News Archive
SMART releases new video to help sheet metal members travel for work
As megaprojects, indoor air quality work and infrastructure investment create jobs for sheet metal workers across the country, SMART continues to produce more resources to help members secure that work – in their local areas and across the country. That includes a new animate [...]
UPDATED: President Ferguson appears with U.S. Sen. Brown to discuss Railway Safety Act
SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson appeared with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in Cleveland on Monday morning to discuss the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 as momentum for legislative action on railroad safety continues to build on Capitol Hill. Sen. Bro [...]
Analysis: Lawsuit means shareholders might not be OK after East Palestine
The brutal effects of Precision Scheduled Railroading, better known as PSR, on the lives of railroaders since 2017 have been well-documented. It’s been almost as bad for suppliers, who have seen delays in their products making it to market. It’s been bad for shippers, who hav [...]
FRA issues safety bulletin on grade-crossing shove moves after fatal accident
FRA SAFETY BULLETIN 2023-02 SUBJECT: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing and Shove Movement Accident The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is investigating a recent switching accident that resulted in a crew member fatality. Based on FRA’s preliminary investigation, a conductor w [...]
Second BE4ALL Toolbox Talk promotes “Effective Communication”
The Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) Committee launched its second Toolbox Talk on March 16 – part of the committee’s ongoing work to strengthen SMART and the unionized sheet metal industry by making all members feel welcome, on and off the job. Toolbox Talk #2, titled “Effective Communication,” addresses the important steps that can be taken to avoid miscommunication and conflict on the jobsite
STB approves CP-KCS merger
This morning (March 15), the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced its decision to allow the merger of two of our nation’s seven Class I railroads. The Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) has now been given the federal clearance needed to finalize its agreement [...]
Kansas rail safety legislation needs support
Kansas is a state with a population of only 2.94 million people — ranking as the 35th largest state in the country, population-wise. In contrast to that number, according to the American Association of Railroads’ website, Kansas ranks sixth in the nation for distance of rail [...]
Husband of TD staff member in need of liver donor
The whole foundation of unionism is the idea of putting the needs of other people in a situation similar to yourself — your union brothers and sisters — above the needs of the individual with the intent that things will improve for all through that collective effort. It’s the [...]