eolesen wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 12:36 pm
The local grocery store kid isn't going to have a pension or healthcare benefits anywhere close to what the railroads receive. Nor are they going to have the amount of paid time off.
You can say that the PEBs offer was a joke, but historically they have always split the difference down the middle. If you allow yourself to get into a PEB, that's the risk you take by not negotiating before that.
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While our retirement is far better than Social Security we also contribute above and beyond the normal taxed percentages of Social Security. The taxes are tier 1 and tier 2 and all railroaders that pay into the railroad retirement system pay into these. Checking a old BA6 I had contributed $69000 into the system so far in my career. Far more than I would have to social security. IF you are lucky enough to have a job that pays well enough to meet the requirements of said taxes at some point during the year you get to keep a little extra in your pocket.
The issue you need to make the following to pay off.
Tier 1 $147000
Tier 2 $109200
These taxes along with everything else go up every year. Back in the day to pay off your tier 2 was fairly easy not so much any more. Tier 1 better have some really good seniority and be willing to work a lot. Like no social life a lot.
Time off, you need to start your 24th to get to 5 weeks vacation. Of which you can break 2 to 3 down into single days depending on your agreement. But what if the carrier doesn't allow you to use the two to three weeks for single days for say your kids birthday a wedding a funeral take your pick.
Then again if its so great then why are folks with 20+ plus years leaving???
Now we go onto to the really fun parts of railroading attendance policies:
https://www.railwayage.com/freight/clas ... ce-policy/
https://ble-t.com/resc/pdf_tey_attendance_072821.pdf
Those are just two, they are all pretty much points based you loose points faster than you can get them back. Out with your wife checked the system one train showing with 15 people in front of you got nothing to worry about, right?? Take a sip of that adult beverage ring goes the cell its the railroad we have train XYZ at 1930H. You dont take the call cause you have had a drink. Miss call 10 points of your 30. Take some time a do a little research on the web. Plenty of ex railroaders without an axe to grind who are sharing their experiences for folks who want to start a career on the rails.
Best one Ive heard yet and this came directly from a local chair. Those inward facing cameras that are or were going to be used for safety and in case of investigation only. SURE. Just watched a video last night how railroads are now using the cameras to snoop on crews while they are stopped. To the point of pulling people out of service for a texts they sent. Guess they can use their phones when they are stopped and not preforming duty of any kind.
So once again eolesen I say to your kid at your local grocery store get treated better.