Category: Transportation
Michigan bills protecting bus/transit and passenger workers advance
SMART Transportation Division Michigan State Legislative Director Don Roach reports that two bills supported by the union have taken a step forward in the state Legislature after receiving a key committee endorsement. HB 4917 and HB 4918 seek to enhance protections for transp [...]
Retired TD staff member lends perspective to UAW’s fight
This column was submitted by Dan Lough, who worked for the TD Public Relations Department and as a meeting planner for the union for more than four decades prior to his retirement in 2018. His father was an auto worker and a member of the UAW. I don’t pretend to be an expert [...]
Local 933 leads way in caboose restoration
In October, Local 933’s Jorge Moralez had a hand in two “rebirths” — one public and one personal. First is that of a Missouri Pacific caboose that had been out of service for decades. Sitting neglected in the middle of the town of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, its destiny se [...]
Strike vote authorized at SEPTA
“Our General Chairperson for the SEPTA property, Ray Boyer, served Section 6 Notices on SEPTA well over a year ago. SEPTA management knows full well that SMART-TD’s members are the backbone of the greater Philadelphia area. Our members operate heavy rail, buses, light rail, a [...]
Online fundraiser established for Local 857 member who died at away-from-home terminal
It is with heavy hearts that the members of the SMART Transportation Division and Local 857 mourn the passing of colleague and friend, Michael Moilanen. Michael served as a conductor for Amtrak and was a valued member of Local 857 out of San Antonio, Texas. Michael’s un [...]
Longtime assistant to TD Illinois office retiring
The SMART Transportation Division in Illinois has been a beacon of productivity and progress for years. Mirroring the state’s central role as a hub where the nation’s major Class I carriers operate, SMART-TD’s Illinois operation has plenty of accomplishments and f [...]
In labor victory, FRA alters conditions of UP variance, now requires U.S. crews
Since 1998, trains coming across the Mexican border to the United States in Laredo, Texas, have been run by non-FRA-certified foreign national crews from Mexico. These foreign crews have been taking trains into Port Laredo, where they receive an initial Class I inspection and [...]Gary Crest elevated to vice president
The passing of SMART-TD Vice President John “J.D.” Whitaker was a loss felt throughout our organization. His contributions to this union are well known and will resonate for years to come. That being said, one of the strengths of this organization is the depth of our roster.& [...]