Category: Regulations
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.
New round of hazmat trainings announced
The next four rounds of training through the Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program have been announced for October and into 2025.
SMART-TD, regulators testify that railroads can’t be trusted to regulate themselves
SMART-TD, speaking for the operating crafts alongside agency chiefs Amit Bose (FRA), Jennifer Homendy (NTSB) and others, discussed the consequences of East Palestine and the dire need for new rail safety legislation in the United States. Bottom line: Railroads are not to be trusted.
SMART-TD’s Colorado Legislative Board succeeds again
SMART-TD succeeded yet again in their fight for the Colorado Rail Safety Act, a comprehensive rail safety package that will provide protection for our members in the Mile High State.