Category: Amtrak/Commuter
Disaster relief donations sought in Hurricane Laura aftermath
The SMART Transportation Division is primed to assist members in their time of need when disaster strikes. Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas in late August. According to reports from the ground, the storm has inflicted extensive damage to many homes — particul [...]
Amtrak furloughs could be avoided with proper action in Congress
Amtrak, despite having been given $1 billion in funding under the CARES Act to prevent furloughs as a result of COVID-19, has announced that more than 500 – 509 to be exact – SMART members are targeted to be furloughed, effective Oct. 1. Carrier leadership announced Sept. 1 t [...]
Video in DNC’s first night highlights relationship between Biden, SMART retiree
Gregg B. Weaver, a retired member of SMART-TD Local 898 who rode with former Vice President Joe Biden many times during the longtime senator’s commute from Delaware to Washington D.C., was featured in a video presented Monday, Aug. 17, during the first night of the Demo [...]
Feedback sought for revisions/refinements to time books
To Local Treasurers, Local Presidents and Local Chairpersons, As you are aware, we are presently accepting orders for the 2021 time books and while these orders are being processed we are also reviewing the materials contained in the current booklet. This booklet is utilized [...]
Update from RRB Labor member on NRRIT investments
Railroad Retirement Board Labor Member John Bragg released the following message on Aug. 4: Brothers and Sisters: In my last update on July 9, 2020, I informed you of correspondence that the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) received from the White House alleging that the Natio [...]SMART-TD, unions, transit agencies call on congressional leaders to provide emergency aid to public transportation
The SMART Transportation Division was among the 36 signatories in a letter sent Aug. 4 calling on leaders in Congress to provide $36 billion in emergency aid to public transportation agencies as the economy continues to be staggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter delive [...]
AFL-CIO TTD’s letter petitions U.S. DOT for passenger face mask mandate
Larry Willis, president of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, of which the SMART Transportation Division is a member, sent the following letter on July 27 petitioning Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to issue a regulation requiring passengers to wear masks as t [...]In letter, RRB responds to White House foreign investment allegations
A letter issued from the Labor Member of the Railroad Retirement Board, John Bragg, addressed criticism by White House staff leveled toward RRB regarding investments in Chinese enterprises. Bragg’s response is reproduced below and links to supporting documentation are a [...]