Brotherhood's Relief and Compensation Fund
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The good news is that the BR&CF continues to maintain its reputation among railroad employees as the very best choice for job income protection for eligible occurrences. It is protection that is needed today...
In this issue:
The good news is that the BR&CF continues to maintain
its reputation among railroad employees as the very best
choice for job income protection for eligible
occurrences. It is protection that is needed today more
than at any other time in the railroad industry.
Over the last 33 months the carriers have assessed our
members discipline at record high levels. Through these
tough times we have remained committed to providing our
members “Held Out of Service” benefits without
compromise. We stand by railroad workers employed on
high discipline railroads.
The members I speak with realize that excessive
discipline is being assessed by the carriers and
frequently ask, “When will the dues increase?”
We have not increased the dues to benefit ratio in over
50 years. However, the financial difficulties
experienced by our members has resulted in the Fund
returning every nickel received in dues, and more, to
members in “Held Out of Service” and “Retirement”
benefits. Over the last 33 months, the Fund has provided
approximately 29.5 million dollars to dismissed and
suspended members. Another 3.5 million was provided in
“Retirement” benefits. That means an average of a
million dollars a month has been provided to our
members.
Since a dues increase is viewed as the last course of
action to remedy the problem of excessive discipline, we
took measures to reduce operating costs to counteract
the negative impact of the harsh discipline. It has
proven not to be enough. After fighting the carriers’
attack on our members for as long as possible, analyzing
all the data, and crunching numbers, the conclusion was
inescapable. There is no alternative.
With great reluctance we are compelled to implement a
dues increase applicable to October 2008 and subsequent
months. The new dues rate will be $4.50 for every $10
dollar increment in daily “Held Out of Service”
benefits. The BR&CF administrative adjustments required
to facilitate this change are described in greater
detail on page two of this newsletter. For example,
members who choose to remit dues by payroll deduction
will see the deduction for October’s dues deducted from
their paycheck prior to October because of the
processing period required to deduct and remit those
dues to the Principal Office.
A revised copy of the Constitution with the revisions to
the dues rate and structure will be sent to each member
in September. Watch your mail box.
We continue to provide you job income protection at a
cost that remains substantially lower than our leading
competitors who may offer comparable benefits. The BR&CF
remains the very best choice for your job income
protection.
J. M. Robb
International President
Saturday,
April 26, 2008, was a special day at the BR&CF office in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when officers, directors and
members gathered for the Annual Meeting.
After weeks of preparation, which included mailing
proxies to all of our members, and recording the
completed proxies when they were returned to us, the
Annual Meeting was conducted as scheduled.
One of the highlights was the presentation of a plaque
to Michael A. Smith, Terminal 125, who was honored as
the Top Obtainer and Top New Obtainer for the year 2007.
Brother Smith traveled with his wife from North Platte,
Nebraska, to participate in the Meeting.
In spite of there being no offices up for election, the
turnout was good. In addition to officers and board
members, a number of BR&CF members from across the
United States were in attendance. You may recognize some
of their names: Robert L. Anderson, Toledo, OH; Jack C.
Garner, Harrisburg, PA; Jerry R. Hawkins, Memphis, TN;
Gene E. Imler, Harrisburg, PA; Kenneth N. Kroeger,
Tucson, AZ; Daniel J. Lauzon, Boston, MA; M. A. Smith,
North Platte, NE; Howard “Jim” Weith, Toledo, OH; Kim W.
Weaver, Ft. Madison, IA; Roger A. Weith, Toledo, OH;
and, K. R. Williams, Dupo, IL.
If you would like to see photos of those present at the
Annual Meeting you may visit our website at www.brcf.org
and go to the members only area.
Thank you to everyone who traveled to Harrisburg to take
part in the Annual Meeting. We would also like to thank
all those who took the time to complete and return their
proxies. Your interest and participation was crucial to
the success of the Meeting, as a quorum of the entire
membership must be reached before the meeting can be
conducted.
Membership - Effective October 1, 2008
| Benefits per day | Dues: 1 Month |
Dues: 6 Months Pay for 6 month at one time and save 5% |
Dues: 12 Months Pay entire year and save 5% |
|
$200.00 |
$90.00 |
$513.00 |
$918.00 |
|
$180.00 |
$81.00 |
$461.70 |
$826.20 |
|
$150.00 |
$67.50 |
$384.75 |
$688.50 |
|
$120.00 |
$54.00 | $307.80 | $550.80 |
| $100.00 | $45.00 | $256.50 | $459.00 |
| $ 80.00 | $36.00 | $205.20 | $367.20 |
Benefit Days - Effective October 1, 2007
|
After a continuous beneficial membership of: |
Days of Eligibility: |
|
|
A. |
Less than 24 months |
150 |
|
B. |
24 months but less than 48 | 180 |
| C. | 48 months but less than 60 | 250 |
|
D. |
60 months or more |
365 |
Some of our members will
recall this photograph of the
107 year old depot at Marlinton,
West Virginia. The photo was
submitted by Dale Diacont and
reproduced in the 2007 BR&CF
wall calendar.
We’ve learned from Brother
Diacont that the depot was
destroyed by fire early in the
morning of March 28, 2008.
Listed on the National Register
of Historic Sites in 1979, the
former Chesapeake and Ohio depot
was painted in the traditional
yellow with white trim, and was
a masterpiece in builders’
craftsmanship from a century
ago. It was the only existing
depot that had its original
furniture – all destroyed by the
fire.
Marlinton served as the seat of
government for surrounding
Pocohantas County and was
reached by rail in 1901 by C&O
predecessor West Virginia and
Pittsburgh. Regularly scheduled
rail service ended in 1977 and
the entire 77 mile right-of-way
eventually became the Greenbriar
Bicycle Trail.
As technology advances, we find that more and more members are providing e-mail addresses so that they can more speedily receive communications from the BR&CF. However, we are encountering increasing occurrences of our e-mailed correspondence being blocked. This can be prevented if you will simply set up your e-mail options to accept e-mail from brcf.org.
Applications will become available for the 2009 Luther G. Smith Scholarship Program on October 1, 2008. Mark your calendars now so you don’t forget to request an application for your child. Recipients will be awarded $1,000 for the school year 2009-2010. Follow the guidelines in the cut and save reference guide printed below and have your child submit an application no later than the deadline of March 2, 2009.
Luther G. Smith scholarship program "CLIP AND SAVE" reference guide:
Eligibility Requirements:
Obtaining an Application Form:
Completion and Submission of the Application Form:
Application Deadline:
Announcement of Scholarship Winners and Issuance of Checks:
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 Luther G. Smith Scholarship awards. Each winner will receive a $1,000 award for the 2008-2009 school term. You will be inspired when you read about their accomplishments and educational aspirations on the following pages. As always, the competition was tough, as many applicants managed to earn outstanding grades, while balancing part-time jobs, extra-curricular activities and community service.
This year we welcomed back the same Scholarship
Committee as we have had in previous years: Gary
Dolbin, retired Supervisor of Cooperative Education,
Dauphin County Technical School; Christel L. Ertel,
former Dean of Admissions, Roger Williams
University, who is presently a stay-at-home mother;
and, Donald Holtzman, Senior Director of Student
Life and Enrollment Services, Penn State Harrisburg,
777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057-4898.
Correspondence for Mr. Dolbin and Ms. Ertel may be
sent in care of the BR&CF, 2150 Linglestown Road,
Harrisburg, PA 17110.
In reviewing the applications, we were impressed
with the number of students who have committed
themselves to acquiring a higher education. From
these dedicated young students will come tomorrow’s
leaders. We are proud of their accomplishments and
extend our congratulations to all who participated.
This fall Ross will be attending the University
of Alberta, a pre-pharmacy program, leading to a
career as a community pharmacist.
Ross was an honors high school student who plays
underwater hockey, performed in school plays, and
helped lead his swim team to City Champs for the
past three years. His volunteer activities include
being a planetarium gallery guide and an elder care
volunteer. Recently certified as a lifeguard, he
hopes to spend the summer in the water.
His mother, Donna, is a bookkeeper with Alliance Realty and his father, Robert, is a locomotive engineer employed by Canadian National.
After completing her Associates at Kaskaskia
College, Linny plans to transfer to SIU –
Edwardsville where she will pursue a career in
advertising with an emphasis on graphic design.
Linny is a 2007 graduate of Salem Community High
School. During the summer she is employed at the
Salem City Pool. She also babysits her nephew. She
has served as a communion steward for her church for
over ten years. She loves art and enjoys working
with all types of media. In her free time she likes
being with family and friends.
Linny’s father, David, is a brakeman/conductor with
the Union Pacific Railroad and her mother, June, is
a homemaker.
Mylene is studying fashion marketing in hopes of
finding a job as a buyer for an important company
such as Holt Renfrew. She enjoys traveling and
discovering new cultures and traditions. She is also
interested in politics and social problems.
After finishing her first year of college, Mylene
realized that the marketing aspect of business is
what she is looking forward to in her career. After
graduating, she would like to attend a University
where she will acquire a background in
administration, which will help her to start her own
company.
Her mother, Francine, is a former legal secretary
who was at one time employed by the Government of
Quebec and her father, Mario, is employed by CP Rail
as a conductor.
Throughout high school, Karissa was involved in
many activities. She was a cheerleader all four
years, devoting much of her time to that interest,
and was involved in organizations such as Kayettes,
SADD, NHS, and FBLA. She has held a position as a
front desk associate at a local hotel for the past
one and a half years. In her free time she enjoys
hanging out with friends, scrapbooking, surfing the
internet and spending time and playing games with
her family.
Karissa plans to obtain an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in general business. She hopes to
someday have a career either in the banking field or
as an administrative assistant. She would also like
to become a cheerleading coach or sponsor for a high
school cheerleading squad.
Her father, David, is a locomotive engineer working
with the Union Pacific Railroad and her mother,
Nanci, is a teller at United Bank and Trust.
Claire is majoring in psychology at SUNY
Brockport with a minor in mathematics. Her goal is
to obtain a doctorate in experimental psychology.
She is a member and secretary of the Honors Club
Board at college and the secretary and treasurer of
the Psychology Club, which she helped to establish.
She was honored by being chosen to participate as a
research assistant in the comparative psychology
lab.
Her father, Mark, is a train dispatcher for CSX and
her mother, Karen, is a mail carrier for the U. S.
Post Office.
Lisa hopes to complete her Bachelors Degree in
business administration in the summer of 2009. She
is looking forward to working at her summer job as
an assistant retail manager for the Theodore
Roosevelt Medora Foundation and later finding
something permanent in a managerial position or in
some sector of tourism.
A favorite pastime outside of work is the piano.
Lisa’s greatest interest is her family, her support
system and the most important people in the world to
her.
Lisa’s father, Barry, is employed by the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railway as a locomotive engineer
and her mother, Marilyn, is a para-educator with
Dawson County High School.
Hannah’s plans are to attend Winthrop University
in the fall and pursue a B.S. Degree in secondary
math education, followed by a Masters Degree in
administration. Eventually she would like to return
to her hometown and teach at the local high school.
She was a member of numerous clubs and activities in
High School and served as Senior Class President as
well as Interact Club President. Hannah was chosen
Palmetto Girls State delegate, E.B. Kennedy Scholar,
Coker Scholar, Newberry Scholar, and was invited to
attend the Global Young Leader Conference in
Washington, D.C.
She is an active member of her church, has
volunteered with various community service projects
and is a mentor at the local elementary school.
Her mother, Vickey, is a homemaker and her father,
Tony, is employed by CSX Railroad as a conductor.
Erin has been active as a mentor in the Honors
Program at Indiana University. She has supported and
volunteered at the Humane Society and the Animal
Protective Association. Outside of school, she is
interested in sports and music.
Erin will graduate from Indiana University with a
B.S. in biology and a minor in chemistry and
business. She is hoping to attend the University of
Missouri at Columbia’s veterinarian school, where
she will specialize in felines. Her goal is to one
day open her own practice.
Her mother, Marilyn, is a counselor at Parkway
Schools and her father, Douglas, is a switchman
employed by the Union Pacific Railroad.
Alaina’s main focus has always been her education. She has worked hard so that she can receive an IB diploma. She enjoys tutoring and mentoring her fellow students. Her favorite activities include reading, spending time with friends and family, and taking ballet classes.
Alaina has always loved to read, which is why she
decided to attend New York University in hopes of
receiving an education in publishing. Her dream job
would be an editorial position with HarperCollins.
Her father, Jay, is a locomotive engineer working
for the BNSF and her mother, JoMarie, is a teacher
in the Raytown School District.
Christopher plans to attend Western Illinois
University for two years and then transfer to the
University of Illinois to complete his degree in
civil engineering.
In high school he was very active and received
numerous honors. He was an Illinois State Scholar,
co-president of the National Honor Society, member
of the SAA, and captain of the Math Team. He was a
drum major in marching band and participated in wind
symphony, pep band, jazz band and concert band. He
enjoys theater and has participated in various
plays. He is also involved in Spanish Club and WYSE,
and in his spare time he enjoys video games and
frisbee golf.
Christopher’s mother, Cindy, does part-time desk
work at the YMCA. His father, Rick, is a locomotive
engineer with the BNSF Railroad.
Brandon’s primary future goal is to work in the
medical field, which he feels will be a rewarding
and self-fulfilling career. He plans to attend
Montana State University to study pre-medicine.
He has a deep passion for athletics and participates
in many sports activities. His hobbies include
weightlifting, playing on a volleyball team, a
wallyball league and a racquetball league. He also
plays on a fastbreak basketball team and played at
the Montana State Games last summer, taking second
place in the men’s elite division. He is currently
employed at Black Bridge Fitness Center. He is vice
president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, is
involved in chamber choir and participates in many
fundraisers for the less fortunate of the community.
Brandon’s mother, Mary, is a homemaker and his
father, Alan, is employed by the BNSF as a
locomotive engineer.
Although she is indecisive when it comes to what
she wants to study, Cecily has narrowed down the
wide range of college studies to mass communications
and media studies or graphic design and
advertisement. She is also interested in the
complete opposite field of anthropology and
archaeology.
Cecily has been playing tennis for about six years
and was on the Loudoun Valley High School Tennis
Team for four. She also ran cross country for three
years for LVHS. She has done lots of volunteer work
and was involved in organizing activities for NHS
and Key Club at her school. She is currently working
at Lovettsville Pizza & Subs.
Cicily’s mother, Nevella, is a testing clerk at the
Loudoun County Public Schools and her father,
Richard, is a locomotive engineer with CSX
Transportation, Inc.
Rhianna will be attending the University of San
Diego to study accounting and fine arts. She hopes
to become a leader in the university’s student
government program and to eventually study abroad in
Italy.
In high school, Rhianna participated in student
government, the ASB Executive Board, the Elections
Committee as chair and the National Honor Society as
vice president. She was involved in varsity soccer
and tennis and is a volunteer with the Harborview
Medical Center. Additionally, she is a Foursquare
Church Youth leader and raised $1,200 for the
Starlight Starbright Foundation.
Rhianna’s father, Jeff, is a manager with Union
Pacific Railroad and her mother, Karen, is employed
by the University of Puget Sound as an
administrative assistant.
For the next two years, Michelle plans to attend
Orange Coast College in an effort to transfer to the
University of California, Los Angeles. Majoring in
international relations with a focus on photography,
she plans to travel across the world, possibly
working for a magazine or advertising campaign. She
also has an interest in becoming a registered nurse
and working with a non-governmental organization
like Doctors Without Borders.
At Huntington Beach High School, she has been on the
girls’ volleyball team, as well as the track and
field team. She was part of the high school’s model
United Nations, The Legacy, for four years and has
had the privilege of traveling to Boston, Berkeley
and Paris, France, through the program.
Michelle’s mother, Gloria, is in Merchandise/Retail
at Disneyland Resort and her father, Alan, is a
locomotive engineer employed by the Union Pacific
Railroad.
After having taken AP biology in her junior year
in high school and falling in love with the subject,
especially microbiology, Kellie will continue her
studies majoring in biology and research. She hopes
to one day help many people by curing diseases and
saving lives.
Kellie maintained a 4.0 cumulative GPA while being
involved in school activities such as volleyball and
basketball. She was a member of Key Club and
participated in the Read and Lead program, reading
with local elementary students. In addition to
coaching middle school volleyball and tutoring a
trigonometry student, she is also involved with her
church.
Kellie’s mother, Sandra, is a homemaker and her
father, Michael, is employed by the BNSF Railway as
a locomotive engineer.
In high school, Alicia was a Who’s Who Among
American High School Students honoree. She also
participated in many activities including Letter
Club, FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, FCA and the National Honor
Society. She was a Kiwanis Honor Banquet honoree for
four years and participated in tennis, basketball
and track. She was involved in Big Brothers/Big
Sisters and Catholic Youth Group. She enjoys
exercising, KU sports and hanging out with her
friends.
Alicia plans to attend the University of Kansas and
major in exercise science with the intent of
becoming a physical therapist.
Her father, Michael, is a locomotive engineer with
the Union Pacific Railroad and her mother, Cynthia,
is an English teacher with USD 364.
Brittany aspires to have her own physical therapy
clinic and to later return to school to attain her
Ph.D. in physical therapy so that she might teach
future physical therapists.
She has been the treasurer and member of a community
service club on her campus. She has taught labs at
her university, which opened her eyes to the joys of
teaching. In her free time, she enjoys cooking,
knitting, crocheting, reading and camping.
Brittany’s father, Troy, works for the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railroad as a locomotive engineer
and her mother, Tami, is a registered nurse with
Kaiser Permanente.
Phillip plans to attend the University of Kansas
and major in physical education with a minor in
another form of education that is, as yet,
undecided. He wants to return to Marysville and
teach his young cousins, as well as give back to the
community he loved and in which he grew up.
He is a very energetic person who is enthusiastic
about sports. He particularly enjoys hanging out
with friends and playing basketball. He is very
involved in St. Gregory’s Youth Group and is strong
in his faith. Phillip is employed at PizzaGo where
he has worked for two years.
His father, Michael, is a foreman employed by the
Union Pacific Railroad and his mother, Phyllis, is a
pharmacy assistant with Community Memorial
Healthcare.
In the fall, Davian will be attending UC Merced,
where he plans to major in political science. After
receiving his Bachelors, the next step in his career
will be law school. Ultimately, he aims to become a
criminal prosecutor.
Davian was a defense attorney for his school’s Mock
Trial Team. He was a member of Link Crew, a club
that aims to help freshmen adapt to high school
life. Aside from these activities, he also enjoys
drama. He played Dr. Emmett in “The Curious Savage”
and was the lighting director for “Romeo and
Juliet.”
His mother, Carol, is a homemaker and his father,
Kevin, is employed by the BNSF Railway as a
locomotive engineer.
Blake’s main career goal is to one day be a
neonatologist or a neonatal nurse practitioner.
Consequently, she is majoring in nursing and plans
to go to graduate school.
She attended Park High School in Cottage Grove,
Minnesota, and works at Ruby Tuesdays. She is
involved in a mentorship in the NICU at the
University of Minnesota with one of their
neonatologists. Her activities include the National
Honor Society and volunteering at St. Joseph’s
Hospital. Other interests include playing soccer,
playing the piano, reading, and just hanging out
with friends.
Blake’s mother, Lisa, is employed by St. Joseph’s
Hospital as a registered nurse and her father,
Patrick, is a conductor with the Union Pacific
Railroad.
When you contact our office, whether by telephone, letter or e-mail, it is helpful if you provide your member number or Social Security number. This enables us to access your records and handle your calls and correspondence more expediently. Your member number can be found on the address label of this newsletter.
One of BR&CF’s finest has
decided to embark on a new
chapter in her life . . .
retirement. Norann Kauffman,
Executive Secretary and friend,
retired in May after 16 years of
service to the Brotherhood. Her
organizational skills,
professionalism and sharp wit
were appreciated and will be
missed by everyone here at the
office.
Her immediate plans are to head
to “the beach” to bask in the
sun’s rays and unwind, visit
family and friends and simply
enjoy the freedom of not having
to be anywhere at 8:00 a.m. The
future includes splitting her
time between the seaside and
Pennsylvania. This year she will
“open the pool” to host a family
get-together at her cabin in the
mountains and also participate
in community service by
assisting neighbors in need. One
of her passions is doing arts
and crafts projects. She has
quite a talent for painting and
will now have the time to devote
to this hobby.
We wish her heartfelt
congratulations and all the very
best in the years ahead.
The BR&CF continues to be your best value!