Category: Front Page
FRA clarifies “Smartwatch” Rule – Fitbits restricted
The question? May an employee wear a device like a “Garmin Vivofit” or “Fitbit” wristband that acts like a watch, and counts the steps that an individual takes each day? The devices are not searching for the internet, or Wifi, to do this and must be synchronized with Bluetoo [...]
Collective bargaining wins big in Verizon strike
June 7, 2016 The nydailynews.com reported that after a seven-week Verizon strike, collective bargaining and the middle class came out on top. Read the entire story here.
Two days after Oregon derailment, 100 residents remain evacuated
Oregon Live reported that approximately 100 residents remain unable to go back to their homes in Mosier, Oregon, following an oil freight derailment on Friday. Possible environmental concerns arose regarding the Columbia River, as a light oil sheen can be seen floating on the [...]UP oil train derails and catches fire in Oregon
According to The Oregonian, a Union Pacific oil train traveling through the Columbia River Gorge derailed and caught fire Friday afternoon. Although no injuries were reported, local schools evacuated students and nearby state highways were shut down. The train originated from [...]SMART Railroad Mechanical & Engineering Department Bargaining Update
The SMART Mechanical/BMWED coalition held negotiations on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) at Norfolk Southern’s corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia. SMART Mechanical/BMWED expert economist, Tom Roth, gave an in dept [...]Sleep apnea focus doesn’t solve fatigue issue in transportation industry
Singling out sleep apnea doesn’t solve the critical problem of fatigue in the transportation industry, stated Joseph Ciemny, SMART TD assistant Illinois legislative director, at a joint comment session of the Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Saf [...]New FRA rules strengthen protections for MOW workers, expands drug & alcohol testing
Separate rules increase protections, add Maintenance of Way workers to drug and alcohol testing policy WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it has issued two final rules to better protect railroad employees [...]In honor and memory of our fallen heroes
During this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, let’s take an opportunity to remember that the simple freedoms we take for granted exist because of our brothers and sisters of the United States Armed Forces, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Learn more abo [...]