O’Leary named Alaska Railroad CEO

The Alaska Railroad Board of Directors has named Bill O’Leary President and CEO of the Alaska Railroad, succeeding Chris Aadnesen. O’Leary will start in his new position this Friday, Nov. 1, 2013.  Read the complete story at Railway Age.  

Four elevated to Transportation Division office

Following the retirement of former SMART Transportation Division President Mike Futhey and former Transportation Division Board of Appeals member Don Seyer, four members have been elevated to new International office positions. Following a meeting of the Transportation Divisi [...]

Man assaults women, conductor near train station

OAKLAND — A man who randomly walked up to two women and punched them in the face, punched a train conductor, then pulled a knife on a witness who tried to help, was arrested Thursday afternoon near the Amtrak station at Jack London Square, police said. The 40-year-old m [...]

SEPTA rail members ratify agreement

SMART Transportation Division Local 61 members working at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority recently ratified a new agreement governing the rates of pay and working conditions of conductors and assistant conductors on the regional commuter railroad. With near [...]

AFL-CIO convention addressed issues that affect us

By Bonnie Morr, Vice President, Bus –  The AFL-CIO held its convention from Sept. 8-11, 2013. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers had a large delegation in attendance from both the Transportation Division and the Sheet Metal Divi [...]

Commonality of interests will lead to safer workplaces

By John Previsich, SMART Transportation Division President –  Employment for our members in the transportation industry is distinguished in many respects. Regardless of mode – air, bus or rail – it is primarily an industry that operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week, [...]

Crew members hurt jumping from UP train

The Union Pacific Railroad is investigating after two employees were injured while jumping from a moving locomotive. According to Mark Davis, UPRR director of corporate relations and media, the incident occurred at 2 p.m. Saturday near Kennard. The village is just west of Bla [...]

Local Chairperson Justin Van Houdt dies

SMART Transportation Division Local 313 Chairperson Justin Van Houdt, 34, died unexpectedly Oct. 21 at his home in Hudsonville, Mich., Michigan State Legislative Director Jerry Gibson reports. The cause of death is unknown and the family is awaiting a report from the county m [...]