The Union Pacific Museum recently opened the “Women of Steel” exhibit that honors and highlights the history and achievements of the unsung women trailblazers in one of the few industries still dominated by men – the rail industry. The exhibit will run at the UP Museum, Council Bluffs, Iowa, until October 28, 2017, then goes on the road as the first traveling exhibit of its kind. Click here to read the article.
In the March 2017 issue of the Transportation Division News, SMART TD highlighted the accomplishments and history of women in rail, bus and aviation in honor of Women’s History Month. Click here to view “A look back at the women who paved the way for women in rail” (page 9), “Women Trailblazers of the Bus Industry” (page 10) and the “History of women in aviation” (pages 4 & 9).
Photo: Edwina Justus in 1976, UP’s first black female locomotive engineer. Photo courtesy of Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
SMART TD women members in rail: Please send your photos & stories to: News_TD@Smart-Union.org.
Author: amyr
Health experts are reporting that due to above-average winter temperatures across most of the country, tick populations are on the rise. Click on Your Track to Health to learn the basics about tick bites.
For tips on how to prevent tick bites, click here to visit the National Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.
The Idaho Statesman reported that work is still underway, and will be for quite awhile, in clearing 25 BNSF freight cars that derailed last week on a stretch of U.S. 95, near Lake Cocolalla, Idaho. Officials from the Idaho Transportation Department told the press that it may take weeks to clear the road completely. No injuries and no hazardous events were reported. The cause of accident has not been released. Click here to read the enti
re article.
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed an anti-worker bill misguidedly labeled as the “Working Families Flexibility Act” (H.R. 1180).
This harmful legislation would let employers give workers paid time off instead of being required to pay one and a half times their regular rate of pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a work week.
H.R. 1180 encourages employers to require excessive hours because overtime work would become cheaper and allow the employer to determine when the compensatory time off is allowed. This anti-worker bill would result in longer hours, less pay and more unpredictable work schedules for those who are not fortunate enough to have a union contract to protect them.
During a time when our nation’s elected leaders should be focused on creating good paying A
merican jobs, H.R. 1180 does nothing more than provide employers with an opportunity to cheat their employees out of their earned overtime pay.
Click here to read the letter from SMART TD legislative office, sent to every member of Congress urging them to vote NO on this anti-worker bill. You can find out how your elected representatives voted by clicking the link below.
Click HERE to see how your member of Congress voted on H.R. 1180.
May 4, 2017
WASHINGTON—In the strongest bi-partisan moves since President Trump’s election, Congress passed a spending agreement called an omnibus that is in stark contrast to President Trump’s 2018 budget – in which he proposed that transportation funds be slashed by the billions.
In the just-passed bill, Congress secured and even increased transportation funding, preventing the loss of tens of thousands of jobs, the elimination of long-distance train service, and a freeze on railway, road and bridge infrastructure upgrades.
One important spending increase was an additional $570,000 for the National Mediation Board; something SMART TD has been seeking to reduce the backlog of arbitration cases.
For our California members, the omnibus included $100 million in funding for the Caltrain electrification project. This means that construction—previously placed on hold by the Department of Transportation will move forward, with federal funds for Caltrain guaranteed until the end of FY2017.
For our Great Lakes pilot and flight attendant members the Essential Air Service (EAS) program for rural communities was fully funded, something President Trump’s budget also proposed to eliminate.
For our bus membership, federal funding for the Federal Transit Administration—slated by the administration for a major decrease—was increased by $236 million and $2.4 billion was included for transit Capital Investment Grants.
In addition, the omnibus spending provides a permanent solution to guarantee health care for nearly 22,000 retired union mine workers who have been impacted by the growing decline of coal production.
“This proposal, which had widespread support on both sides of the political aisle sends a clear message to the White House that killing transportation initiatives and slashing transportation funding is not supported by Congress – and is not in the best interest of transportation workers and our nation,” stated John Risch, SMART TD national legislative director.
Although this vote is a victory, we must remain vigilant and continue to contact our representatives to make it clear that investments in transportation are vital to our nation.
Click here to visit the SMART TD Legislative Action Center to contact your elected officials about the rail, bus and air transportation issues that affect us.
The SMART TD Ohio State Legislative Board’s Director Stuart Gardner and Assistant Director Ralph Leichliter went on The Union Edge: Labor’s Talk Radio to explain to listeners why Right-to-Work is Wrong not just for Ohioans, but for all working families.
Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
If you live in Ohio, click here for the Ohio State Legislative Board’s website.
Click here to tell your representatives that Right-to-Work is Wrong via our Legislative Action Center.
SMART TD is proud to recognize that the Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Antonio, TX has gone from a Non-Union Hotel to a Union Hotel!
We are happy to support our union brothers and sisters in Texas by holding our 2017 Western Regional Meeting at this amazing union hotel located along the historic San Antonio River Walk.
Book your room at the Grand Hyatt now!
The MAY 11th deadline is approaching fast, so take a minute to reserve your room online now!
To reserve a room by phone, just call: 1-800-233-1234
PLEASE NOTE: If phoning-in a reservation, make sure to get the SMART TD hotel room discount by letting them know: “I’m a member of the SMART UNION GROUP attending the TRANSPORTATION DIVISION REGIONAL MEETING.”
Click here for more information on the SMART TD San Antonio Regional Meeting.
Questions? Please contact: Dan Lough, SMART TD Director of Meeting Management, Education and Training: 216-227-5411
If signed into law, President Trump’s 2018 budget proposal would eliminate Amtrak’s long distance train service. The immediate fall out would be significant for all American rail workers resulting in the loss of 10,000 non-Northeast Corridor Amtrak jobs by the end of this year.
According to a recent report by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) actuary, the impact of such job losses would result in a long-term decrease in Railroad Retirement benefits and overall increase in taxes.
Impact on RRB benefits & trust funds if 10,000 Amtrak jobs cut
While RRB accounts could absorb the loss of 10,000 Amtrak jobs, the cumulative impact of losses in the rail industry, including approximately 30,000 jobs that have been lost in just the last two years, will take a significantly negative toll on the entire system. Attached you will find the RRB’s detailed projection in loss of jobs, loss of benefits, and major increase in railroad unemployment benefits projected for 2017 and 2018.
The time to act is NOW
We must urge fellow members, friends and family to call, email and write our national elected officials to OPPOSE any budget that would cut 10,00 Amtrak jobs, eliminate commuter rail service and irreparably harm the retirement benefits that all railroad members worked for a lifetime to secure.
Click here to urge your elected representatives to oppose any budget cuts to Amtrak’s long-distance train service via the Legislative Action Center (LAC).
In solidarity,
John Risch
National Legislative Director
SMART Transportation Division
The following obituary in remembrance of Herman Joseph Boruta II is re-posted from 
the Stegenga Funeral Chapel website:
Herman “Herm” Joseph Boruta II, age 68, died Thursday, April 27, 2017. He died after a short illness with pancreatic cancer. He was a conductor for CSX and its predecessor railroads for 45 years. Boruta was local chairperson of UTU Local 313 in Grand Rapids, Mich., for 36 years and also served as Local 313 delegate to the UTU International Convention for six consecutive conventions from 1983-2003.
Boruta leaves behind his loving wife, Jeanne Boruta; his children, Matt Boruta, Michelle and Mike Flaviani, Molly and Glenn Rawlins, Beth and Eric Arce; his grandchildren, Jake, Nate, Luke, Amelia, and Avonlea; his brothers and sisters, Katie and Stan Spetoskey, Mike and Mary Boruta, Matt and Cinda (Gibson) Boruta, Kris VanderVeen, Jane and Chris Steffes, Ellen and Danny Williams, Julie and Mike Mervau; Mother-in-law, Dorothy Dulude; In-laws, David and Marie Dulude, Mary Dulude, preceded in death by Thomas Dulude; and many nieces and nephews. He had a love for nature, especially Lake Michigan and its sand dunes. Boruta shared his extensive knowledge of history, politics and geography with his kids and grandkids. He always put others first, judged no one, and treated all with respect.
Please do not send flowers as none could match the beauty of his garden that he shared with many. His family would like to say a special thanks to Hospice of Michigan. Contributions in his honor may be made to The Consolata Missionary Sisters, 6801 Belmont Ave NE, Belmont, MI 49306.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Assumption BVM church, 6369 Belmont Ave, Belmont, MI. His family will greet relatives and friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday ,May 1, 2017, at Stegenga Funeral Chapel – Belmont, 1601 Post Drive NE and one hour prior to the service at church. Prayers of the rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. To share a photo, memory and sign the family’s online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com.
Herm Boruta: Dedicated UTU Officer, Friend and Mentor to Many
“Herm was a true union man who fought many hard battles to protect the jobs of all the crafts in West Michigan. He was also a great mentor to many of the new members joining his local and always shared his history and passion with the next generation of union officers. As a retiree he attended the Local 313 meetings and was also active in NARVE, Grand Rapids Unit 152. He will be greatly missed,” – said SMART TD Vice President Jeremy R. Ferguson.
Maureen “Moe” Johnson of SMART TD Local 1374 out of New Castle, Pa., has been diagnosed with lung cancer. If you live in the western Pa., or eastern Ohio area, please consider attending the benefit listed below.
Johnson is a single mom and has lost her health insurance that was provided through the railroad.
Donations may be sent to:
Maureen Johnson
555 Audrey Lane
Struthers, OH 44471
