VOLUME 101 • 2ND QUARTER 2020 COVID-19 has impacted all of us, Union Plus can help. Be well and stay healthy, The Union Plus Team Official Publication of the BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD SIGNALMEN WWW.BRS.ORG VOLUME 101 • 2ND QUARTER 2020 DIRECTORY NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: Union BrotherS 917 Shenandoah Shores Road Front Royal, VA 22630-6418 A special section dedicated to our Union Brothers and (540) 622-6522 • Fax: (540) 622-6532 Sisters who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces ..... 6 [email protected] Jerry Boles, President (ext. 525) • [email protected] Agreement — Providence & Worchester ................. 10 Mike Baldwin, Secretary-Treasurer Agreement — Paducah & Louisville ........................ 11 (ext. 527) • [email protected] Tim Tarrant, Vice President Headquarters Agreement — Summit Signal, Inc. .......................... 11 (ext. 528) • [email protected] Brandon Elvey, Vice President NRAB (ext. 524) • [email protected] Kurt Mullins, Director of Research (ext. 572) • [email protected] EMAPHORE Quinn Norman, Grand Lodge Representative at (ext. 573) • [email protected] S Grand Lodge Chris Hand, Grand Lodge Representative A reconditioned Semaphore Signal, (ext. 566) • [email protected] which was generously donated by WASHINGTON OFFICE: 815 16th Street NW, 4th Floor BNSF Railway’s Springfield Signal Washington, D.C. 20006 Shop was installed at the BRS Grand Mike Efaw, National Legislative Director 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 Lodge in Front Royal, Virginia .... 12 (ext. 528) • [email protected] FIELD VICE PRESIDENTS: Did You Know? ..................................................................................... 3, 10, 25 Joe Mattingly, Vice President Midwest 400 Contessa Lane, Trenton, KY 42286 Introducing MyRRB ........................................................................................ 14 (270) 466-0405 • [email protected] Coronavirus Self-Checker Information ............................................................. 15 Jim Finnegan, Vice President Commuter/Passenger We Can Help Slow the Spread Together ........................................................... 18 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 622-6522 (ext. 528) • [email protected] In Memoriam — Walt Lauer ........................................................................... 25 Cory Claypool, Vice President West 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 The RRB Reminds Customers to Avoid Scams ................................................. 29 (540) 622-6522 (ext. 528) • [email protected] Doug VanderJagt, Vice President East AFL-CIO Don’t Buy ......................................................................................... 32 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 622-6522 (ext. 528) • [email protected] Photo Highlights from Local 71 Meeting ......................................................... 33 Photo Highlights from Local Chairmen’s and Local RFS Training ..................... 34 BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Gus Demott, Chairman P.O. Box 888, Clinton, SC 29325 (864) 938-0353 From the President ............................................................................................. 2 John McArthur, Secretary P.O. Box 960639, El Paso, TX 79996 From the Secretary-Treasurer ............................................................................. 4 (775) 846-1794 Chris Natale, Member Railroad Retirement Questions & Answers ........................................................ 16 60 Oak Place, Babylon, NY 11702 (631) 587-0024 Washington Report .......................................................................................... 20 OFFICERS EMERITUS: Obituaries ........................................................................................................ 22 V.M. “Butch” Speakman, Jr., President Emeritus 14212 Viola Place, Huntley , IL 60142 Designated Legal Counsel ........................................ 26 Benefits Directory .................................................... 27 The Signalman’s Journal (ISSN-0037-5020) is published quarterly by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630-6418. Continuous Membership .......................................... 28 Periodicals Postage Paid at Signalman’s Store ................................................... 30 Front Royal, VA and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Photo Contest Winners for 2nd Quarter 2020 .......... 36 The Signalman’s Journal, The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, 917 Shenandoah Shores Road, Front Royal, VA 22630-6418. Subscription Rates: $10.00 per year, sold only in the United States and Canada. Single copy price is $3.00. COVER: Installation of a new signal in Waterloo, Iowa. Photo submitted by Matt Lydick, Local 97 Member. FROM THE PRESIDENT Jerry C. Boles, BRS President FACING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES WITH Dignity & Strength Brothers, Transportation Association (APTA), have combined their resources and jointly petitioned the FRA for This has been a tumultuous year. The coun- relief from a multitude of safety regulations. The FRA try is turned upside down from the deadly novel granted the mega-coalition of railroads the requested Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and our craft has relief from safety regulations that provide protection not been immune. Despite the pandemic and declara- to their employees and the general public citing that, tion of a national emergency, our members continue to among other reasons, a potential shortage in staffing show up each day to ensure the safety of the railroad due to COVID-19 and compliance with all federal for trains and the traveling public, alike. As has become railroad safety regulations the expectation in the could significantly hinder precision scheduled “I want to extend my appreciation to the their ability to operate. railroading era, the car- Signalmen who go to work everyday, no riers continue to expect matter the conditions faced, especially The BRS, along with a Signalmen to do more coalition of Rail Labor with less. throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.” submitted comments in response to the FRA’s deci- Prior to the novel — JERRY BOLES, BRS PRESIDENT sion to grant the waivers COVID-19 pandemic, and requested a hearing there had been coor- on such. Rail Labor requested, simply, that the many dinated efforts to relax or completely remove critical furloughed members be recalled before waivers are safety regulations. BRS has been doing everything granted. My office continues to monitor the situation we can to ensure that the life-saving regulations you and will update you as we receive a response. work under remain in place, as well as actively work- ing to strengthen protective benefits for members that Many of you are familiar with the CARES Act, which may be affected due to line sales or potential merg- provides over $2 trillion in relief as the nation deals ers. We are vigorously working toward the goal of with the COVID-19 virus. Provisions of the CARES ensuring any new rail transportation start-up will be Act provides direct payments to American households, granted the protections and covered under the Railway an expansion of the unemployment insurance pro- Labor Act (RLA), Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), gram, small business assistance, and protections that Railroad Unemployment Act (RUIA), and the Federal ensure emergency funding is not used for stock buy- Employee Liability Act (FELA). There are entities out backs and CEO bonuses. The emergency funding bill there wanting these laws weakened or done away with includes over $100 billion specifically for transporta- altogether. Without these laws, our job becomes more tion through direct funding and loans/loan guarantees, dangerous, with harsher working conditions. These along with a number of key provisions for the railroad jobs become about increasing profits for the carriers industry. The CARES Act provides railroad workers and stuffing the fattened pockets of Wall Street. with the following: The Association of American Railroads (AAR), • An enhanced Railroad Unemployment Insurance American Short Line and Regional Railroad Act (RUIA) benefit of $1,200 per two-week peri- Association (ASLRRA), and American Public od, in addition to regular RUIA benefits. 2 The Signalman’s Journal 2nd Quarter 2020 FROM THE PRESIDENT • Suspension of the seven-day waiting period for • Provide RRB with adequate funding to administer benefits provided under the RUIA. its programs. Additional highlights of the CARES Act include: • Parity for all railroad unemployment benefits. • $1 billion in additional funding to help Amtrak There will most likely be at least one more COVID- respond to the COVID-19 crisis. ($492 million 19 package, if not more. The FAST Act is set to expire to the Northeast Corridor and $508 million to this year, and BRS is hoping surface transportation is a support its long-distance service.) key focus in the next phase of Coronavirus relief. It is my belief that infrastructure is the best way to recov- • A requirement for Amtrak to provide ery, and BRS will continue to be at the table whenever Congressional reports if employee furloughs occur. it is discussed. • $25 billion in additional funding for transit agen- cies (including commuter rail) to respond to the In closing, I want to extend my appreciation to the COVID-19 crisis. Signalmen who go to work everyday, no matter the conditions faced, especially throughout the COVID- • Relief checks up to $1,200 per person and $500 19 pandemic. I would also like to recognize all the per child. front-line workers