Category: Transportation
Strong Team Smooths Transition for New Local 406
SMART-TD welcomes our newest property, Local 406, out of Missoula, Montana. Faced with daunting changes after their short line was taken over by BNSF, SMART-TD organizer Pete Trotta created a team to help everyone in 406 get up to speed. “These guys might not have known the BNSF systems yet, and they might have been BLE members, but they were railroaders just like us. Helping them was just the right thing to do.”
New Bills Pass Thanks to Teamwork and Communication
New laws in Arkansas and an upcoming bill in Wisconsin are the result of SMART-TD’s network of Safety and Legislative Directors, who help each other draft then pass laws that protect union members from coast to coast. Read on to learn how our creativity and collaboration continue to impact State Capitols across the country.
SMART-TD Stands with FRA in Defense of Two-Person Crew Rule in Federal Appellate Court
Yesterday, SMART-TD stood shoulder to shoulder with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) defending the rule requiring a minimum of two crew members on freight trains (2-PC) in federal appellate court. While two groups and several carriers challenge this important rule, our legal team is standing up for our members' safety. Read on for a recap of the day's proceedings, including the vastly different arguments used by the two sides.
Coal trains roll as Michigan power plant gets a lifeline
Powder River coal will continue to flow from Wyoming to Michigan, thanks to an order from the Trump Administration to keep the J.H. Campbell Power Plant in West Olive, Michigan operational for another 90 days. Keeping Campbell open means keeping us on the job and keeping the lights on in Michigan. Read on for the details.
SMART-TD Calls for Legislative Action After Firearm Incident Involving Keolis Crew Member
After a Keolis conductor was assaulted on the job last week, the need to pass transit safety legislation in Massachusetts is more urgent than ever. Current law only protects employees working for public transit authorities but doesn't include their counterparts who work for private companies. Read on to learn what happened and how SMART-TD leaders are reviving the call to pass this vital safety legislation.
Who to call if you are injured or retaliated against for reporting a safety violation on the railroad
If you are new to the railroad or are fortunate enough to have never been injured at work, you may not know about a key protection the union provides: a pool of pre-vetted lawyers who can help if you need them. Sara Youngdahl, our DLC coordinator, explains what the Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) is and when you should reach out.
In Loving Memory of Brother Darryl Redmon
Local 1704 (Kansas City, MO) and SMART-TD honor the memory of Brother Darryl Redmon, General Chairperson of GO-STU (First Student 1704), whose brief but impactful tenure exemplified servant leadership, union advocacy, and compassionate service. Read on to see how his legacy endures through the lives he touched, the contracts he influenced, and the deep respect he earned among colleagues, family, and his community.
Yardmasters: The Unsung Teammates on the Front Line of Rail Labor
Yardmasters, often misperceived as management, are frontline SMART-TD union members who provide protection from flawed software and dangerous directives from upper management. As Yardmasters are stretched thin or are replaced by managers with automation software, risks quickly increase for everyone else on the road. Read on to learn why solidarity and support for these teammates is more important than ever.