Michael Gregory Olleck, a long time SMART TD member lost his life on June 10th, 2017 while at work. Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps soon after high school. He then worked for the LIRR for 17 years first as a trackman and then as a track foreman. He lost hi [...]
Although both the Nevada Senate and House approved S.B. 427 – the state’s two-person crew bill – Republican Governor Brian Sandoval vetoed the measure June 8. Click here to read Sandoval’s veto letter.
General President Joseph Sellers Jr. recently met with SMART TD general chairpersons at the SMART TD Western General Chairperson’s Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Click here to watch a video of GP Sellers addressing the issues SMART TD members face.
BISMARCK, N.D. — The Planning and Rail Section of the North Dakota DOT (NDDOT) has a draft rail plan that they believe will grow freight rail in the state. The plan focuses on crossing safety, safe transportation of HazMat, passenger rail service and improvements to inf [...]
In an article published June 5 on Resilience.org, activist Bill Moyer outlined his case for investment in high speed electric rail, and is leading an effort in his home state of Washington to lobby for this mode of transportation that has existed in Europe and Asia for decad [...]
According to a story by The Spokesman-Review, bus operators employed by the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) in Spokane, Wash., have seen an increase of assaults by riders. According to the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1015, which represents the STA operators, there’s [...]
In a memo dated May 31, AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka issued a statement to unions on President Trump’s proposed budget. “This budget is the most significant betrayal yet of the working people President Trump claims to support. It is a blueprint for how to r [...]
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus rolled across the U.S. for the last time, holding their final show on May 22, 2017, at Long Island’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The iconic traveling circus that crisscrossed America on the Red and Blue trains for 14 [...]
The following statement was issued June 1 by current SMART TD Illinois State Legislative Director Robert W. Guy: It is with great sadness to announce the passing of former UTU Illinois State Director and longtime UTU member Patrick W. Simmons, who passed away this past Monday [...]
Bruce Robert Wigent, 73, of Prescott, Wis., died Wednesday, May 25 at United Hospital. A member of Local 1709 in Pontiac, Mich., Wigent hired out as a switchman on the Grand Trunk Western Railroad in December 1964. He was first elected as a local officer in 1970 and then serv [...]