In recent weeks BMWED members joined other rail union members and allies in persuading Senators Portman (R) and Klobuchar (D) to fix our unfairly reduced unemployment benefits. Portman and Klobuchar just co-authored U.S. Senate Bill 4860 – they need other Senators to co-sponsor the bill to ensure its passage this year. 

This is our opportunity to get our RRB unemployment benefits back to 100%.  Since the 2012 Sequester, they’ve been cut – currently by 5.7%.   

Please call your 2 Senators today and demand they fully restore our unemployment benefits! 

(202) 224-3121

Here is a script you can use when you call both of your Senators (you’ll probably get voicemail or a staffer): 

“Hello - My name is [YOUR NAME]and I live in [city & state]. I am a union railroader, and I'm calling to urge you to co-sponsor and support Senate Bill 4860 – The Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness Act (REEF Act) – during the lame duck session.  If we get laid-off our families will need fully restored unemployment benefits, which were cut in 2012 by Sequestration and never made whole.  No other unemployment benefit in the United States has this kind of cut.  It’s simply unfair that railroaders have to suffer this way.  Please do the right thing, co-sponsor and support the REEF Act today – thank you.”