Category: Legislation
Legislative win means more money for disabled rail workers in New Jersey
Many disabled railroaders receive a fixed income from the Railroad Retirement Act. This can place them in a bind when their property value, and the associated taxes, go up over time. Legislation championed by SMART-TD corrects this problem by bringing a “homestead reimbursement" long enjoyed by social security beneficiaries to New Jersey railroaders. Read on to learn how our local legislative team helped make this law a reality.
Utah abandons Office of Rail Safety, repeal puts lives at risk
SMART-TD's Danny Brewer helped push a bill through the 2023 Utah legislature to establish a Utah Office of Rail Safety. Union Pacific has now “persuaded” the same legislators to gut it before the new office could complete a single inspection or levy a single fine. Read on to see how Safety and Legislative Director Brewer and the rest of Utah’s Safety and Legislative Board are pushing back to protect Utah’s railroaders.
BTAPS expands safety push to all 50 states with new legislative tech
SMART-TD prepares for best-of-class safety legislation with a new tool that allows the union to remix existing laws into new bills. Read on to learn how the new bill tracker will help the Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee create safer workplaces from coast to coast.
Rail Safety Battle Continues in Colorado Legislature
Last year, the Office of Rail Safety was created in Colorado. Now, SMART-TD is pressing for a new law to ensure the office is funded so that it can do the job it was created for: making sure Colorado railroaders and the communities they serve are safe. Read on to learn why the original bill was passed without teeth and how our new bill aims to fix that.
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.
Railroad Retirement Board Announces Enactment of Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness Act (REEF)
The RRB formally announces changes to railroaders' unemployment benefits. This announcement is the culmination of years of effort by SMART-TD's Safety and Legislative Department and will put money directly back into the hands of our hardworking SMART TD rail members.
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.