Transportation News

Visit the digital archive of the SMART-TD News (PDFs)

FRA issues safety advisory on long trains

On April 27, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose issued a safety advisory regarding carriers’ operation of longer trains. The recommendations by FRA include that carriers review theiroperating rules and existing locomotive engineer certification prog [...]

Lasting legacy of late VP and GC receives member ratification 

SMART-TD General Committee of Adjustment 261 representing our members working on the CP-SOO property were dealt a blow when General Chairperson Gerald Wallace passed away July 16th. Less than two weeks later, on July 27, Vice President John (J.D.) Whitaker III, who served as [...]

SMART endorses President Joe Biden for second term

On May 23, 2023, the SMART General Executive Council (GEC) voted to endorse United States President Joe Biden for a second term. The GEC is elected by members of SMART local unions. SMART workers will join fellow union members in Philadelphia on June 17 for an endorsemen [...]

Kansas secures two-person crews as the law of the land

Making two-person crews the rule of the land in the state of Kansas took an atypical route to the finish line but got there just the same. It has been the goal of SMART Transportation Division Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo for years and it was finally achieved. [...]

SMART-TD reaches tentative agreement with White Pass Yukon Route

SKAGWAY, Alaska (July 25, 2023) — White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (WP&YR) and the SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached between the railroad and the union for WP&YR’s train and engine workers [...]

DIPP trustees announce benefit improvements

The trustees of the SMART Discipline Income Protection Program (DIPP) are pleased to announce additional improvements to the program in addition to the reduction of assessments that take effect Aug. 1. Due to the strong health of the program and positive claims experiences re [...]

House budget votes place Amtrak in the crosshairs

While Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) dollars are being allocated by the U.S. Department of Transportation to distribute to commuter and passenger rail projects as well as to transit agencies recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. House Appropriations T [...]