News Archive
Suggestion to our members: Keep track of who you’ve come in contact with
As more people are being diagnosed with COVID-19 or coronavirus, it is important to know who you have come into contact with on a daily basis. State health departments, employers and the infected themselves have been having a difficult time in determining and/or remembering w [...]
COVID-19: Quick tip on bleach to buy
Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity shared a tip about the type of bleach that should be used for disinfecting work areas while trying to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Bleach water should be created with a tablespoon of bleach per gallon. The bleach use [...]Representatives’ letter supports SMART-TD petition for COVID-19 safety measures
A bipartisan group of 14 members of Congress — seven Democrats and seven Republicans — pledged support to SMART Transportation Division’s petitions to the administrators of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) seeking protecti [...]
FAQ on Unemployment and Sickness Benefit Flexibilities Under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) during the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
From Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Labor Member John Bragg: As the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) works its way through this pandemic, I will continue to reach out to you, my fellow brothers and sisters, to keep you informed on the status of the RRB and the benefits we adm [...]
SMART Coordinates with Building Trades, Nurses Union to Donate Masks and Protective Gear
At the end of last month, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), an alliance that includes SMART and 13 other unions, announced a partnership with National Nurses United (NNU) to donate N-95 respirator masks and other protective equipment to nurses around the count [...]Red Cross: Urgent Need for Assistance
In a letter to the North American Building Trades, the National Red Cross from across North America are in urgent need of blood and plasma. According to the letter: “At this moment, the Red Cross is having a difficult time in finding places to set up and perform collec [...]
Members’ efforts help to cope with COVID-19
As COVID-19 has spread across the country, some carriers and businesses have been caught flat-footed in dealing with the pandemic as indicated by field reports we’ve received from members. The same cannot be said for front-line SMART Transportation Division members who have s [...]RRB: Coronavirus Relief Act impacts railroad workers
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law March 27, boosts unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad workers impacted by the pandemic. Under the CARES Act, the 1-week waiting period required before railroad workers can receive [...]