Cleveland, Ohio – The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) is proud to join the rail labor community in celebrating Congressional passage of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act. This landmark legislation permanently exempts Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) benefits (including unemployment and sickness benefits) from sequestration, ending the unfair 5.7% reduction that railroaders have endured for far too long.
Resulting from years of collaborative advocacy among labor unions and across political lines, the legislation’s passage represents a moment of political justice for railroad workers. By eliminating the outdated sequestration tax, which reduced Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefit payments by $50 every two weeks, the REEF Act provides additional financial relief to railroaders when they need it most.
“For years, these cuts compounded the financial strain rail labor members felt who were already struggling to make ends meet on limited benefits,” said ATDA Vice President Brandon Denucci. “While $50 may not seem like much to some, it could mean the difference between paying a bill or putting food on the table. This legislation is a major step toward treating our industry’s workers with the dignity they deserve.”
Denucci went on to emphasize the collective effort required to achieve this success: “This is a prime example of what can be accomplished when labor unions and legislators work hand in hand to address injustices. Our members and the entire railroad workforce can take pride in knowing their advocacy played a critical role in securing this long-overdue relief, and the ATDA will continue fighting to ensure fair treatment and equity for all railroad employees.”
The ATDA commends the tireless efforts of all who contributed to this victory, including our brothers and sisters from other rail labor organizations who raised their voices, and the lawmakers who championed the cause. With the legislation now passed, it will now advance to the desk of President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign the REEF Act into law.