What Is NARVRE?

The National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE) was organized in 1937.  NARVRE’s primary purpose according to their original by- laws is, “for the study of the legislative principles and processes of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937″, cooperating with retired and active railroad employees on actions affecting these principles.  NARVRE has always worked closely with rail labor as well as the railroad industry, and other senior, retiree organizations on legislative proposals that may prove harmful to their membership and demand a unified action.  NARVRE’s membership of current and former railway employees gain strength and aid through a mutual association with other supportive groups while promoting the general welfare of retired railroad people in the United States of America.”

Stimulus Relief Aid is desperately needed for Amtrak and rail employees.  The Senate took another vacation and has chosen to ignore House passed legislation.  A stimulus package is needed now to help American citizens and businesses, due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Our mission is to urge Congress to include Amtrak and Amtrak employees in a legislative aid package.  NARVRE stands with all rail train service advocates and this latest letter from representative organizations asking Congress to remember that Amtrak is a viable transportation service in America, much the same as the airline industry.  Please make another call.  Let’s follow-up and contact our Representatives and Senators @ 877-668-3864 or 877-668-3866.   Remind Congress not to forget Amtrak in the next relief aid package…! 

TCU/IAM, All RAIL STAKEHOLDERS URGE CONGRESS TO PROVIDE AMTRAK, TRANSIT RELIEF: TCU/IAM joined with other groups representing rail passengers in the U.S., Amtrak workers, Commuter and Transit employees, and railway suppliers, to remind Congress not to forget about the other pieces of America’s national intercity transportation network: Amtrak and public transit systems.

Consider this an update on our continual work opposing proposals for heavier trucks in the U.S. Congress. NARVRE has an ongoing working relationship with the rail carriers (AAR) and rail labor, of course, as the rail industry stands to lose business if more cargo could be moved on bigger trucks and intermodal truck-rail freight shipping, causing more employee furloughs affecting railroad retirement. 

All Amtrak advocates are advising the Senate that we expect them to Act Now. 

The House has passed their legislation, and the Senate needs to act.

See Highlight ( www.vote.org)…Consider this as a courtesy and simple reminder to be prepared to vote on November 3, 2020.

We regret to announce the passing of NARVRE Area 2 Director JJ Grabner III, age 70. NARVRE offers our sincere condolences to Lauren, their family, and JJ’s many friends. His years of service and many contributions to NARVRE are certainly appreciated. According to information provided by Unit 151, East Liverpool, OH, JJ’s funeral services are private.

On October 10, 2018, a bill titled “Know The Lowest Price Act of 2018”, (S.2553) was passed and signed into law. This legislation stops private insurers from using so-called gag orders that “restricts” pharmacies from offering customers the same drug but at a lower price if they paid out-of-pocket. Turns out the insurance prescription drug plans prohibited the pharmacies from alerting the customer about the difference in price, and customers have been overpaying at the pharmacy counter more than 20 percent of the time. As example, an Rx for high blood pressure medication could be $20 with insurance coverage, but only $8.00 out-of-pocket (if the pharmacy were allowed to inform the customer). It should be noted that 25 states had already made these practices illegal. So, while this practice has been stopped, there are other provisions in other contracts that restrict our government from working to obtain the lower price of drugs for seniors, such as the Medicare Part D agreement with the healthcare industry. After the implementation of Medicare Pt D in 2006, seniors have argued that the provision restricting Medicare from negotiating the costs of drugs with the industry should be repealed, as pricing rates for industry drugs are private and not transparent, and billions in profits are made off of seniors enrolled in their Part D plans. Most seniors will remember the bus trips into Canada in years gone by, in order to save money. On that subject, we need new hearings to pass the “Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act”, and effectively demand that the pharmaceutical industry lower the costs of drugs here in the U.S. We look forward to a change in leadership on November 6th, but seniors must continue to pressure Congress, no matter who holds the Majority in 2019. NARVRE will be working with other senior organizations, like the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), as we urge our members and retirees to contact Congress and insist they begin to work for their constituents, and not their political party. We continue to encourage all members to introduce yourselves to your Members in Congress, especially if you have a new, fresh face elected to the House or Senate. Let them know you are an active NARVRE member and expect them to protect our earned benefits, such as railroad retirement and Medicare. Gary Faley, Legislative Director

The bill (HR 6147) that would preserve Amtrak service over the entire current Southwest Chief route has passed out of the Senate and is now headed for a conference committee in the House to reconcile the differences in spending bills from both chambers.  If you haven’t called your Representatives in the House, please do so.  We need to protect the Amtrak network and the rail jobs that could be adversely affected.