General President Joseph Sellers Jr. recently met with SMART TD general chairpersons at the SMART TD Western General Chairperson’s Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
Click here to watch a video of GP Sellers addressing the issues SMART TD members face.
Author: amyr
BISMARCK, N.D. — The Planning and Rail Section of the North Dakota DOT (NDDOT) has a draft rail plan that they believe will grow freight rail in the state.
The plan focuses on crossing safety, safe transportation of HazMat, passenger rail service and improvements to infrastructure. The NDDOT is seeking comments from the public and industry on the plan.
Click here to read more from INFORUM.
Click here to read the draft rail plan and to leave comments.
In an article published June 5 on Resilience.org, activist Bill Moyer outlined his case for investment in high speed electric rail, and is leading an effort in his home state of Washington to lobby for this mode of transportation that has existed in Europe and Asia for decades, and had widespread use in the U.S. until the mid-twentieth century. Moyer is part of a growing American majority who believe that investing in renewable energy sources to ‘move’ our country forward will pay major dividends in the way of new jobs, cost savings, operations efficiency and a cleaner environment. Click here to read the complete article.
According to a story by The Spokesman-Review, bus operators employed by the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) in Spokane, Wash., have seen an increase of assaults by riders.
According to the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1015, which represents the STA operators, there’s been seven incidents since December. Bus operators have reported multiple cases of verbal abuse, physical abuse, spitting and threats.
Click here to read more from The Spokesman-Review.
Over the past couple of years, SMART TD has been trying to help bus operators mitigate assaults by providing training at regional meetings on how to de-escalate conflicts. SMART TD has also been lobbying for stricter laws to protect all bus operators from assault.
In a June 1, 2017 article written by Rosemary Eng for North Star News Today, Edwina Justus offers a personal account of what it was like for a black woman to begin work on the American railroad during the 1970’s, when the railroad industry, like most industries in America, was predominantly white and predominantly male.
Despite facing adversity at every bend, Justus persisted, stayed the course and excelled in her field.
Her journey and achievements are showcased at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at a new exhibit entitled: Move Over, Sir!: Women Working on the Railroad.
Read the entire article here.
Photos of Edwina Justus, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau.
In a memo dated May 31, AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka issued a statement to unions on President Trump’s proposed budget.
“This budget is the most significant betrayal yet of the working people President Trump claims to support. It is a blueprint for how to rig the rules of the economy to favor the wealthy and corporations, while taking away our freedoms and protections at work,” Trumka said.
Click here to read that statement.
Click here to read highlights of the proposed budget.
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus rolled across the U.S. for the last time, holding their final show on May 22, 2017, at Long Island’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The iconic traveling circus that crisscrossed America on the Red and Blue trains for 146 years has rolled onto the pages of American history.According to a New York Times article, a steady drop in ticket sales resulted from vigorous campaigns from animal rights groups that shed light on the abuse and neglect of circus animals. Last year, elephants were finally removed from the show. Click here to read the entire article.
The following statement was issued June 1 by current SMART TD Illinois State Legislative Director Robert W. Guy:
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of former UTU Illinois State Director and longtime UTU member Patrick W. Simmons, who passed away this past Monday, May 29th. A 40-year veteran of the railroad industry, Brother Simmons served the Illinois Legislative Board with great distinction during his tenure, which included stints as Assistant State Director from 1976 to 1979 and State Director from 1980 to 1995.
Brother Simmons was a catalyst for our union and a staunch protector of our members within the legislative arena. He served as mentor to me and my predecessor, Joe Szabo, and even while retired was active within politics and never afraid to pick up the phone to contact our office to offer up his guidance on many issues that were important to all of our members. Pat, to this day, is fondly remembered by those who worked with him at the Capitol in Springfield, he will be sorely missed.
Photo, L to R: Joe Szabo, Patrick W. Simmons, Robert W. Guy
Click here for information on funeral services for Brother Simmons.
Bruce Robert Wigent, 73, of Prescott, Wis., died Wednesday, May 25 at United Hospital.
A member of Local 1709 in Pontiac, Mich., Wigent hired out as a switchman on the Grand Trunk Western Railroad in December 1964. He was first elected as a local officer in 1970 and then served as general chairperson of GO 377. Wigent was elected as a UTU International Vice President at the 1987 UTU quadrennial convention. He was re-elected to the position at the 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003 conventions. Wigent retired from the position in 2007.
As a vice president, he was instrumental in contract negotiations with SEPTA and also led a strike on the Soo Line in 1994. Wigent wholeheartedly believed in the power of unions and the right of the worker to organize, as evidenced in this 2009 video Wigent made supporting the Employee Free Choice Act.
A time of remembrance and Masonic Service is being held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 31 at the Old Ptacek’s Store Event Center, 1449 Orrin Road, Prescott, WI 54021. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Pine Glen Cemetery in Prescott.
Click here to leave condolences for the family.
SMART TD honors and remembers the men and women of our United States military, whose immeasurable sacrifice on behalf of our country will never be forgotten.
