Category: Leadership Messages
In labor victory, FRA alters conditions of UP variance, now requires U.S. crews
Since 1998, trains coming across the Mexican border to the United States in Laredo, Texas, have been run by non-FRA-certified foreign national crews from Mexico. These foreign crews have been taking trains into Port Laredo, where they receive an initial Class I inspection and [...]
SMART-TD announces tentative agreement with BNSF that addresses quality of life issues and predictability for time off
“Our rail members from BNSF properties definitely had their voices heard in this process and they should be proud to see their fingerprints throughout this outstanding TA. They were very clear that they wanted a level of predictability for when their time off would be honored [...]
FRA awards SMART-TD over $600,000 to fill void in rail carriers’ training programs
It’s easy to levy criticism at the training programs run by the railroad carriers in 2023. But as we all know, criticism is meaningless without action. SMART Transportation Division is doing more than talking about the decline in the quality and quantity of training new hire [...]What TD members can do to support the UAW strike
Brothers and sisters — As the strike action of our brothers and sisters at the UAW moves forward, I wanted to reach out to all SMART-TD members and reiterate our support for the UAW and the goals they are working to achieve. On Thursday, I reached out to our rail members to l [...]Message to rail workers from TD President Ferguson re: UAW strike action
Brothers and sisters — The SMART Transportation Division stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at the United Auto Workers (UAW). As railroaders, we are acutely aware of how it feels to be in their situation. It does not take much of an effort to remember when we [...]
SMART-TD Announces Its Support for STB’s Historic Declaration of Reciprocal Switching
Phone: (216) 228-9400 Fax: (216) 228-0411 Department Email: news_td@smart-union.org “Any time a monopoly is broken up, and competition is emphasized in the workplace, American workers win. SMART-TD stands behind today’s announcement by the Surface Transportation Board. It is [...]
A Labor Day message from TD President Jeremy Ferguson
Brothers and sisters, For many Americans, Labor Day simply signifies the end of summer, beginning of the school year or is viewed as a day off from work. For those of us involved in organized labor, it means more. However, and whenever you are able to celebrate Labor Day, I a [...]SMART-TD Seeks Enforcement of FRA Safety Bulletin Following Fatalities Involving Newly Hired Conductor Trainees
“I’ve got two conductor trainees, both in the same state working for the same carrier whose lives have been cut short. The current condition of all railroad training programs is clearly in need of scrutiny. SMART-TD is not prepared to lose more of our men and women while we s [...]