News Archive
Rail members’ input sought by FRA for fatigue survey
The Federal Railroad Administration is asking T&E rail members of the SMART Transportation Division to participate in a wide-reaching survey of T&E personnel on the topic of fatigue. Participants working in T&E roles in either passenger or freight service are high [...]
SMART-TD, BLET file in opposition to preliminary injunction in attendance dispute at BNSF
CLEVELAND, Ohio, (February 8, 2022) — Yesterday, SMART-TD and the BLET filed their oppositions to BNSF’s request for the court to convert the January 25, 2022, Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) into a preliminary injunction. The unions each filed for their own preliminary inj [...]SMART Statement on White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment Report
Washington, DC—Today the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment released a report with nearly 70 recommendations to aid worker organizing and collective bargaining. In response, SMART issued the following statement. “President Biden is living up to his co [...]
Member fatally shot in shooting
Amtrak conductor and Local 1470 (Edmonston, Md.) member James E. Blue III, 43, was shot multiple times Jan. 25 outside a home he was in the process of remodeling while talking on a cellphone to his son, who is away at college. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pro [...]
SMART Statement on Biden Administration Executive Order on PLAs
Washington, DC—Today, President Biden signed an executive order on Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). In response, SMART issued the following statement. “SMART commends President Biden for signing this executive order. It will help ensure that our federal tax dollars spur middl [...]
Hazmat training program offering virtual courses
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is offering new virtual courses in February and March. 10-hour OSHA General Industry Course — This course is intended to increase workers’ knowledge on hazards they may encounter on a job site and their rights. Train [...]
Kansas SLD introduces DOT Secretary Buttigieg, U.S. Rep. Davids at KC event
Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo (Local 1503, Marysville, Kan.) accepted an invitation from the federal Department of Transportation to introduce DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids at a Jan. 28 event discussing the Infrastructure Investment a [...]SMART-TD, BLET seek immediate federal government investigation of carrier attendance policies
CLEVELAND, Ohio, (February 1, 2022) — By letter dated January 31, 2022, SMART-TD and the BLET are seeking review by both the Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Transportation of all Class I attendance policies. In a joint letter to Labor Secretary Martin Walsh and [...]