SMART Union
The Portland Business Journal reported that President Obama has signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 into law.
This officially delays the 40 percent excise tax on group health plans.
Unions and other organizations that provide strong benefit packages for members were the main targets of this tax.
Read the complete article here.
By John Previsich, President, SMART Transportation Division
While we look favorably on efforts made by members of congress to implement stronger and more wide-spread transportation policy upgrades – including increased funding for mass transit and highway safety programs, we are still concerned that passenger rail funding continues to fall short, and also, that safety transportation mandates continue to be swept aside.
The fact that funding allocations in FY16 Omnibus for Amtrak falls well below authorized levels for passenger rail, brings concern for the short and long-term effects on the viability, efficiency and safety of Amtrak passenger services.
Concerning roadway transit, members of congress made the right move by excluding a federal proposal in the Omnibus Spending Bill designed to force states to allow “Double 33s” on the road.
Trailer trucks, including mammoth, 33-foot freight trucks, have left a trail of tragedy along every major American roadway. Each year, more than 4,000 people are killed in trailer truck crashes, and more than 100,000 are injured.
While excluding the Double 33s proposal was an important move forward, members of congress also took a step back, as the bill includes an extension of the Collins amendment, which removes truckers “weekends off.” This allows driving time to exceed 80 hours per week – causing major fatigue, the leading factor in truck-related crashes.
We ask members of congress to stand and deliver on the job they were entrusted to do – which is, to protect the public, not corporate interests – and bring all areas of transportation onto a platform of safety and viability.
The Minnesota State Legislative Board is hosting a meeting Monday, December 21, 2015, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Education and Economic Development (MN DEED). The meeting will be held at the South St. Paul VFW 295, 111 Exchange St., St. Paul, from 5:00 pm. through 6:00 p.m.
MN DEED will be focusing on emergency assistance (mortgage help), job training, job counseling and much more.
“I would like to stress that furloughed members should not resign from their positions on the railroad,” Minnesota State Legislative Director Phil Qualy said. “These meetings are designed to provide our furloughed members with skills and training while they are on furloughed status and are in need of other temporary employment.
“We have over 200 furloughed workers across Minnesota from BNSF, CP and UP properties. Looking forward to 2016, we do not see an economic trend line that will lead to a large recall of furloughed workers at this time. With the recent passage of a federal highway construction bill and the weakening of a strong dollar, we hope our industry will recover.”
If you have been furloughed, it is highly recommended that you consider attending this meeting.
A holiday party will immediately follow the meeting at the same location, hosted by locals 650 (Minneapolis) and 1614 (St. Paul). All are welcome to attend.
Former SMART TD (UTU Local 1348) Washington State Legislative Director Thomas R. Retterath died Monday, November 2, 2015 at the Hospice Care Center following a battle with cancer.
Retterath was drafted and served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966. In 1971 he began his railroad career with Burlington Northern Railroad where he worked as a switchman at Longview Switching. In 1984 he was elected as the Washington State Legislative Director for the UTU and he served in that capacity until he retired in 2006. He is remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.
SMART TD Washington State Legislative Director Herb Krohn said, “Tom Retterath was an extremely popular and respected leader of SMART TD/United Transportation Union. He could be described as a ‘gentle giant.’ From 1984 through 2006 he guided our Washington State Legislative Board as our state director. He led the successful effort to obtain adoption of regulations establishing railroad walkway safety standards in our state.”
A celebration of his life was held at 2:00 p.m. on November 14 at Evangel Christian Fellowship, 1335 11th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632.
Donations may be made in Retterath’s honor to the Community Home Health and Hospice, Three Rivers International House of Prayer or Mountain Ministries.
To view his obituary, click here.
The Duluth News Tribune reported that within four years, the Northern Lights Express could be providing passenger rail service between the TwinPorts and the TwinCities (Minn.) four times per day.
Read the complete article here.
The Globe and Mail reported that a proxy fight is likely between Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
In a recent regulatory filing, NS said that the premium offered by CP in its proposal was too small and the merger and the voting trust proposed would not be approved by regulators.
Read the complete article here.
Progressive Railroading reported that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed an executive order granting New Jersey and Connecticut law enforcement jurisdiction on New York’s public transportation services and facilities.
These enhancements will allow regional governments to better protect public safety.
Read the complete article here.
Canadian Pacific Railway recently reported that a shotgun shell was found in the locking pin of the coupler on the Quebec Gatineau Railway (QGRY) in Quebec.
“This type of mischief has potentially fatal consequences and serves as a reminder that employees must always be aware of their surroundings, perform thorough equipment inspections and report any suspicious activity immediately to CP police for further investigation,” CP said in a safety alert.
“Situational awareness, knowledge of equipment and compliance with safety procedures are key elements in performing tasks safely. Should you encounter a similar condition as described above, please protect the hazard and report it to your supervisor immediately.”
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program has scheduled new training programs for HAZMAT/Chemical Emergency Response for 2016. Three classes for RW Chemical Emergence Response are being offered in early 2016 in Houston. The RW Chemical Emergence Response class will be held Feb. 7-12, March 6-11 and April 24-29, 2016.
This training addresses OSHA and DOT required training in addition to procedures, different levels of response and worker protection in a hazardous materials emergency or release, weapons of mass destruction awareness and the incident command system. The training also provides completion of the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Outreach requirements. The programs are delivered using interactive classroom instruction, small group activities, hands-on drills and a simulated HAZMAT response in full safety gear.
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is funded to provide this training by a federal grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This five-day HAZMAT training course will provide rail workers the essential knowledge, skills, and response actions in the case of an unintentional release. These tools will allow rail workers to protect themselves, their co-workers and their communities.
The funding provides the following student expenses: air travel, lodging and meals. In addition, an incentive of $120.00 per day is available to all training participants of these programs, except those who are able to secure regular pay through their employer, or are paid union officers. Training will be conducted at the Houston Fire Department’s Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff Street Houston, TX 77061.
Programs begin Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. and conclude Fridays at 1:00 p.m. Students may be asked to travel on Saturdays to meet program start times or where substantial reductions in airfare warrant. When registering, please select dates in order of preference.
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is also offering instructor training to be held April 3-9 and May 15-21, 2016. This course is designed to certify the student as a trainer for the DOT-HMIT (Hazardous Materials Instructor Training) Program.
The topics covered include DOT training requirements, placarding and labeling of Hazardous Materials, as well as other topics related to the safe transportation of hazardous material. Upon completion of this course, the student receives a card certifying them to teach the Practical Training Course.
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program prides itself on providing the most valuable worker safety training available and peer trainers provide most of the training. A major goal of the Rail Program is to build a nationwide pool of skilled peer trainers to deliver hazardous materials training at their jobsites, union meetings and in their communities.
The DOT-funded HMIT consists of an eight-hour hazardous materials awareness course followed by five days of train-the-trainer instruction, providing participants the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver hazardous materials training at the local and regional levels.
The funding provides the following student expenses: Air travel, lodging and meals. In addition, an incentive of $175.00 per day is available to all training participants of these programs, except those who are able to secure regular pay through their employer, or are paid union officers. Training will be conducted at: Holiday Inn Houston-Hobby Airport, 8611 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX, 77061.
Programs begin Monday mornings and conclude Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.
Students will be required to travel/arrive on Sundays to meet program start times.
When registering, please select dates in order of preference when available.
A training class is being offered June 5-8, 2016 in Chicago. Stay tuned for further details as they become available. Interested persons may register now for this program.
Click here to register for any of the classes listed above.
For phone inquiries please call (202) 624-6963 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST.