Category: Washington
New report blows the whistle on railroads who cover up injuries and death
Investigative journalist Topher Sanders released a report on ProPublica today where he reveals how multiple injuries and fatalities were swept under the rug by Class I carriers BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and Norfolk Southern.
REEF Act passes in Senate committee
The SMART Transportation Division is one step closer to closing a federal loophole that has been taking money away from railroaders who are out of work due to furlough, sickness, or injury.
Oberman calls out UP, BNSF for cutting jobs when they should focus on growth
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman has seen some rail carriers cut jobs and neglect their infrastructure in pursuit of short-term profit, and he says there’s nothing to like about it. Oberman spoke last week before the Southeast Association of Rail Shippers’ [...]
NS, SMART-TD, BLET and FRA sign landmark C3RS safety agreement
Joint pilot program encourages railroaders to confidentially report safety concerns ATLANTA (February 15, 2024) – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) [...]
FRA issues safety bulletin on securing rolling stock
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Railroad Safety issued the following bulletin on Feb. 13, 2024, in response to an industry fatality earlier this year. The text is reproduced below: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is investigating an accident th [...]
N.Y. special election — a chance to support Tom Suozzi, who supports our members
Tomorrow, February 13, 2024, Long Island, N.Y., will select the newest member of the United States Congress. With 435 seats in the House, it may not seem that this seat is particularly important to the well-being of SMART-TD members. But it is. Rarely in our nation’s history [...]
NS becomes first Class I carrier to sign onto C3RS reporting system
Joint safety initiative provides employees confidential forum to report safety issues ATLANTA and INDEPENDENCE, OH (January 29, 2024) — Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – [...]
FRA issues final rule requiring emergency breathing apparatuses in hazmat trains
WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced a final rule to improve employee safety on freight trains transporting hazardous materials. The rule requires railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses (EEBAs) for train crew members and [...]