BMWE Lodge 1302

17/10/2026

TODAY!

Lodge 1302 will have their meeting today, Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 am, at the Graves Hume Public Library in Mendota. This is a special meeting, and we will be conducting election of lodge officers. Please plan to attend, and share this information with other members.

17/10/2026

From the office of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

https://www.rrb.gov/Newsroom/NewsReleases/RetirementBenefitsIncrease2027

"Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2027 based on a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2025 to the corresponding period of the current year.

Cost-of-living increases are calculated in both the tier I and tier II portions of a railroad retirement annuity. The tier I portion, like social security benefits, will increase by 3.6 percent, which is the percentage of the CPI rise.

The tier II portion will go up by 1.2 percent, which is 32.5 percent of the CPI increase. Vested dual benefit payments and supplemental annuities also paid by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) are not adjusted for the CPI change.

This follows a 2.8 percent increase in the tier I portion and a 0.9 percent increase in the tier II portion of railroad retirement annuities in January 2026.

In January 2027, the average regular railroad retirement employee annuity will increase $106 a month to $3,761 and the average of combined annuities for an employee and spouse will increase $149 a month to $5,407. For those aged widow(er)s eligible for an increase, the average annuity will increase $67 a month to $2,218.

Widow(er)s whose annuities are being paid under the Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2001 will not receive annual cost-of-living adjustments until their annuity amount is exceeded by the amount that would have been paid under prior law, counting all interim cost-of-living increases otherwise payable. Almost 29 percent of the widow(er)s on the RRB’s rolls are being paid under the 2001 law.

If a railroad retirement or survivor annuitant also receives a social security benefit, any cost-of-living increase in that benefit will offset the increased tier I amount.

In late December the RRB will mail notices to all annuitants providing a breakdown of the annuity rates payable to them in January 2027. These letters can also be used throughout the year to confirm eligibility for various income-based government programs."

13/10/2026

If you would like to be more involved and active in the union and its processes, or if you are interested in becoming an officer, or have more questions about how to become more involved, please come this Saturday. REMINDER: The next union meeting for lodge 1302 will be on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 am, at the Graves Hume Public Library in Mendota. This is a special meeting, and we will be conducting election of lodge officers. Please plan to attend, and share this information with other members.

06/10/2026

Keep this in mind if you are using ear buds anytime at work. It’s not a safe practice for yourself and your co-workers around you.

⚠ Maintenance of Way work is performed in high hazard environments where conditions can change in seconds and must be treated accordingly. Rail workers need to be able to hear warnings and communicate clearly with their fellow Brothers and Sisters on the tracks. Personal earbuds and headphones have no place on an active railroad where people are working around approaching trains, roadway maintenance machines and other heavy equipment.

The BMWED is concerned by reports from FRA personnel that the use of earbuds is becoming more common in the field, including among workers performing watchman/lookout duties. This practice puts not only the worker wearing the earbuds at risk, but more importantly, the Brothers and Sisters relying on them for vital protection. It presents an obvious and unacceptable safety risk.

Rail workers cannot afford unnecessary distractions or anything that could interfere with their hearing or situational awareness. When you are assigned to protect others, the consequences extend beyond your own safety. Be your brother’s keeper, do not wear earbuds at on the job. 🚨

30/09/2026

REMINDER: The next union meeting for lodge 1302 will be on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 am, at the Graves Hume Public Library in Mendota. This is a special meeting, and we will be conducting election of lodge officers. Please plan to attend, and share this information with other members.

17/09/2026

The next union meeting for lodge 1302 will be on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 am, at the Graves Hume Public Library in Mendota. This is a special meeting, and we will be conducting election of lodge officers. Please plan to attend, and share this information with other members.

03/09/2026

On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, John Mozinski began his term as BMWED VP for the Northwest region. This is the newsletter sent by VP Mozinski to keep members informed on what is happening in the NW region.

03/09/2026

John Grafford was in a terrible auto accident. He will remain hospitalized for an extended period of time. This meal train has been set up to assist the family with meals so that Dana and John can fully focus on John’s recovery. Any cash donations will be given directly to the family for daily liv...

31/08/2026

Congratulations and best wishes to Sister Staci!

The retirement of Sister Staci Moody-Gilbert is a monumental one for our Brotherhood. Today marks not only Sister Staci’s last day as Vice President of the Northwest Region but brings to a close a trailblazing career which began 33-years-ago as a track laborer on the Burlington Northern railroad.

Sister Staci is the first female National Division Vice President, as well as the first female General Chairperson of any BMWED system federation. Her resolve to serve our Union began at the local level, when she was first elected Secretary-Treasurer of Burlington System Division Local Lodge 1214.

Since then, Staci has charted a path no other woman in our Brotherhood’s storied history has ever achieved, though that accolade was never her primary goal. Sister Staci has only been guided by a steadfast determination to empower all railroaders, fight for the rights of all members, strengthen contracts, improve wages and fight daily to raise the quality of life for all our brothers and sisters nationwide.

“I can tell you on a personal level, there’s things about Staci I could go on for hours about,” BMWED President Tony Cardwell said. “She’s one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met. She cares about every one of you. She’s always willing to listen and hear from you. She brings your voice to the discussion, making sure we always heard from the people that she speaks for and wanted represented well.”

Brother George Loveland succeeded Staci as BSD General Chairperson following her election to BMWED Vice President in 2022.

“I am proud to call Staci my Union Sister and personal friend,” Brother George said. “Her leadership with our system strengthened our stature with the railroad and energized our members. She was a remarkable leader and her legacy will always be felt in the BSD.”

Among the top of her long list of accomplishments are a few achievements that hold special meaning for Sister Staci. A Navy veteran herself, Staci started the Brotherhood’s Armend Forces Council. She spearheaded that project, building it from the ground up, to acknowledge and promote the values, skills, knowledge, and sacrifices that BMWED service members contribute to the United States and the railroad industry.

She also has been heavily involved in the BMWED Committee on Diversity, working as an advisor and leading many special projects with the group, including an annual Habitat for Humanity project.

It is with great admiration and respect for a well-led career that we all collectively salute a true trailblazer – a leader that will forever hold a special place in the history of our cherished Brotherhood. Sister Staci Moody-Gilbert, we wish you the healthiest and most fulfilling retirement. Our many thanks go out to you and your family today and always and we will always be grateful for the many accomplishments you have provided the BMWED. You are Union Strong!

Please join the entirety of the BMWED in wishing Sister Staci a long and well-deserved retirement!

23/07/2026

REMINDER: Local Lodge meeting is this Saturday, July 25th, starting at 10 am. The location is Briar Knoll, 1502 Briar Knoll Rd, Amboy, IL. Aside from the meeting, there will be a picnic and trap shoot. Food and prizes will be provided. Please pass the word to any brothers who might not have Facebook. Comment below, or contact Greg or Kenny with any questions.