It has been an eventful few months for railroad workers as a possible strike loomed at the end of last year, 2022. However, President Biden has signed a resolution from Congress that imposes a tentative contract agreement. Congress passed the resolution on December 2, binding rail workers to the tentative contract agreement to avert the first national rail strike in decades.
The possibility of a nationwide rail strike was averted, effective December 2, 2022. Realizing that a strike on our nation and overall economy could be detrimental, President Biden called for Congressional intervention. This is in accordance with the Railway Labor Act (RLA).
As NARVRE officials, we consider it our duty to report to you ALL the facts from Washington, D.C., so you do not miss anything. This is just one of the perks of being a member of NARVRE.
Important legislation has recently been passed through Congress this summer. The most recent bill to pass the House this summer was the Inflation Reduction Act (HR5376) which passed on a party-line vote 220-207 after the Senate passed the measure on a 51-50 vote margin with Vice-President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. The President has signed the bill, and this legislative package is now law.
The Unity of Purpose was recently implemented by your Executive Board, including:
To all NARVRE members, it is time to prepare for the membership renewal drive for 2023. We are urging every unit to get set up for this crucial time. Maintaining and gaining new members is essential to NARVRE carrying out the many duties that keep your retirement benefits secure.
If you are a railroad veteran, current railroad employee, or retired from the railroad, you should consider joining NARVRE if you are not yet a member. NARVRE is the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees. NARVRE is essentially your gateway to Washington D.C. The legislative offices of NARVRE work closely with the Railroad Retirement Board ensuring that your benefits stay intact among many other legislative appropriations, including upgrading computerization. Once the computerization is upgraded, we will be more assured that our information is protected, and our field offices are adequately staffed.
We are proud to announce our newly elected National President, George Boatwright. Mr. Boatwright began his 32-year railroad career in Jacksonville, Florida, on the Seaboard Coast Line railroad in 1977. Eight years later, he was hired by Amtrak for Auto Train Service as a Locomotive Engineer. During this time, he served on the safety committee and as a Vice Local Chairman of the BLE&T Southeast Regional Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
In May of this year, 2022, we celebrated our 42nd biennial convention at the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, California. We were very pleased to be able to celebrate this year since COVID-19 put plans on hold for our previous convention that was to be held in 2020.
Since the age of 48, Tom Dwyer has been a vital member of NARVRE. Tom started in Unit 109 at Minneapolis’ St. Paul. Initially, he was the Unit Legislative Representative as well as a term as president. He has seen NARVRE do some marvelous things under his guidance.