December 21, 2001
WASHINGTON (Dec. 21)–President Bush signed the Railroad Retirement and Improvement Act of 2001 at 5:45 p.m. this afternoon, bringing to a close a two-year campaign by the railroad brotherhoods and the rail carriers to put Railroad Retirement funding on a sounder financial basis and to increase benefits to retirees and their survivors.
The new law will take effect January 1.
In Chicago, UTU Illinois Legislative Director Joseph C. Szabo announced he has completed arrangements for an informational meeting at which members of the rail brotherhoods can learn the details of their new benefits directly from staff members of the Railroad Retirement Board and United Health Care.
“The meeting will be held Wednesday, January 16th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall at 600 W. Washington in downtown Chicago,” Szabo said. “This location is one block west of the Ogilvie Transportation Center, formerly known as North Western Station, and a three-block walk from Union Station.”
Szabo said that although the meeting is sponsored by the UTU, members of all crafts covered by Railroad Retirement are invited to attend and to ask any questions they may have about the increased benefits and coverage available under the new law. Invitees include active employees, retirees and surviving beneficiaries.
