at the time of his retire- Manley was a Signal Inspector at Orange, New Jersey, at the ment. time of his retirement. CLAUDE H. FYE, JR.—retired member of LOCAL 57. Brother Fye retired in 1988 after 38 years of service with the TIMOTHY “BIKER DUDE” R. PRICE—active member Lehigh Valley Railroad and Conrail. Brother Fye was an of LOCAL 132. Brother Price had 13 years of service with the Assistant Foreman at Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the time of Alton & Southern Railway. Brother Price was a Lead Signal his retirement. Brother Fye served as Local Chairman. Maintainer at East St. Louis, Illinois, at the time of his pass- ing. JOSEPH A. GALE—retired member of LOCAL 231. Brother Gale retired in 2003 after 38 years of service with the THOMAS E. RAGARD—active member of LOCAL 93. Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad. Brother Gale was a General Brother Ragard had 39 years of service with Conrail and Foreman at Brewster, Ohio, at the time of his retirement. Norfolk Southern Railway. Brother Ragard was a Foreman on JOHN R. GALLO—active member of LOCAL 3. Brother the Harrisburg Division at the time of his passing. Gallo had 16 years of service with the Indiana Harbor Belt TERRY L. ROLAND—active member of LOCAL 119. Railroad. Brother Gallo was a Hump Classification Yard Brother Roland had 39 years of service with the Burlington Foreman at the time of his passing. Northern Railroad and BNSF Railway Company. Brother DUANE J. GRAGE—active member of LOCAL 156. Roland was a Signal Safety Assistant at McCook, Nebraska, at Brother Grage had 25 years of service with the Atchison, the time of his passing. Topeka & Santa Fe Railway and BNSF Railway Company. CLARENCE J. RUTTEN—retired member of LOCAL 154. Brother Grage was a Mobile Signal Crew Signalman in California at the time of his passing. Brother Rutten retired in 1994 after 31 years of service with the Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroads. PHILIP S. HAFNER—retired member of LOCAL 111. Brother Rutten was a Signal Inspector at Staples, Minnesota, Brother Hafner retired in 2004 after 36 years of service with at the time of his retirement. Brother Rutten served as Local the Union Pacific Railroad. Brother Hafner was a Retarder Trustee. Yard Maintainer at Pocatello, Idaho, at the time of his retire- ment. Brother Hafner served as Local Chairman. STANLEY G. SIMMONS—active member of LOCAL 129. Brother Simmons had 6 years of service with the BNSF DANIEL L. HAZLETT—active member of LOCAL 9. Brother Hazlett had 33 years of service with the Chicago & Railway Company. Brother Simmons was a Traveling PTC North Western Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. Brother Construction Signalman at the time of his passing. Hazlett was a Signal Maintainer at St. Francis, Wisconsin, at RONALD G. STANSBERRY—retired member of LOCAL the time of his passing. 20. Brother Stansberry retired in 2017 after 41 years of JERRY A. HOWARD—retired member of LOCAL 16. service with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway and Brother Howard retired in 2010 after 33 years of service with BNSF Railway Company. Brother Stansberry was a Signal the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and CSX Transportation. Maintainer at Baring, Missouri, at the time of his retirement. Brother Howard was a Signalman at the time of his retire- NATHAN J. THOMPSON—active member of LOCAL ment. 1. Brother Thompson had 5 years of service with the LEON “DUDE” W. KRAMER—retired member of LOCAL Norfolk Southern Railway. Brother Thompson was a Section 1. Brother Kramer retired in 2001 after 25 years of service Maintainer at Antes, Pennsylvania, at the time of his passing. with Conrail and Norfolk Southern Railway. Brother Kramer was a Signal Maintainer at Mifflin, Pennsylvania, at the time R.E. WELSH—retired member of LOCAL 52. Brother of his retirement. Brother Kramer is a U.S. Army Veteran who Welsh retired in 2005 after 36 years of service with the Penn served from 1957 until 1959. Central Railroad. Brother Welsh was a Signalman at the time of his retirement. DOUGLAS H. LUNDY—active member of LOCAL 215. Brother Lundy had 32 years of service with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and CSX Transportation. Brother Lundy EDITOR’S NOTE: was a System Signal Construction Foreman from Corbin, Please notify Grand Lodge of the Kentucky, at the time of his passing. Brother Lundy served as passing of retired BRS members.

Local President. Email: [email protected]

The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 25 Make checkormoneyorderpayableto: PHONE CITY STREET NAME Brotherhood ofR Brotherhood MAIL PAYMENT ANDORDERTO: Signalman’s Store Signalman’s StoreFulfillment fade resistant material. from wrinkle resistant, snag-proof, GOLF SHIRTS—are constructed material. cotton and40%polyester from ablendConstructed of60% placket with pearl-tonebuttons. bandedcollar,button-down anddress dress shirtscontainadouble yoke, OXFORD SHIRTS — seam pockets. nylon taffetalining. Includes side microfiber withpolyester 100% NAVY WINDSHIRT—100% available. Many different styles andcolors Caps on theface. BRS Watches fits all. long. Limegreen/reflective, onesize Thread 8½” Band,approximately of 100%acrylic with 3MReflective SAFETY KNITBEANIE emblem. Available inblackonly. lar. Embroidered four-colorBRS lining, with leather sleeves andcol- shell,nylon wool — Heavyweight WOOL/LEATHER BRSJACKETS Available inblackorbrown. logo embroidered inred andgreen. cotton canvaswith BRScolorlight CANVAS COAT 4801 Viewpoint Place Cheverly, MD20781 — Adjustable headband. ailroad Signalmen — Made of 100% — Madeof100% — Gold BRS logo — GoldBRSlogo

Long-sleeve —

Made Made EMAIL ORDER NLI NE AT WWW.BRS.OG

Golf Balls BRS Flag BRS Flag ITEM DESCRIPTION Mantle/Desk Clock Wrist Watch Pocket Watch Coffee Mug Cap Cap Cap HATS Cap Safety Beanie Cap Cap Cap Cap Brown Canvas Coat Brown Black CanvasCoat Black Wool &Leather Coat Navy Windshirt Oxford Dress Shirt Oxford Dress Shirt Oxford Dress Shirt Golf Shirt Golf Shirt Golf Shirt Golf Shirt Golf Shirt Union Strong T-Shirt Union Strong T-Shirt Signal Graphic T-Shirt APPAREL Blue Jacket Black Sweatshirt CLEARANCE ITEMS Available sizesinun-shadedboxes (black w/colorlight onbrim) (gray) (blue) (black) (black w/BRSonbrim) (pink) (brown diamond(brown plate (black dyesub (pack of3) (3’ x5’) (2’x3’) (women’s burgundy(women’s w/logo) bluew/logo) (steel (navy w/logo) (burgundy w/logo) (black w/logo) (lime green) ) STATE (quarter zip) (quarter

(white) (gray) (blue) ) (charcoal) (navy)  S S M M L L CERTIFICATE # XL XL QUANTITY QUANTITY 2X 2X 3X 3X ZIP 4X 4X 132.00 115.50 PRICE 195.00 195.00 PRICE TOTAL 85.00 PRICE PRICE 53.50 94.50 18.00 18.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 14.00 18.00 16.00 17.00 85.00 85.00 60.75 48.00 48.00 48.00 37.50 37.50 37.50 37.50 37.50 16.00 16.00 14.00 53.00 35.00 8.00 9.75

TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL Signalman’s Store

CHARCOAL NAVY BLUE WHITE GRAY UNION STRONG T-SHIRT Graphic Shown Imprinted on Back of Shirt OXFORD SHIRTS GRAPHIC T-SHIRT

BLACK WOOL WRIST WATCH BROWN CANVAS COAT & LEATHER COAT BLACK CANVAS COAT POCKET WATCH

BURGUNDY* BLACK NAVY STEEL BLUE WINDSHIRT GOLF SHIRTS (*Women’s sizes available in Burgundy only) SAFETY KNIT BEANIE

CLEARANCE ITEMS $53

Black Sweatshirt ...... $42.00 $35.00 $ 35 Blue Jacket ...... $63.00 $53.00

NEW Designs

FLAG BASEBALLASSORTED CAPS CAPS MANTLE CLOCK BRS 52nd Regular Convention BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS • AUGUST 6–10, 2018

ACCOMMODATIONS The Westin Copley Place, Boston, Massachusetts. Rooms are $215 plus tax, per room, per night. Please be advised that the special group rate of $215 plus tax is available until Saturday, June 30, 2018, and any res- ervation request received after that time may be accepted on a space available basis at the prevailing hotel rates. The $215 rate is for two adults and children. The rate for three registered adults is $245 plus tax, per room, per night. The rate is $275 per night with four adults in a room. Guests will need a credit card to make a reservation.

DINING THINGS TO DO There are many dining options in and around Boston, Boston is a city rich in history! Below you will find a few below are just a few suggestions: ways to explore that, as well as activities and adventures to keep the whole family busy! The Huntington: Breakfast. • Freedom Trail • Boston Public Library Ingredients: Breakfast, lunch, and quick bites. • Duck Boat Tours • Boston Common Starbucks: Breakfast and lunch. • New England Aquarium • Cheers Au Bon Pain: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. • The Paul Revere House The Friendly Toast: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. • Boston Children’s Museum Flour Bakery & Café: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. • Skywalk at the Prudential Center Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse: Lunch and • Fenway Park, Home of the Boston Red Sox dinner. • John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library ShabuMaru: Lunch and dinner. • USS Constitution Museum Stephanie’s on Newbury: Lunch and dinner. The Barking Crab: (Boston’s waterfront) For more information visit: www.brs.org lunch and dinner. You may book your room by visiting: Legal Harborside: (Boston’s waterfront) lunch and https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/ dinner. book/brsconvention2018 Boston Burger Company: Lunch and dinner. Call Westin’s Reservation Center: 888-627-7216 Tresca: (Boston’s north end) dinner. MENTION GROUP CODE BRS CONVENTION MAIN Abe & Louie’s: Dinner. BLOCK 2018 FOR GROUP RATE Mike’s Pastry: (Boston’s north end) Special group block rate available until June 30, 2018 Atlantic Fish Company: Dinner.

28 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 MASSACHUSETTS CHARLES 2018RIVER BACK BRS BAY

AUGUST 6–10

FREEDOM TRAIL STATE" "THE BAY

REGULAR CONVENTION SIGNALMEN MAYFLOWER Local Chairmen’s Training Front Royal, Virginia

30 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 Local Chairmen’s Training Front Royal, Virginia PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS FOR 2nd Quarter 2018

Lightning strikes photographed in the summer of 2017, on a former BN (now BNSF) line, between Clayton to Raton, New Mexico. Photo submitted by Local 161 member Danny Chaparro, Assistant General Chairman, BNSF General Committee.

ENTER TO WIN Prizes

Submit photo(s) to: [email protected] If we use your photo in the B.R.C. #230 delivers a new control house to the signal gang at the Signalman’s Belt Railway Company of Chicago 87th Street Interlocker. Journal Pictured: Tony Przewoznik, Local Trustee; Timothy O’Connell, you will be Local Trustee; Jim McNeill, Recording -Financial Secretary, and John Peters, who are all members of Local 194. automatically entered in the yearly Photo taken by Daniel Lawler of Local 194, photo submitted by Jim McNeill , Recording -Financial Secretary of Local 194. Photo Contest

32 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 member photos LOCAL 183 NEWS KEN LOVATO RETIRES

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: R.J. “Bob” Shanahan (BRS), Joe Ellul (MOW), Richard Haywood (BRS), Clint Haywood (BRS), Ken Lovato (BRS), Mike Cathcart (BRS), and Charlie Egdorf (BRS). All pictured BRS members are retired members of Local 183. LOCAL 194 NEWS LOCAL 123 NEWS WALLACE MURPHY RETIRES INSTALLATION OF OFFICER

BRS Midwest Vice President Joe Mattingly con- Midwest Vice President Joe Mattingly congratulates gratulates former Belt Railway of Chicago General J.P. “Josh” Hanes on his recent election to Second Chairman Wally Murphy on his upcoming retirement Vice President for Local 123. at the Local 194 meeting in Blue Island, Illinois. The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2018 33 ENTER TO WIN REALTREE TALLADEGA RACE WEEKEND FOR FOUR! OCT. 1214, 2018 TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY $10,000 VALUE!

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and Realtree are giving one lucky USA member and three guests three days of unforgeable, white-knuckle racing action Oct. 12-14, 2018 at NASCAR’s biggest track, the legendary Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. Prize package includes tickets to Friday’s qualifying action and weekend races including the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, plus first-class seating in Realtree’s luxury suite, pit road passes, meals and four nights lodging for four.

Must be a Union Sportsmen’s Alliance member or AFL-CIO union member to qualify. DEADLINE TO ENTER: August 31, 2018. ENTER SWEEPSTAKES & BECOME A USA MEMBER FOR FREE! www.unionsportsmen.org/talladega