Suggestion to our members: Keep track of who you’ve come in contact with

As more people are being diagnosed with COVID-19 or coronavirus, it is important to know who you have come into contact with on a daily basis. State health departments, employers and the infected themselves have been having a difficult time in determining and/or remembering who the infected person may have come into contact with in […]

SMART Coordinates with Building Trades, Nurses Union to Donate Masks and Protective Gear 

  At the end of last month, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), an alliance that includes SMART and 13 other unions, announced a partnership with National Nurses United (NNU) to donate N-95 respirator masks and other protective equipment to nurses around the country. “The health and safety of our members and their families is […]

RRB: Coronavirus Relief Act impacts railroad workers

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law March 27, boosts unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad workers impacted by the pandemic. Under the CARES Act, the 1-week waiting period required before railroad workers can receive unemployment or sickness benefits is temporarily eliminated. This applies to an employee’s first […]

Union leaders demand clarification from FRA on waivers

SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy R. Ferguson and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) President Dennis Pierce sought clarification today from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) after the agency granted 60-day emergency waiver requests to railroads on March 25, ostensibly to maintain their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As you are already aware, SMART […]

CARES Act (Corona Virus Phase III) Passes Congress 

Here are the key provisions that will impact members in the $2 trillion package the Senate approved on March 25, 2020, and the House today on March 27. Examples of How the Bill Affects Building Trades Members:   Anticipated real-life scenarios of how the CARES Act will impact building trades men and women (Based on examples provided by the North American Building Trades).   […]

DOL’s OLMS extends LM reporting deadline to June 30

Due to the ongoing disruptions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) updates its March 17, 2020, advisory concerning Title II of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA). Unions, employers, and labor relations consultants wishing to take advantage of this enforcement policy do not need to […]

Canada Passes Emergency Response Act: Details On New Benefit for Workers

After an overnight session, the Canadian Parliament has passed the new COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, ensuring that Canada has the tools and flexibility to respond quickly to the rising challenges being posed by the COVID-19 virus. The Act includes the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which will provide $2000 a month for the next […]

U.S./ Canada Emergency Legislative Center

The purpose of this page is to serve as an information clearinghouse for clear and accurate information about emergency legislative an regulatory activity regarding the COVID-19 outbreak affecting the general public along with SMART members and their families.  This site is to serve as a useful source of information for members searching for the most […]

New Emergency Employment Insurance Benefits Passed In Canada

Below is a summary of EI sickness benefits, EI regular benefits, the new Emergency Care Benefit and a new Emergency Support Benefit for Canadian members passed by the Canadian government.  EI Sickness Benefits Workers that have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus or are engaging in a public health authority directed self-isolation and/or quarantine may […]

Families First Act Signed Into Law: How This Affects SMART Members

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law, marking the second major legislative initiative to address COVID-19 (the first was signed on March 6 and provided emergency funding relief for domestic and global efforts). The Families First Act addresses the domestic outbreak, focused on paid sick leave. The Act takes […]