Category: News
UTUIA donates $5k to Hurricane Harvey relief
The United Transportation Insurance Association (UTUIA), in a show of fraternal solidarity and generosity, has donated $5,000.00 to the UTU Disaster Relief Fund to be used for SMART TD members who have been negatively impacted by Hurricane Harvey. “Many Brothers and Sis [...]
Gallup poll: Labor union approval at its highest since 2003
According to Gallup, 61 percent of adults say they approve of labor unions. This is the highest approval rating unions have had since 2003 when approval was at 65 percent. Approval is up five percentage points from last year’s poll and is 13 points above the all-time lo [...]
Our SMART TD Brothers and Sisters in Texas need your help!
Dear Members of the SMART Transportation Division: The catastrophic flood waters caused by Hurricane Harvey have devastated Houston and its surrounding communities with loss of life and immeasurable destruction of property. Some of those affected by the devastation are our Br [...]
RRB advises rail workers impacted by Hurricane Harvey
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is reminding rail employees out of work due to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath that they may qualify for unemployment benefits. To determine eligibility or file claims for benefits, affected railroaders should call the RRB’s toll-fr [...]
Your Track to Health: August hot topics – anxiety and exercise
Your Track to Health has provided tips on handling social anxiety as well as the benefits of exercise. Click on the links below to read how you can overcome social anxiety and about the benefits of adding exercise to your daily routine. Tips for handling social anxiety: Every [...]Recovery tips for dealing with storms and flooding
Being prepared for emergencies is very important. Optum has provided pdfs on tips on being prepared and recovering from hurricanes, tropical storms and flooding. Preparing for and recovering from hurricanes and tropical storms Recovering from storms and flooding Visit liveand [...]NJT compliance officer says he was fired for bringing up safety concerns
BloombergPolitics reports that fired New Jersey Transit (NJT) Compliance Officer Todd Barretta is claiming that he was fired when he pointed out shortcomings in safety in NJT’s rail and bus operations. NJT disputes Barretta’s claim and states that he was a disgrun [...]
Class I’s continue to cut jobs despite profits
The Omaha-World Herald reports that Class I railroads continue to cut jobs, despite earning large profits. Altogether, the railroads have cut 25,000 jobs or 13 percent of their personnel in recent years. With companies cutting jobs left and right, and with freight volumes on [...]