News Archive
FTA announces random drug and alcohol testing rates for 2024
The calendar year 2024 drug and alcohol random testing rates for specific recipients of Federal Transit Administration financial assistance were published in the Federal Register on Nov. 30, 2023. The minimum random drug testing rate will remain at 50 percent, and the random [...]
Buffalo sheet metal worker discusses his “purpose” and pride as a SMART member
The last Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) challenge of 2023 asks SMART members to share their stories in response to the question, “Why are you proud to be a SMART union member?” For Local 71 (Buffalo) sheet metal worker and organizer Andre Mayes, the answer to that [...]
Local 12 retiree tells BE4ALL contest-winning sheet metal story
Local 12 (Pittsburgh, Pa.) retiree Jeff Matthews was recently announced as the winner of the Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) fall challenge, which asked members to answer the question: “How did you become a SMART member?” Read Brother Matthews’ story below: “When I [...]
Your union needs your social media contributions
We need your help brothers and sisters! SMART Transportation Division members and retirees are always welcome and encouraged to contribute pictures, videos, stories and article leads, and with the ever-changing social media formats, we’re ready for them now more than ever. Ou [...]TD members overwhelmingly vote to authorize strike action against SEPTA
Phone: (216) 228-9400 Fax: (216) 228-0411 Email: news_td@smart-union.org The results of a strike vote authorized in October by SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson on the Southeastern Philadelphia Transportation Authority (SEPTA) were fin [...]
ERMA lifetime maximum benefit to increase in 2024
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $188,000 to $195,100 beginning Jan. 1, 2024. At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to adminis [...]
California High-Speed Rail Authority pledges to use unionized labor
CALIFORNIA – Today, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA), which oversees the largest high-speed rail project under construction in North America, announced a ground-breaking agreement with 13 rail unions to utilize rail workers covered by federal railroad labor l [...]Recognizing our women railroaders
The railroad industry has a handful of trade magazines that do a very thorough job of covering what is going on in the world of government regulations as well as technology and industry trends. One thing that these magazines do with regularity is to put out lists they bill as [...]