News Archive
Remembering Those We Lost
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, SMART mourns the deaths of those members who put their lives on the line during this global crisis. It is important for us to work together during this crisis to prevent further deaths while thanking those doing the work to maintain our nat [...]
National Disease Control Standard for U.S. Construction Sites
The North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training released a new national standard for infectious disease exposure control practices for U.S. construction sites. These guidelines aim to prevent disease, disability a [...]
RRB labor update: Unemployed railroaders appear to be eligible for state Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
I wanted to send out another update on what is going on at the agency. We have received inquiries regarding Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) that was established under the CARES Act and whether railroaders may be eligible for benefits under that program if they are not [...]TD leaders meet with DeFazio about carriers’ and agencies’ lax COVID-19 response
WASHINGTON, D.C. – SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy R. Ferguson and National Legislative Director Gregory Hynes met with U.S. Rep. and Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) earlier this week, alerting him to carriers’ inadequate effor [...]
Talking-SMART Ep. 4: COVID-19, Stimulus, Canadian Response, Shipyards and Procuring PPEs
In the fourth episode of Talking SMART, we continue our focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on our members and their communities, and how SMART is mobilizing across North America to help members stay informed and be safe at home and on the job during this crisis. Our f [...]
Update on nose piece requests
SMART sheet metal union members are working with contractors to produce and donate metal nose pieces for the millions of face masks being made by volunteers across the United States and Canada. If you are a member of a volunteer group providing masks to first responders or he [...]
Broad alliance tells White House: Transit workers need better protection from COVID-19
SMART General President Joseph Sellers Jr. and SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson as well as dozens of unions, business groups, economic justice organizations, and local transit advocates from across the nation wrote today to Vice President Mike Pence and [...]
Local 23 mourns death of retired former S&T from COVID-19
Members of Local 23 in Santa Cruz, Calif., are mourning the passing of Transportation Division retiree Domingo Tovar on April 14 from COVID-19. Brother Tovar, 68, served two stints with Santa Cruz Metro as a bus operator starting in 1982, then leaving for another carrier befo [...]