News Archive
New FRA rules strengthen protections for MOW workers, expands drug & alcohol testing
Separate rules increase protections, add Maintenance of Way workers to drug and alcohol testing policy WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it has issued two final rules to better protect railroad employees [...]
SMART TD contests radio distractions to FRA
In a letter dated May 26, 2016, to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), SMART TD National Legislative Director John Risch brought attention to the fact that some railroads are requiring needless radio broadcasts to the already-congested radio airways, which caused a der [...]In honor and memory of our fallen heroes
During this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, let’s take an opportunity to remember that the simple freedoms we take for granted exist because of our brothers and sisters of the United States Armed Forces, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Learn more abo [...]
AFL-CIO Releases Death on the Job Report
The AFL-CIO released its annual “Death on the Job Report,” marking the 25th year the organization has produced a report detailing the state of worker safety. Regulations have never been strong enough to fix all of the country’s workplace safety problems, but they help nonethe [...]Legislation would make Amtrak spend NEC profits on corridor
Progressive Railroading reported that a bill passed by the Senate last week includes provisions requiring Amtrak to spend its profits from Acela and Northeast Regional service on projects in the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Read the entire story here.
GP: Common issues: The heart of the matter
As is traditional at the start of a new year, our union—members and the organization that serves them—is looking ahead. Continued growth will add to our strength in the workplace and in politics, in 2016 and beyond. In this unusual political year, so much has already happened [...]