AFL-CIO alert: Trump nominates anti-labor lawyers to National Labor Relations Board

On June 17, 2017, the AFL-CIO issued a legislative alert to U.S. Senators regarding Trump’s nomination of Marvin Kaplan and William Emanuel to fill the vacant seats on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In the alert, Emanuel is noted for representing the “…notorious union-busting law firm Littler Mendelson,” and Kaplan’s, “…sole experience with labor…


July 18th 2017
A celebration of life scheduled for member Jeff Duris

Family and friends of the late Jeff Duris are invited to come together and share your love, stories and a pint in his honor. The celebration is being held Sunday, August 6, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wherehouse, 818 South Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53204. Those wishing to attend are encouraged…


House Appropriations Committee releases details of 2018 transportation funding bill

On July 10, the House Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill, which includes funding for the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. Although the bill will fund many important transportation projects and agencies, including Amtrak, at the same…


July 12th 2017
RRB: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, which provides two kinds of benefits for qualified railroaders: unemployment benefits for those who become unemployed but are ready, willing and able to work; and sickness benefits for those who are unable to work because of sickness or injury. Sickness benefits are also payable…


July 11th 2017
Grupo Mexico acquires Florida East Coast Railway

On July 7, Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. announced that its Grupo Mexico Transportes S.A. de C.V. unit (GMXT) completed its procurement of Florida East Coast Holdings Corp., parent company of Florida East Coast Railway (FECR). The acquisition had approvals from the Committee on Foreign Investment, Surface Transportation Board and the Federal Communications Commission. SMART…