Category: Amtrak/Commuter News

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SMART TD NJT workers ratify contract

July 29, 2016 We are pleased to announce that SMART TD members on New Jersey Transit have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Steve Burkert, SMART TD general chairperson; and Doyle Turner, SMART TD vice president; led the fight for a fair and equitable agreement while withstand [...]

Tags Anthony Simon, contract, Doyle Turner, negotiations, New Jersey Transit, NJT, Steve Burkert

STB issues two decisions in passenger rail proceedings

July 29, 2016 The Surface Transportation Board released two decisions related to its oversight of Amtrak’s operations under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). First, the Board decided that it would consider on-time arrival and departure at all stations along [...]

Tags Amtrak, Daniel Elliott, passenger rail, PRIIA, STB, Surface Transportation Board

Two-person crew issue has railroads, regulators at odds

July 26, 2016 The Columbus Dispatch reported that the issue of crew consist has railroads at odds with federal regulators. This comes after the Federal Railroad Administration announced a proposed rule earlier this year requiring two-person crews on trains. Standing with the FRA, and this [...]

Tags FRA, John Risch, two-person crews

OSHA’s safety tips for working in the heat

July 22, 2016 HEAT ILLNESS CAN BE DEADLY The body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating isn’t enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if you don’t drink enough water and rest in the shade. You can suffer fro [...]

Tags heat exhaustion, Heat Illness, heat safety, heat stroke, OSHA

Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees

July 20, 2016 The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, which provides two kinds of benefits for qualified railroaders: unemployment benefits for those who become unemployed but are ready, willing and able to work; and sickness benefits for th [...]

Tags Railroad Retirement Board, RRB, unemployment and sickness benefits

Contact your Reps. about two-person crew legislation

June 24, 2016 By National Legislative Director John Risch Recently, Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas – one of the most conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives – cosponsored our two-person crew legislation, H.R. 1763, the Safe Freight Act. This show of support [...]

Tags H.R. 1763, John Risch, The Safe Freight Act, two-person crews, two-person crews legislation

SMART TD, BLET: Federal regulators must prohibit one-person freight train crews

June 16, 2016 SMART Transportation Division President John Previsich and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) President Dennis Pierce, issued a joint statement, following their submission of their comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on train crew size. [...]

Tags crew consist, Dennis Pierce, Federal Railroad Administration, FRA, John Previsich, press release, proposed rule, two-person crews

FRA clarifies "Smartwatch" Rule – Fitbits restricted

June 8, 2016 The question? May an employee wear a device like a “Garmin Vivofit” or “Fitbit” wristband that acts like a watch, and counts the steps that an individual takes each day? The devices are not searching for the internet, or Wifi, to do this and must be s [...]

Tags Federal Railroad Administration, Fitbit, fitness tracking device, FRA, personal electronic devices

NARP urges FRA, NJ Transit to expedite tunnel project

June 2, 2016 Progressive Railroading reported that the president of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) recently urged federal leaders to fast-track the requisite approvals for replacing the Hudson River rail tunnels. Read the entire story here.

Tags Amtrak, Hudson River tunnel, NARP, National Association of Railroad Passengers

Legislation would make Amtrak spend NEC profits on corridor

May 24, 2016 Progressive Railroading reported that a bill passed by the Senate last week includes provisions requiring Amtrak to spend its profits from Acela and Northeast Regional service on projects in the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Read the entire story here.

Tags Acela, Amtrak, legislation, NEC, Northeast Corridor, profits