Category: Legislation

Home>News>Legislation

Assault law ignores Keolis operators, new bill to close that loophole

The law in Massachusetts is clear: assault a public transit worker, and you go to jail. Except, in many cases, public transit is operated by private companies. Boston's Keolis, which employs 426 SMART-TD members, is one such company. Read on to learn what SMART-TD is doing about this.

The East Palestine Disaster Turns Two: SMART-TD Demands Action

Two years after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, laws meant to fix the situation remain stalled in Congress despite strong bipartisan support and urgent safety needs. With railroads prioritizing profits over safety, the call for federal action grows louder as communities and workers continue to suffer. Read on to see what’s being done to push for change.

Sharp-eyed conductor saves two lives in winter crossing accident 

SMART-TD conductor Brandon LaBombard saved two lives after a chain-reaction of accidents at an icy Michigan grade crossing. Disaster struck mid-train, without any indication in the head end. Eagle-eyed LaBombard witnessed the accident and was able to take heroic action, again proving the value of a two-person freight crew.

OSHA: Strengthen whistleblower protections for Railroaders

"We are here to fight for our members... Railroad workers face harassment, demotion, and even firing for reporting unsafe conditions. This must stop, or it will continue to put both workers and the public at risk," Jared Cassity, SMART-TD Deputy National Director of Safety and Legislative Affairs, remarked in a recent meeting with OSHA and the FRA.

SMART-TD, regulators testify that railroads can’t be trusted to regulate themselves

SMART-TD, speaking for the operating crafts alongside agency chiefs Amit Bose (FRA), Jennifer Homendy (NTSB) and others, discussed the consequences of East Palestine and the dire need for new rail safety legislation in the United States. Bottom line: Railroads are not to be trusted.