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Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and access to this product is critical in the event of an emergency. Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company and Mylan’s manufacturing partner for EpiPen Auto-Injector, has announced a voluntary recall for select lots of EpiPen® (epinephrine injection, USP) and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injectors. The recalled lot numbers are below and were distributed from December 15, 2015, through July 1, 2016.

Additional Information:

Product: EpiPen® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injectors and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injectors

  • Dosage: EpiPen® is 0.15 MG; EpiPen Jr® is 0.3 mg
  • Indication: treatment for a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
  • Manufacturer: Meridian Medical Technologies
  • Lots impacted for EpiPen®:
    • Lot: 5GN767/Expiry: April 2017
    • Lot: 5GN773/Expiry: April 2017
    • Lot: 6GN215/Expiry: Sep. 2017
  • Lots impacted for EpiPen Jr®:
    • Lot: 5GM640/ Expiry: May 2017
    • Lot: 6GM081/ Expiry: September 2017
    • Lot: 6GM198/ Expiry: October 2017
    • Lot: 5GM631/ Expiry: April 2017
    • Lot: 6GM088/ Expiry: October 2017
    • Lot: 6GM087/ Expiry: October 2017
    • Lot: 6GM082/ Expiry: September 2017
    • Lot: 6GM199/ Expiry: October 2017
    • Lot: 6GM072/ Expiration Date: September 2017
    • Lot: 6GM091/ Expiration Date: October 2017
  • Type of recall: Voluntary
  • Reason for Recall: due to the potential that these devices may contain a defective part that may result in the devices’ failure to activate.
  • Return/Replacement information: Patients with unused EpiPen or EpiPen Jr. Auto-Injector product bearing the recalled lot number should contact Stericycle at 877-650-3494, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET, or Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET. Stericycle will provide a voucher number to cover the cost for replacing each 2 pak of recalled product. Stericycle will also facilitate the return of the recalled product for Mylan.

Yucca Mountain

President Trump is requesting $120 million in his 2018 budget to restart the licensing process to store nuclear waste under Nevada’s Yucca Mountain. This could also mean a revival for a proposed rail line to the remote site.
The project was first proposed in the 1980s but Nevadans on both sides of the aisle have been disapproving of the project.
Click here to read more from Trains.com.

In a report by Colorado Public Radio, the Essential Air Service (EAS) program is on the chopping block in Trump’s budget. EAS helps fund small airlines, like Great Lakes Airline, to provide service to smaller airports throughout the country. Without this funding, these small airlines could fold.
In Colorado alone, Pueblo, Alamosa and Cortez airports are operated by airlines who receive EAS funds. If these funds go away, small airlines may not be able to afford to provide service to and from these small cities. Great Lakes Airlines currently receives EAS funding for flights in and out of Denver, Pueblo and Telluride, Colo.
Read more from Colorado Public Radio.

WASHINGTON –  NewJersey.com reported that U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Robert Melendez wrote to the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on transportation, calling on committee leadership to secure federal funding for Amtrak and also for the Amtrak Gateway Project – which seeks to rebuild and restructure the commuter train tunnel system that has connected New York City and New Jersey for more than a century. This comes after the occurrence of devastating derailments in the northeast corridor over the past year. Read the complete story here.
The New York Post.com also reported that U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is calling on the feds for funding to “help fix Amtrak.” Click here to read the entire story.

After a subway attack in Russia this week, more than 80 representatives asked House appropriators to make sure that the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) will be fully funded. Lawmakers said TSGP could face deep funding cuts under President Trump’s budget.
“We must not let our guard down, and Americans must not have to fear riding the rails or boarding buses,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) said in a press release. “Americans made more than 10.6 billion mass-transit trips in 2015, and those systems’ open nature makes them especially vulnerable — a fact not lost on terrorists in Madrid in 2004, London in 2005 and Brussels in 2016. We must maintain a robust, separate funding for these systems’ security.”
Read more from Progressive Railroading.

SMART Transportation Division-represented Maintenance of Way (MOW) employees of the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (a Genesee Wyoming property) have ratified a five-year contract.
General Chairperson Steve Simpson and 1st Vice General Chairperson Scott Chelette assisted by Vice President Doyle Turner in the negotiations and ratification of the agreement for G0 927. Local 303 Chairperson Ryan Tabor and Vice Local Chairperson Justin Nozar played a large role in the preparation of the Section 6 notice, providing valuable information regarding the members’ wants and needs on the property.
The new agreement provides a signing bonus as well as a 14 percent raise over five years, a guarantee of 11 paid holidays and additional vacation days for all members.

JUNEAU, Alaska – According to an article posted by the Alaska News Dispatch, former Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski has been appointed by current Gov. Bill Walker as a “special envoy” to revive a decades-long plan to connect Alaska’s and Canada’s freight railway systems, a venture that would necessitate the construction of at least 1,500 miles of track in Alaska. Read the complete article here.
 
 

Campbell

SMART TD Georgia State Legislative Director Matt Campbell is currently running for Georgia’s State Senate, District 32. Campbell is up against seven other candidates. A special election will be held April 18.
Campbell has been endorsed by SMART TD, AFL-CIO, IBEW, CWA, Teamsters, IAM, Carpenters, IAFF, North Georgia Labor Council and the North Georgia Building Trades union.
Campbell has been a SMART TD (formerly UTU) member for 17 years, since he began his railroad career on CSX in 2000.
Click here to learn more about Campbell’s campaign.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline may possibly reduce rail crude transport by  470,000 barrels or more. SMART TD National Legislative Director John Risch told the newspaper that the downturn in oil shipments by rail could negatively impact BNSF’s ability to continue to invest in rail services.
Click here to read more from the Bismarck Tribune.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The first step in the process to mandate a minimum of two-person freight train crews in Ohio (H.B. 107) occurred Wednesday, March 29, when the Ohio Transportation & Safety Committee held its first hearing on the bill.
To make H.B. 107 a law in Ohio, we need TD union members, friends, family and anyone who cares about the safety of workers and the safety of our communities to click the link below to send a message to the members of the Ohio Transportation & Safety Committee, urging them to support this vital safety measure.
TAKE ACTION! Take a minute and click here to send a message in support of Ohio H.B. 107. Please share with friends and family to do the same!
TAKE ACTION IN YOUR STATE! Email us news of two-person crew or right-to-work (IS WRONG) legislation in your state to News_TD@smart-union.org.
TAKE ACTION to support H.R. 233, The Safe Freight Act, which would require a minimum of two-person crews on all freight trains operating in the United States. Click here to send a message to your U.S. House and Senate reps. in support of H.R. 233.
TAKE ACTION by calling members of the Ohio Transportation & Safety Committee (phone numbers listed below). Ask your Representatives to support H.B. 107 and thank the sponsors and co-sponsors for their support.
Ohio House Transportation & Safety Committee members (in order by district):

  • *Tom Patton (R – Dist. 7): 614-466-4895
  • *Stephanie Howse (D – Dist. 11): 614-466-1414
  • VC Dave Greenspan (R – Dist. 16): 614-466-0961
  • *Jim Hughes (R – Dist. 24): 614-466-8012
  • Alicia Reece (D – Dist. 33): 614-466-1308
  • Tony DeVitis (R – Dist. 36): 614-466-1790
  • *Mike Sheehy (D – Dist. 46): 614-466-1418
  • *Thomas West (D – Dist. 49): 614-466-8030
  • Candice Keller (R – Dist. 53): 614-644-5094
  • Nathan Manning (R – Dist. 55): 614-644-5076
  • *Michele LaPore-Hagan (D – Dist. 58): 614-466-9435
  • Chairman Doug Green (R – Dist. 66): 614-644-6034
  • Darrell Kick (R – Dist. 70): 614-466-2994
  • Larry Householder (R – Dist. 72): 614-466-2500
  • Terry Johnson (R – Dist. 90): 614-466-2124

*Denotes Sponsor or Co-sponsor of H.B. 107