Category: Washington
2026 Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Insurance Tax Changes
While the tax rates remain unchanged, the income limits for Tier I and Tier II retirement taxes will rise slightly in 2026. Tier I will be $184,500, while Tier II increases to $137,100. Read on to see how the updated compensation limits, Medicare thresholds, and unemployment insurance rates will affect your paychecks in the year ahead.
Rail Trespassing and Suicide Fatalities Up 70%
Trespasser and suicide-related incidents now account for 50 percent of all transit-related fatalities reported in 2024. Between 2016 and 2024, these events have risen sharply, with major incidents up 71 percent, fatalities up 70 percent, and injuries up 65 percent. The Federal Transit Administration has issued new recommendations for transit agencies to confront this crisis, along with resources for railroaders who are forced to contend with the aftermath of these incidents.
CSX Asks to keep Safety Reports out of the Crew Rooms, Injuries are Up, Fatalities Continue, and Transparency is Down
CSX was granted a waiver in 2020 on the condition they would ensure easy access to accident and injury reports with their employees. They didn’t. They haven’t. And they had five years to get it right. Now they want another 5-year pass to keep these reports buried in an electronic system that, as every railroader already knows, most crew members cannot easily access while on duty. Read on to see how, with our members’ help, SMART-TD shared the real story about CSX safety culture with the FRA.
Long-time Union Ally Mikie Sherrill Runs for New Jersey Governor
If you work in New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill has earned your consideration in the upcoming election. Her voting record and active labor outreach have helped our union countless times in the past. Read on to see how she shows up for SMART and SMART-TD in Washington, and how this will continue if she is elected to lead in New Jersey.
SMART-TD to FAA: Keep Drones Out of Our Rail Yards
Railroaders know that our rail yards are no place for drones or distractions. Read on to see how SMART-TD made our case to the FAA to get these dangerous gadgets out of our members’ workplaces once and for all.
How Does a Government Shutdown Impact the Offices Members Rely On?
As of midnight, the federal government is shut down for the foreseeable future, but what does that mean when it comes to the offices and agencies that our rail, bus, and transit members deal with every day? Read on to find out what you need to know as the latest government shutdown begins.
Overtime Relief for Railroaders Introduced in Congress
When the Big Beautiful Bill was passed in July, workers governed by the Railroad Labor Act were not included in a tax break on overtime pay. Today, September 19, 2025, a SMART-TD-backed bill was introduced in Congress to include us in the tax exemption. Read on to learn more about the bill and how you can help get it passed.
1% Declares War On 2-PC & SMART-TD
Steve Forbes used his publication to attack SMART-TD and our hard-won federal Two-Person Crew (2PC) Rule. He’s pushing the usual agenda for short-term profits over reasonable service or basic human safety. Read on to see SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson’s no-holds-barred demand for accountability. Since Forbes won’t publish it, we’re taking it straight to the American people.