News Archive
FRA proposes safety updates for high-speed rail
Provides new path for passenger safety to be evaluated and achieved; Agency invites comments on proposal WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposed updates for the passenger train safety standards used in the United States as the country looks to add hig [...]
Rail inspection cars used in Toys for Tots collection
‘Tis the season of giving, and in southwest Pennsylvania, historic rail cars rolled through hills and valleys to collect generous donations for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. Nineteen railroad inspection vehicles, decorated for the holidays, covered 40 miles t [...]
GA-46000 lifetime maximum adjusted for 2017
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $151,600 to $157,800 beginning Jan. 1, 2017. At the end of 2001, Labor and Management had agreed on various procedures to adminis [...]
Two CSX trains collide in Florida
Two CSX trains collided in Marion County, Fla. in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 16, causing approximately 20 train cars to derail. Two members of the train crews were treated for injuries and released without hospitalization. An estimated 15,000 gallons of fuel was spill [...]
Risch op-ed: Use rail, not Dakota Pipeline
In an op-ed piece recently published in thedickinsonpress.com, John Risch, native North Dakotan and freight rail operator for more than thirty years, makes the case that the Dakota Access Pipeline is not needed to transport crude oil, as freight rail infrastructure is alread [...]
VSTD benefits increase for bus and rail members
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the following changes to the Voluntary Short Term Disability (VSTD) plans for bus and rail members, effective January 1, 2017: VSTD changes for bus members For Bus Members, the maximum weekly VSTD benefit will increase from [...]
Know the facts before you vote
By John Previsich, President, SMART Transportation Division It is said that two things to never discuss at a family gathering are religion and politics and for the most part that is very good advice. But I’m going to break that rule here–I view my brothers and sisters in the [...]
NLRB: Trump violating federal labor laws
The National Labor Relation Board just ruled that Trump’s refusal to bargain with the 500+ unionized employees at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas is in violation of federal labor laws. Read the complete article here.