News Archive
RRB begins payment of CARES Act enhanced relief
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act authorized a “recovery payment” for unemployed railroad workers in the amount of $1,200 per 2-week registration period. After making necessary programming changes to its claims processing systems, the U.S. R [...]
FRA extension of safety waivers to railroads puts U.S. through another two months of risk
CLEVELAND, Ohio (May 27, 2020) — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) extended safety waivers granted to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic rec [...]
NOTICE: SMART-TD Locals may meet in June with adherence to health protocols
From the SMART Transportation Division President’s Department: As some state and local governments have begun to relax COVID-19 related precautions, Transportation Division (TD) Locals are advised they may choose to hold regular monthly meetings in June if conditions sa [...]
A Memorial Day message from President Ferguson
While this year’s Memorial Day will be different — the parades may be canceled, the family picnics and social gatherings pushed back because of the pandemic — yet it remains important to pause in respect and in remembrance for those members of the U.S. military who have made [...]
Member giving roadside assistance critically hurt; fundraiser established
Dustin R. Wyatt, most recently a member of SMART Transportation Division Local 1574 (Portland, Ore.), was injured May 18 in a roadside collision in the Bonnet Carre Spillway near New Orleans as he stopped to provide roadside assistance during an automobile crash and is now fi [...]RRB Labor Member: Testing underway, enhanced benefit payments expected in a week
From RRB Labor Member John Bragg: In my last update, I explained that Phase 2 of the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) CARES Act implementation plan was targeted for completion by the end of May. Phase 2 of the RRB’s plan provides for the additional $1,200 per registration p [...]
NJ SMART Army Turns Out to Help Upgrade Youth Summer Camp
On a crisp fall Saturday this past November, two dozen members of the Local 27 SMART Army turned out to volunteer their time and help install ducts and a new HVAC system at Kiddie Keep Well Camp in Edison, New Jersey. Founded in 1924 as a “fresh air focused camp” with the mis [...]
SMART Locals, Contractors Take the Lead In Responding to Pandemic
As health care workers and first responders across the United States continue to face critical shortages of face masks and other protective equipment, SMART sheet metal locals are collaborating with union contractors to produce and donate metal nose strips for the millions of [...]