News Archive
U.S./ Canada Emergency Legislative Center
The purpose of this page is to serve as an information clearinghouse for clear and accurate information about emergency legislative an regulatory activity regarding the COVID-19 outbreak affecting the general public along with SMART members and their families. This site is t [...]
New Emergency Employment Insurance Benefits Passed In Canada
Below is a summary of EI sickness benefits, EI regular benefits, the new Emergency Care Benefit and a new Emergency Support Benefit for Canadian members passed by the Canadian government. EI Sickness Benefits Workers that have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus or are en [...]
Families First Act Signed Into Law: How This Affects SMART Members
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law, marking the second major legislative initiative to address COVID-19 (the first was signed on March 6 and provided emergency funding relief for domestic and global efforts). The Families First [...]
DOT guidance on compliance with drug and alcohol testing regulations during pandemic
This guidance document provides clarity to DOT-regulated employers, employees, and service agents on conducting DOT drug-and-alcohol testing given concerns about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We, as a nation, are facing an unprecedented public health emergency that [...]
Ferguson discusses emergency request regarding COVID-19
The following article by Dan Zukowski has been reproduced from Trains Magazine’s website with permission. Labor unions representing rail and transit workers have asked the Federal Railroad Administration for two emergency orders to address the dangers in their work envi [...]
RRB: Message from the Labor Member of the Railroad Retirement Board, John Bragg
The purpose of this notice is to update you on how COVID-19 is impacting operations at the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Be assured, while it is not business as usual, the agency remains open for business. Listed below are some of the more notable changes. Last week, my of [...]
Unions write to congressional leaders seeking emergency transportation funding
Dear Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and Leader McCarthy: On behalf of America’s public transportation industry and its frontline employees who operate and maintain public transit and commuter rail systems across the country every day, we urge you to provide [...]
A message to all TD members and retirees from President Ferguson
March 20, 2020 All Members — SMART Transportation Division Dear Brothers and Sisters: I would like to begin by recognizing those of you who, in the face of this global COVID-19 pandemic, are continuing to serve the millions of Americans who depend on us and the services [...]