News Archive
Certifications Open Doors to More Work & Hours
The phrase “lifelong learning” is a common one, but it can be especially important for the men and women whose work—and work-hours— can change all the time. Gaining special skills and certifying your expertise can be a vital mechanism to keep up with— and keep working in—the [...]We need your comments on 2-person crews -Deadline extended to June 15
On March 15th, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a long overdue proposed regulation requiring that most trains in America have a minimum of two crewmembers. While SMART TD supports the core requirements of the rule, we believe that it can be strengthened and im [...]TSA Fairness Act passes House, Great Lakes closer to service
The TSA Fairness Act (H.R. 4549) passed in the House of Representatives April 13. The bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide security services at smaller airports that are serviced commercially. This Act is significant because the TSA curren [...]
RRB announces change in service hours for field offices
Effective at noon on June 1, 2016, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) field offices around the country will be closed to the public on Wednesday afternoons. Field office representatives will not be available to assist walk-in customers or to answer the phones during Wednesd [...]CP withdraws NS merger bid
SMART TD President Previsich came out against the merger in a letter addressed to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in January of this year. “We strongly opposed the merger when it became clear that CP’s takeover of NS would cost U.S. jobs as well as have a negative impa [...]CP withdraws NS merger bid; SMART TD reacts
In a press release dated April 11, 2016, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) announced that it has terminated its efforts to merge with Norfolk Southern (NS). CP has also withdrawn its resolution asking NS shareholders to vote in favor of good-faith negotiations between the two com [...]Amtrak, BNSF sue feed company after derailment
On Friday, April 8, Amtrak filed a lawsuit against Cimarron Crossing Feeders, LLC, claiming “gross negligence” as the alleged cause of a derailment last month that left 32 passengers injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found in their investiga [...]TTD endorses better oversight of curbside bus operators
In a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), endorsed better oversight of curbside bus operators. In there letter, the TTD says “the passenger bus sector must be held to one standard of safe [...]