Category: Front Page
SMART TD’S Risch: Longer Freight Trains Carry Safety Concerns
As freight trains grow longer, so do safety concerns. According to an article posted by the Omaha World-Herald on July 2, carriers are looking to increase their bottom line by running as many as 142 cars on one freight train—but at what risk? The article noted that in just t [...]
Former Gen. Chairperson Carlton Graves dies
Retired General Chairperson Carlton Leon Graves, 87, died Tuesday, June 27 at the Franklin County Rehab Center in St. Albans, Vt. Before hiring out on the railroad, Graves served in the Vermont National Guard. He also owned and operated his own dairy farm while employed by th [...]Statement on Rail Accident that Claimed Two Brothers
On the night of June 27, our Union tragically lost two Brothers when CSX Conductor Jake Lafave and Conductor Trainee Stephen Deal (both of Local 600) died after being struck by an Amtrak passenger train just north of Union Station in Washington D.C. On behalf of our entire me [...]
Two CSX employees struck and killed by Amtrak train
Two employees of CSX Transportation were struck and killed, Tuesday, June 27, as an Amtrak train approached Union Station in Washington, D.C. The victims were aboard a CSX freight train approaching the station when an alert instructed the crew to stop and check part of the tr [...]
Minn. SLB joins with NARP to protest Amtrak budget cuts
A few dozen members of SMART TD and the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) joined together Friday, July 23 at St. Paul, Minnesota’s Union Depot to protest President Trump’s proposed budget cuts to all long-distance rail service currently provided b [...]
Retired General Chairperson Norman Lucas dies
Local 1570 member and former General Chairperson Norman J. Lucas, 67, died suddenly June 19, 2017. A lifelong resident of Sacramento, Calif., he leaves behind his loving wife of 35 years, Sheila Lucas as well as two children, two grandchildren and extended family. Lucas hire [...]
Previsich, Risch speak at San Antonio Regional Meeting
Q&A with SMART TD President Previsich at San Antonio Regional Meeting, June 14, 2017 SMART TD President John Previsich answers members’ questions during the closing session. SMART TD President Previsich honors retiree Ken Menges at San Antonio Regional [...]
RRB issues Certificate of Service Months and Compensation form
Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a Certificate of Service Months and Compensation (Form BA-6) for every railroad employee who had creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB will mail the forms to employees during the fi [...]