Category: Transportation
RRB releases spring conference schedule
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) released its Informational Conference Schedule for March – June 2017. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. and programs begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and end at 12:15 p.m. at all locations. Click here for a list of conferences. Online registrat [...]
Member hit and killed by Union Pacific train
WALLA WALLA COUNTY, Washington — John P. Schneider, 54, of Spokane Valley, Wash., was hit and killed by a Union Pacific train around 5 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31. The accident occurred near the Wallula train yard in Walla Walla County, Wash. No one else was injured in the ac [...]
Missouri, New Hampshire poised to become right-to-work states
Members in Missouri & New Hampshire: Call your State House Representatives! The state of Missouri recently passed a right-to-work (for less) bill in the State Senate, 21-12. A similar bill is expected to pass in the state’s House as well. If the bill passes in the S [...]
Unity Propels Results In New York
With roughly 340,000 passengers every weekday, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the busiest commuter rail system in North America—one of only a few systems in the world that run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. In 2015, its fourth straight year with increased [...]Driver in collision with Amtrak train could face charges
PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland man who drove his car around the gates at a railroad crossing as an Amtrak train approached could face charges. Derso Mekonen, 56, drove his car around a line of vehicles stopped at a railroad crossing, Friday, Jan. 27, and collided with an [...]
Ann Begeman replaces Elliott as STB Chairman
President Donald J. Trump has appointed Ann Begeman to serve as Acting Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Begeman is currently serving a second, five-year term as a Member of the Board following her recent nomination by President Barack Obama Dec. 7, 2016, an [...]
Negotiations update on the National Rail Contract
Dear members, On December 5, 2016, SMART Transportation Division issued a press release to announce that the unions participating in the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) had requested that the National Mediation Board (NMB) mediate the group’s negotiations with the National [...]
Statement from GP Sellers on Meeting With President Trump
Earlier this week, I was joined by SMART Government Affairs Director Steve Dodd and General Vice President Gary Masino in a meeting with President Trump and Building Trades leaders at his first work day in the Oval Office. Throughout, we were regarded with respect and courte [...]