Category: Leadership Messages
Essential book informs members about railroad safety laws
“What Every Railroader Should Know,” written by Lawrence Mann, rail safety coordinator to SMART Transportation Division’s Designated Legal Counsel (DLC), is an extensive and comprehensive survey of federal railroad safety law as it pertains to rail workers and is [...]
National Legislative Director Risch addresses NARVRE
SMART Transportation Division National Legislative Director John Risch addressed the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE) in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on May 21, touching on the current national political climate and the need for retirees to step [...]
SMART TD, four other unions submit joint comments on train automation
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, [...]
Voting season has begun in 2018 — now is the time to act
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 Transportat [...]Changes made to monthly SMART TD DIPP assessments
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 [...]Arizona conductors tell newspaper why automated trains are a bad idea
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 ab [...]Let FRA know what you think about automating trains
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 [...]
Amtrak, transportation benefit from omnibus spending bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress passed and President Trump signed into law Friday a bipartisan spending agreement also known as the “omnibus” spending bill that provides a massive boost toward several of our union’s priorities, including transportation infrastructure projects, th [...]