Category: Two-person crews
SMART-TD update on state legislative affairs
Last week, your union put out a story discussing the 49 pieces of legislation that SMART was pushing in 17 states. As state legislatures are all hitting their stride in this year’s cycle around the country and focus on rail safety is as high as it has been in decades, these n [...]
New Mexico 2PC bill passes state House, heads to Senate
When the state of New Mexico comes to mind, we often think of the Carlsbad Caverns, uniquely rugged landscapes and exotic wildlife. Soon it may also conjure up thoughts of solid railroad safety and landmark two-person crew laws. On Feb. 20, New Mexico’s state house chamber, k [...]
SMART-TD strongly supports bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023
For immediate release March 1, 2023 Phone: (216) 228-9400 Department email: news_td@smart-union.org “This legislation goes a long way toward protecting American families and communities while fortifying the rail industry to be sustainable and safe long [...]
Nebraska: 2PC and blocked-crossing bills on schedule for March 6 committee hearings
The Legislature in Nebraska’s capital of Lincoln is not known to be a hotbed of activity for rail labor lobbying success stories, but SMART Transportation Division’s newest State Legislative Director (SLD) Andy Foust is actively making moves to change that. In his first week [...]
Ohio members: Support is needed for state’s rail safety bill
Ohio members are urged to express their support for H.B. 23, a rail-safety bill that covers two-person crews, requires documentation of blocked crossing incidents and requires state-supervised oversight to ensure the proper operation of wayside defect detectors. In-person tes [...]
From the Ballast: The unavoidable contradiction of rail hiring
“From the Ballast” is an open column for SMART Transportation Division rail members to state their perspective on issues related to the railroad industry. Members of the union are encouraged to submit content by emailing to news_TD@smart-union.org. Columns are pub [...]
Rail workers rally against PSR, call for better working conditions
The SMART Transportation Division organized rallies in multiple locations Dec. 13 to bring attention to rail-related issues, including maintaining the current safe level of a minimum two-person crew in the cabs of locomotives, paid sick leave for workers and an end to the carriers’ Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) scheme.
UP actions prompt departure from safety program
In a letter dated Jan. 25, the general chairperson of SMART Transportation Division’s GO 577 informed Union Pacific’s senior vice president of operations that the union was withdrawing from any participation in the company’s safety program effective Feb. 1, 2023. GC Roy [...]