Category: Regulations
Cheaper to Burn Bridges than Inspect Them: Documentary Reveals Railroad Negligence
A new hard-hitting video from the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism reveals how the railroads’ widespread neglect of their bridges put our communities at risk and why that problem is about to get much worse if we don’t do something to stop it. Read on to see what we can do to spread the word.
East Palestine Documentary Emphasizes Fight for Rail Safety
A short documentary by independent filmmaker John Russell and the non-profit newsroom More Perfect Union exposes how corporate cost-cutting and regulatory failures led to the Norfolk Southern derailment disaster, emphasizing the deadly consequences of sidelining frontline railroaders. Watch "We Went Back to East Palestine: It’s Worse Than You Think" and see how it underscores SMART TD’s ongoing fight for stronger rail safety laws.
Nebraska Reforms Standards for Rail Crew Transportation
We tell our kids not to get into a stranger’s car because they might be a drug addict or a sex offender, but it turns out our Railroaders need to take that same advice when getting into Railroad-provided crew cabs! Read on to see how Nebraska SLD Andy Foust fought to clean up the rules that regulate who can be hired to drive crew vans in his state. SMART-TD is now working to make similar changes nationwide.
Yardmaster Protection Act Introduced
The Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025 has been officially introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed and signed into law, Yardmasters would enjoy the same maximum of 12 hours of service as the T&E crews. Read on to learn more about the Act, why it is important, and who is supporting it in the legislature.
OSHA’s Proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rule: SMART TD Takes a Stand for Rail Workers’ Safety
A federal rule proposed to address heat injuries and illness doesn’t work for railroaders. Read on to see how SMART-TD let OSHA know that you deserve protection, too.
Fight for Fairness: Help advocate for safety in rail and transit
We need your help fighting a "winter flurry” of rule change requests that will erode our safety on the job. Proposals by BNSF, CPKC and an Association of American Railroads proposal are up for grabs. Learn what’s at stake and what you can do today to help
Oberman to TD: Vote for your own future
In a letter to SMART-TD members, Marty Oberman, retired chair of the Surface Transportation Board, details the progress and policies at risk in this election. “The protections of rail workers … depends a lot on whether these important offices are filled by a worker-oriented administration. We will need an Administration that will appoint officials who care about rail workers and continue the aggressive oversight [provided] by the current Democratic-led STB and FRA.”
Crews run blind after CN’s Comply365 app crashes
The Canadian National Railroad (CN) sent their crews rolling through communities without access to essential safety documents after a failed software upgrade. SMART-TD Alternate SLD Eric Stanger told SMART News that “The idea that there is not an adequate contingency plan in place for this is mind-blowing.” If you work for CN, fill out the safety condition report for every incident. The form is available on the SMART App and SMART-TD website.