Category: Amtrak/Commuter News
General chairperson quits NJT coronavirus task force, says carrier wasn’t doing enough to protect workers, public
In protest of what he said was gross misrepresentation by New Jersey Transit (NJT) of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SMART Transportation Division General Chairperson Jerome Johnson has resigned from NJT’s coronavirus safety task force. Johnson, also president of Loca [...]
Second member passes from COVID; Ferguson calls for federal agencies to act
On April 15, SMART Transportation Division Local 61 (Philadelphia, Pa.) announced that conductor Michael A. Hill, 58, of Glassboro, N.J., died from the coronavirus. Brother Hill was a 30-year member of SMART-TD and worked for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (S [...]
New Guaranteed Approval Offering for SMART-TD Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP)
All previously declined members and future enrolled members of the SMART-TD Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) now have access to up to $1,000 of guaranteed approved coverage. North Olmsted, Ohio (April 16, 2020) — In May 2019, the SMART Transportation Division rolled [...]
VSTD NOTICE: ELIMINATION PERIOD WAIVED FOR COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) DISABILITIES
April 15, 2020 As Trustees of the SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan, we have a responsibility to manage your Plan with care and prudence. We are always concerned with maximizing the benefit of the program for you, particularly in your time of need. We believe this ha [...]
OSHA establishes plan to keep workers safe from COVID-19
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA area offices and compliance saf [...]
SMART-TD, ATU and TWU send joint letter to congressional leaders stating transit worker priorities
[table id=4 /] Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy, and Leader Schumer: On behalf of more than 275,000 transit workers across the country, we are writing to bring your attention to the critical, immediate issues our members face during the current public he [...]
Union leaders call on FTA to set mandatory safety standards, ensure pay for frontline transit workers
April 8, 2020 The Honorable K. Jane Williams Acting Administrator Federal Transit Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Acting Administrator Williams: First, we want to thank you and your staff for your hard work en [...]
DOL warns employers against retaliation for workers who report unsafe conditions during pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reminding employers that it is illegal to retaliate against workers because they report unsafe and unhealthful working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Acts of [...]