Category: Legislation
Pennsylvania Rail Safety Legislation Clears House Vote
More than three years after the catastrophic derailment in East Palestine, a Pennsylvania lawmaker is urging his Senate colleagues to pass rail safety legislation that cleared the House last week. Read on to learn how this bill is part of a broader nationwide push to enact critical reforms that are necessary to protect both railroad workers and communities.
President Ferguson Responds to Washington Post
After the Washington Post criticized the Railway Safety Act of 2026, SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson responded with the railroaders’ perspective. Read on to see how he is setting the record straight on rail safety and why workers’ voices matter.
Sens Josh Hawley and Tammy Baldwin Prove Again Why SMART-TD Endorsed
A bipartisan rail safety push is gaining momentum from Senators Josh Hawley and Tammy Baldwin after the introduction of the Secure Tracks Act. Read on to learn how this bill aims to ensure automation is a tool for railroaders but not a replacement!
Persistence and Creativity Secure Train Crew Privacy Protections in Indiana
Indiana railroad workers who are involved in fatal grade crossing accidents will now have their names and private information redacted from public view, thanks to a recently passed piece of legislation awaiting the governor’s signature. Read on to learn why its journey to become law took some creative thinking and the knowledge of a two-person lobbying “crew.”
New Railroad Safety Enhancement Act Builds Momentum
Bipartisan rail safety bills are advancing in both chambers of Congress as the House’s Railroad Safety Enhancement Act builds on the Senate bill locking 2-PC requirements, and many more safeguards for railroaders into federal law. Read on to see how momentum for rail safety could translate into long-sought federal protections, and why your support will be what gets it across the finish line.
PRESS RELEASE: Bipartisan Railway Safety Act Delivers Critical List of Reforms
More than three years after the devastating East Palestine derailment, the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 aims to enact major reforms born out of the lessons learned from this disaster. Read on to learn more about what the legislation does, including why SMART-TD is proud to endorse it.
Railroaders Directly Benefit from New Paid Sick Leave Bill
The United States is the only major country where workers are not guaranteed paid sick leave. A new bill introduced in Congress earlier this month and endorsed by SMART-TD would finally right that wrong and ensure that no one is forced to choose between taking care of themselves and their families or earning a paycheck. Read on to learn how our members would be impacted by this legislation.
Members Who Work Federal Holidays Guaranteed Extra Pay Under New Bill
Working holidays is the norm in the transportation industry, but the vast majority of our rail and bus members do not receive any additional pay for doing so. A new bill introduced last week attempts to right that wrong on a federal level. Read on to learn what this change would mean for our members.