Transportation News

Visit the digital archive of the SMART-TD News (PDFs)

Union Leadership Meets with New N.S. Trainees in McDonough, Georgia

“You’ve got a career ahead of you and right now, your focus should be on learning how to stay safe doing it. We’ve helped make sure you’ve got jobs for life — now it’s up to you to make sure you’re not cutting that life short,” President Jeremy Ferguson said during an impromptu visit with nearly 100 Norfolk Southern trainees in McDonough, Georgia. Read on to see how the surprise visit from several union executives inspired confidence in the job security and safety improvements delivered by SMART-TD’s “Jobs for Life” agreement.

CSX Asks to keep Safety Reports out of the Crew Rooms, Injuries are Up, Fatalities Continue, and Transparency is Down

CSX was granted a waiver in 2020 on the condition they would ensure easy access to accident and injury reports with their employees. They didn’t. They haven’t. And they had five years to get it right.  Now they want another 5-year pass to keep these reports buried in an electronic system that, as every railroader already knows, most crew members cannot easily access while on duty. Read on to see how, with our members’ help, SMART-TD shared the real story about CSX safety culture with the FRA.

WE WILL NOT “SHUT THE  !#*$ UP AND DRIVE”!

SMART-TD Sister Nydia Sandoval was brutally assaulted while protecting her passengers from a violent attacker on her Big Blue Bus route. Read on to see how Sister Sandoval’s bravery, the swift response of law enforcement, and the unwavering solidarity of her union are sending a clear message that transit worker assaults will never be tolerated.

Semi Crushes Member in Decatur, Ill.

SMART-TD is asking all members to rally to support Brother Drew Morris, a conductor for Canadian National Railroad out of Local 453 (Clinton, IL), who was critically injured by a semi-truck that tried to race his train. Read on for details and how you can help

Long-time Union Ally Mikie Sherrill Runs for New Jersey Governor 

If you work in New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill has earned your consideration in the upcoming election. Her voting record and active labor outreach have helped our union countless times in the past. Read on to see how she shows up for SMART and SMART-TD in Washington, and how this will continue if she is elected to lead in New Jersey.

FRA Suspends Safety Reports due to Government Shutdown

While not completely closed, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is no longer processing new Violation Reports until the government shutdown ends. This puts the safety of both rail workers and the public at risk. Read on to learn how this impacts the thousands of reports that are typically submitted each year.

SMART-TD to Port Terminal Railroad Association: Your Harassment Stops Now.

SMART-TD Alternate Vice President Chris Bartz issued a direct and unequivocal warning to management of the Port Terminal Railroad Association (PTRA): the ongoing disregard for your union agreements, safety obligations, and basic respect for your workforce will not be tolerated. Read on for details about the ongoing harassment and hostility we have been fighting alongside our PTRA brothers and sisters.