SMART Transportation Division President John Previsich and leaders from four other unions — the ATDA, BLET, BRS and TCU — submitted a 26-page document May 7 in response to the Federal Railroad Administration’s request for comment on autonomous trains.
In it, Previsich and union leaders Leo McCann, Dennis Pierce, W. Dan Pickett and Richard Johnson outline the approach they believe the industry should take in adopting new technologies in the rail industry in addition to the continuing role labor will play as these technologies advance.
To read a PDF of their submission, visit this link.
Previsich also submitted a second set of comments to FRA outlining SMART TD’s position on automation.
“Safety must be first and foremost when discussing the future of automation of our nation’s railroads,” Previsich wrote. “It would be unethical and would violate the mandate of Congress to sacrifice safety for potential profits.”
SMART TD’s comments:
1. Safety and security must be our No. 1 priority
2. Essential job functions of human railroad employees cannot be automated
In addition, the condition of America’s infrastructure, the risk of cyberattacks and the elimination of the human element of being able to watch and respond to possible safety threats also should be weighed as autonomous technology is considered, Previsich said.
“The functions of human crewmembers can never be fully automated in a way that maintains safety at its current level, let alone increases safety,” Previsich wrote. “In this industry, we are beset by challenges from all sides, and it is critical that at this juncture we take all of these challenges into consideration when it comes to automation, so as to keep railroads moving efficiently, profitably, and most importantly, safely.”
To read SMART TD’s full comments, follow this link.
Author: bnagy
Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo reports that the hard work of his legislative board has paid off with his state’s Legislature voting to pass the House Substitute for SB 391, establishing the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force. The bill now heads to Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer (R) for final approval, which he is expected to give.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those legislators who supported this important step to building a vision for transportation in Kansas with labor at the table,” Dragoo said. “We greatly appreciate the assistance of all of those that voted in favor to pass the task force legislation.”
The task force’s purpose is to evaluate the current condition of the Kansas transportation system; solicit local input on projects; evaluate current uses of the state highway fund; evaluate current transportation funding and determine whether funding levels are sufficient for current and future needs; identify additional necessary transportation projects; make recommendations regarding the needs of the state’s transportation system in the future; and make recommendations on the future structure of the state highway fund as it relates to maintaining the state’s infrastructure.
The bill also includes a list of organizations, including SMART Transportation Division and the AFL-CIO, that will sit on the task force.
“SMART TD looks forward to being a part of providing the task force with the critical information that they will need to build a vision for the future of the infrastructure system in Kansas,” Dragoo said. “This is the first time in our board’s history that our union will be recognized and enshrined in Kansas statute as a stakeholder in transportation planning for this state.
“Brothers and sisters, that is not by accident. That is our hard work paying off.”
Click here to read the final bill.
Today marks the start of the 2018 election season in earnest with four states – Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia — holding primary elections, with many other primaries to follow from now until September.
This is the chance for members of SMART Transportation Division to shape where the future of the transportation industry will go by selecting candidates who support issues that are important to us and our union brothers and sisters – things like improved safety in all modes of transportation, two-person train crews and yardmaster protection legislation. But you must get out and vote!
If you want to know the positions your elected officials have taken on these important issues, visit our Legislative Action Center where you can find out your senators’ and representatives’ voting records. You also can make your voice heard by sending them an email via the Action Center. Incumbent politicians attempting to get re-elected are very receptive to what you have to say from now until November. Why? They want your vote! Check the Action Center where you can research and ultimately decide whether that candidate really deserves your support on the basis of his or her record.
For some, it may be too late to register for your state’s primary election – the primary registration deadlines have passed in 12 states thus far, and today, May 8, is the last day that our brothers and sisters in New Mexico can register for their June 5th primary.
But that doesn’t mean it is too late to stay informed. We’ve been sending out reminder emails for the primary registration deadlines and will do the same as the general election registration deadlines approach. If you haven’t received one, it might be because we have an old email address on file. It’s always a good idea to update your information with SMART Transportation Division headquarters online to stay informed.
And finally, if it’s been awhile since you’ve voted or if you have moved, you can always double-check your voter registration status with a website that has been set up at www.smartvote2018.org.
This is an important year for the direction of our country, and as we do on the roads and on the rails of these great United States, SMART Transportation Division will lead the way.
As a result of the continued increase in claims volume and associated costs, the SMART Transportation Division Discipline Income Protection Program (DIPP) is increasing its monthly assessments from 81 cents to 96 cents per $1 of daily benefits, effective July 1, 2018.
Members may elect to reduce their benefit level or cancel coverage at any time by submitting the appropriate form to SMART TD. If a member chooses to keep his or her coverage as it is, the current benefit level will remain in place, and members who pay their monthly assessments by payroll deduction will have the higher monthly assessments automatically deducted from their paychecks.
DIPP trustees are SMART General President Joseph Sellers Jr., SMART Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. McClees and SMART TD President John Previsich.
Follow this link to view the updated SMART TD DIPP Schedule of Maximum Benefits.
A pair of BNSF conductors out of Winslow, Ariz., were recently featured in an article by the Arizona Daily Sun talking about their concerns about automating trains.
Legislative Representative Ellis Laird and Wade Carlisle, both of Local 113, talked to reporter Corina Vanek about the dangers an unmanned freight train hurtling through our neighborhoods can pose to the general public.
“It’s a horrible idea for a lot of different reasons,” Laird told Vanek. “Right now, we have two sets of eyes on each train. Humans can react to different situations, I don’t think they will ever be able to program a computer for every different situation.”
Read the whole article here.
Brothers Laird and Carlisle did their part to let the public and the FRA know why automated trains are a bad idea by getting in touch with their local newspaper. Have you done your part?
Click on the link below and tell the FRA why you think autonomous trains are WRONG! Then, forward the link to your family and friends and encourage them to do the same.
https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FRA-2018-0027-0003
You only have until May 7 to make your voice heard!
The FRA needs to hear from YOU to STOP Self-Driving Trains!
The Federal Railroad Administration has released a request for information (RFI) about autonomous (aka self-driving/zero-person crew) trains.
“FRA requests information and comment on the future of automation in the railroad industry. FRA is interested in hearing from industry stakeholders, the public, local and State governments, and any other interested parties on the potential benefits, costs, risks, and challenges to implementing automated railroad operations. FRA also seeks comment on how the agency can best support the railroad industry’s development and implementation of new and emerging technologies in automation that could lead to safety improvements or increased efficiencies in railroad operations.”
As professionals in this industry, and as concerned citizens about public safety, we need to voice our concerns. The FRA has given us a chance to speak up and we need to take it!
Tell them why autonomous trains are a threat to public safety. You can also remind them of the critical duties of Conductors and Locomotive Engineers.
Speak your mind.
SMART members, now is the time to use our voices to make an impression and weigh in BIG on this issue. Your response is needed!
It only takes a minute. Click on the the link below and tell the FRA why you think autonomous trains are WRONG! Then, forward the link to your family and friends and encourage them to do the same.
https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FRA-2018-0027-0003
You only have until May 7 to make your voice heard!
Norfolk Southern has sued in federal court an engineer and conductor who were aboard a freight train than collided with another NS train last month in Scott County, Ky.
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the suit claims the crew ignored a signal and failed to reduce the speed of their moving train and prevent the March 18 collision with a stopped train.
NS’s lawsuit seeks compensation from the crew for damages caused by the collision, which destroyed two locomotives and caused 13 cars to derail, the newspaper reported.
Read the full story at the Lexington Herald-Leader’s website.
Clint Miller, general counsel for the United Transportation Union for more than two decades, died March 28 at his home in Lakewood, Ohio. He was 70.
Before his 2012 retirement, Miller was a fixture in the UTU Legal Department for 27 years – 21 of them as UTU general counsel. He also participated as a member of the negotiating team in national contract talks.
At the time of Miller’s retirement, then-UTU International President Mike Futhey said: “In Clint Miller, the UTU has had a lawyer with the best interests of the membership at heart.”
He is survived by his daughters, Emily (Lewis) Dichairo, Hilary (Aaron) Lee, and Sarah (Mark) Gonzales; wife, Cynthia; stepdaughter Stephanie Popik; and grandchildren Annabelle, Greyson, Reese, Ryan and Camden.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bettie Sue, in 2002.
To read a full obituary, follow this link.
Former four-term UTU International Vice President James “Jim” M. Hicks, of Nortonville, Ky., died March 29 at Baptist Health Hospital. He was 96.
Hicks was local chairperson of Local 904, Evansville, Ind., for 11 years before election in 1963 as general chairperson on Louisville & Nashville Railway (now part of CSX). He was elected alternate vice president of UTU predecessor Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen in 1968 and re-elected in 1971 and 1975 during UTU conventions. He first took office as an International vice president in 1976. Hicks also served as manager of the UTU Field Service Department from 1981 to 1983. He retired in 1990.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ruth.
He is survived by his two sons, Corkie (Lois) Hicks of London, Ky., and Don (Shirley) Hicks of Owensboro.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, mail to Rizpah Temple 3300 Hanson Rd. Madisonville, KY 42431.
A link to the full obituary is here.
Union members from all over Nebraska are invited to attend a Workers Summit on Friday, April 6 in North Platte, Neb.
Jim “Doc” Moore, a retired associate professor of labor history at Cornell University’s School for Industrial and Labor Relations, will moderate the meetings at 1 and 5 p.m. at the Quality Inn and Suites, 2102 S. Jeffers St., North Platte, NE 69101.
“The purpose of the labor summit is to unite all the unions and to better inform our members of the issues that are important for our safety and welfare,” said summit organizer Terry Sigler, a retired legislative representative of SMART Transportation Division Local 286 in North Platte.
Topics of discussion will include S. 1451 – the Railroad Advancement of Innovation and Leadership with Safety Act; S. 2360 and HR 233 – the Senate and House versions of the Safe Freight Act and cuts to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s budget.
Strategies about how to mobilize to have union workers’ voices heard will be discussed, and questions from attendees are welcome during the discussion.
SMART TD Nebraska State Legislative Director Bob Borgeson and Dean Mitchell, SMART TD political consultant of DFM Research in Minnesota, will be among the presenters.