How long do I need to work to qualify for railroad retirement?
ANSWER: In order to be eligible for benefits through the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you are required to have a minimum of 5 years of employment with a railroad. Additional information about qualifying for these benefits can be found on the official website of the RRB at rrb.gov.
How much vacation do I receive?
ANSWER: Train Service employees are eligible for vacation after 150 qualifying calendar days in yard service or 180 qualifying days road service to qualify for vacation the succeeding year. All other craft positions qualify after 1 qualifying year and 120 days worked in the previous year. The vacation schedule is as follows:
- 1 year = 1 week
- 2 years = 2 weeks
- 8 years = 3 weeks
- 17 years = 4 weeks
- 25 years = 5 weeks
Vacation scheduling is determined by seniority.
Tell me more about the medical insurance.
ANSWER: The specific insurance provider for your healthcare coverage will be determined by the terms outlined in your collective bargaining agreement. This information will only be finalized once you have accepted a job offer and your work location has been assigned.
Upon accepting the job offer, you will receive an email containing a new hire brochure that will provide detailed information about your healthcare benefits. The cost of your health insurance will be approximately $309 per month, which covers both your spouse and dependents. You may enroll in the Health Care Flexible Spending Account during annual enrollment, effective the year after your hire date.
You will become eligible for healthcare coverage starting on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which you begin working at Union Pacific after working 7 starts or if you meet the Opportunity Rule during the month in which you were hired. For instance, if you start on June 15th and work for 7 days, your coverage will begin on July 1st. However, if you start on June 15th and you do not have 7 compensated days for the month, as long as you do not have any unexcused absences in June, you will qualify for coverage on July 1st due to the Opportunity Rule. Within 4-6 weeks after your start date, you can expect to receive relevant information from the insurance administration regarding your coverage.
When does my dental and vision start?
ANSWER: Dental and vision benefits for you and your eligible dependents begin on the first day of the month following one year of service. You may enroll in the Health Care Flexible Spending Account during annual enrollment, effective the year after your hire date. For instance, if your hire date is April 19th, 2022, the earliest date your dental and vision coverage would commence would be May 1st, 2023.
Would I be eligible for parental leave?
ANSWER: Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employees at Union Pacific are entitled to take up to 2 weeks of unpaid bonding leave. In order to be eligible for this type of leave, you must meet the following requirements. These criteria ensure that employees who have demonstrated a certain level of service and commitment to the company are eligible for bonding leave.
- Have been employed with Union Pacific for at least 12 months.
- Have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding the start of the leave.
How much are my union dues?
ANSWER: The amount of union dues you are required to pay will depend on the specific union you are joining.
How is seniority determined?
ANSWER: This will vary by craft and location. Here are some ways it is determined.
- Last day of class + last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
- Last day of class + day of birth
- First day of class + day of birth
When does seniority start accruing?
ANSWER: At Union Pacific, seniority starts accumulating on the first day of training. This means that as soon as you begin training, you start building seniority, which will impact important aspects of your employment, including job assignments, promotions, shift bidding, and other benefits based on seniority.
When can I start exercising my seniority?
ANSWER: Once you complete your new hire training class and become active in the workforce, you can start utilizing your seniority. This means that you can begin exercising the benefits and privileges associated with your accumulated seniority.
Is it possible that I will be furloughed?
ANSWER: Union Pacific may implement temporary furloughs in certain economic or business situations. It is important to understand that furloughs are different from layoffs and are intended to be temporary. When business conditions improve, Union Pacific will recall employees based on their seniority. It is worth noting that the extent of furloughs may vary across different locations based on specific business requirements.
How long does my insurance last if I get furloughed?
ANSWER: Craft professional employees who are furloughed at Union Pacific are eligible for four months of continued health and welfare benefits, which include medical, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and life insurance coverage. The eligibility criteria for this continuation of benefits are as follows:
- The employee must have completed three months of compensated service.
- If the employee is not currently enrolled in the National Plan at the time of furlough, the continuation of benefits will start from the month following the month of furlough and will last for four months from the last month in which compensated service was rendered.
- These criteria ensure that craft professional employees who meet the specified service requirements receive continued health and welfare benefits during their furlough period.
For further benefits information, please visit our benefits page.