News Archive
RRB reminds customers to avoid scams
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is reminding its customers to use caution and common sense to avoid being the victim of a telephone or email scam. Should there be some type of issue with an individual’s account or benefits, the RRB will typically communicate with tha [...]
Local 464 S&T saves teen near tracks in Oklahoma
The secretary & treasurer of SMART-TD Local 464 (Arkansas City, Kan.) rendered medical assistance to a teen who was found bleeding from a head wound on the side of the tracks in mid-February, saving the boy’s life. Jason Schwartz, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in [...]
DOT clarifies marijuana testing rule
The U.S. Department of Transportation clarified what is classified as marijuana for testing purposes in a release dated Feb. 18, 2020. Below is the release from DOT. DOT OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY AND COMPLIANCE NOTICE The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. [...]
Virginia members: State two-person crew bill has hearing Monday in the Senate
Virginia State Legislative Director Ronnie Hobbs reports that H.B. 440, the two-person freight crew bill that has passed the state House, is scheduled for a hearing Monday, February 17, at the state Capitol. “We’re asking all of our Virginia members and their fami [...]Trump budget proposal cuts Amtrak, FRA and shorts RRB
If approved as-is, a federal budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year released Monday, Feb. 10, by President Donald Trump would reduce funding for Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and underfund the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Amtrak, the national passeng [...]
Texas court rules that SMART-TD has to negotiate crew consist
A federal court in Texas ruled in favor of rail carriers this week, directing the SMART Transportation Division to negotiate over crew-consist without regard to moratoriums barring such negotiation. U.S. District Court Judge Mark T. Pittman, a January 2019 Trump appointee, is [...]
Ty Dragoo: Making A Difference At Party Conventions
Ty Dragoo: On Making A Difference By Becoming A Convention Delegate Ty Dragoo is the Kansas State Legislative Director for SMART TD. From roll calls and speeches to flags and ticker tape, the national conventions are usually conventional pep rallies for the two majo [...]
Local 276 Helps BC Charity
SMART Sheet Metal Local 276 in Victoria, BC has been working with a local organization called Hero Work. Hero Work brings together companies and workers to perform “Radical Renovations” on buildings that house charities. Most local charities devote all their finances and eff [...]