Category: News
FRA Issues Grade-Crossing Safety Advisory
The FRA has issued Safety Advisory 2025-02 following several tragic shove-movement accidents, emphasizing the need for railroads to strengthen protections, visibility assessments, and operational practices at passively protected grade crossings. Read on to see how these recommendations call on carriers to improve rules and safeguards, but also to revamp and increase Operational Testing.
Amtrak To Give SMART-TD Members Holiday Bonuses
Amtrak’s Board has ended its executives-only bonus system and will instead provide $900 holiday bonuses to more than 18,000 front-line employees. Read on to see how this marks a turning point for SMART-TD members, recognizing their essential role in delivering Amtrak’s record-setting year.
Value of Unions
Unions provide the stability and protection that non-union workers increasingly lack in an economy defined by mass layoffs. This reality is underscored by decades of job cuts in sectors like technology, finance, and manufacturing. Read one to see how our recent job-security gains prove that union solidarity is still the strongest defense against becoming a labor department statistic.
2026 Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Insurance Tax Changes
While the tax rates remain unchanged, the income limits for Tier I and Tier II retirement taxes will rise slightly in 2026. Tier I will be $184,500, while Tier II increases to $137,100. Read on to see how the updated compensation limits, Medicare thresholds, and unemployment insurance rates will affect your paychecks in the year ahead.
SMART-TD Members on UP Properties Ratify Five-Year Agreement
Members working on Union Pacific properties have overwhelmingly ratified a five-year agreement, with a vast majority voting “yes” for substantial wage increases, enhanced benefits, and powerful new protections that resolve longstanding issues. Read on to see how this strong contract victory will deliver real gains in pay, quality of life, and fairness for SMART-TD’s UP membership over the next five years.
Railroader’s Son to Perform at Carnegie Hall
“A.J.” Hamburger Jr. will take the stage at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of the National Honors Bands Performance Series. A.J. is the son of BNSF conductor and SMART-TD Local 934 (Alliance, Nebraska) Vice Local Chairperson Aaron Hamburger. On February 8, 2026, A.J. will join only 350 students out of more than 10,000 applicants worldwide. Read on to learn more about this accomplishment.
Rail Trespassing and Suicide Fatalities Up 70%
Trespasser and suicide-related incidents now account for 50 percent of all transit-related fatalities reported in 2024. Between 2016 and 2024, these events have risen sharply, with major incidents up 71 percent, fatalities up 70 percent, and injuries up 65 percent. The Federal Transit Administration has issued new recommendations for transit agencies to confront this crisis, along with resources for railroaders who are forced to contend with the aftermath of these incidents.
Help the McLucas Family After Fire Destroys Their Home
On November 15, Brother Brian McLucas (Local 1190) received a devastating phone call: his house was on fire, and the situation was a total loss. His wife and two young daughters were able to escape safely but now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and their home during the holiday season. Read on to learn how you can help our union brother.