Category: Legislation
Two-person crew effort advances in Virginia
Rail safety legislation championed by the SMART Transportation Division’s Virginia State Legislative Board is on the cusp of landing on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk. The Virginia House on Wednesday followed the lead of the state’s Senate earlier passage of the two-person crew b [...]
Two-person crew progress in Nebraska and New Mexico
In 2023, SMART-TD’s state legislative boards and our National Legislative Department made tremendous progress making two-person crews the law of the land in multiple states across the country. Less than a month into 2024, Nebraska and New Mexico are carrying this momentum int [...]
Our focus is votes, not quotes!
Any of us who has had a conversation in a crew room, locker room or a locomotive about politics knows that there is a 50% chance that things could get awkward in a way that’ll take more than a few minutes to clear the air. When in a 10-square-foot metal box with another alpha [...]
Bills’ advancement in Michigan a step forward for worker assault prevention
The union’s renewed intensity on protecting our Amtrak, bus and transit members from assaults by passengers resulted in a late-night victory for our cause Nov. 8 in Michigan. State Legislative Director Donald Roach proudly reported that HB 4917 and HB 4918, both to enhance pr [...]
Rail labor collectively urges representatives to oppose House THUD bill
The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, of which the SMART Transportation and Mechanical Divisions are members, issued the following letter today, Oct. 31, on the Transportation Housing and Urban Development bill under consideration in the U.S. House. Dear Repres [...]
Michigan bills protecting bus/transit and passenger workers advance
SMART Transportation Division Michigan State Legislative Director Don Roach reports that two bills supported by the union have taken a step forward in the state Legislature after receiving a key committee endorsement. HB 4917 and HB 4918 seek to enhance protections for transp [...]
Colorado legislative update: Rail safety bill before influential committee
BNSF and UP have made a solid investment in lobbyists in Colorado and they’re getting their money’s worth. In 2023, SMART-TD Colorado State Legislative Director Carl Smith put forward a solid railroad safety bill to the Legislature that your union wholeheartedly supported. Br [...]
Kansas secures two-person crews as the law of the land
Making two-person crews the rule of the land in the state of Kansas took an atypical route to the finish line but got there just the same. It has been the goal of SMART Transportation Division Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo for years and it was finally achieved. [...]