Category: Legislation
Bills of importance to TD members introduced in Michigan
The state of Michigan is a great microcosm of the United States as a whole. It has major metropolitan areas, heavy industry, expansive agriculture and a diverse transportation network. Train tracks crisscross “The Big Mitten,” moving people to and from the state a [...]
SMART-TD update on state legislative affairs
Last week, your union put out a story discussing the 49 pieces of legislation that SMART was pushing in 17 states. As state legislatures are all hitting their stride in this year’s cycle around the country and focus on rail safety is as high as it has been in decades, these n [...]
New Mexico 2PC bill passes state House, heads to Senate
When the state of New Mexico comes to mind, we often think of the Carlsbad Caverns, uniquely rugged landscapes and exotic wildlife. Soon it may also conjure up thoughts of solid railroad safety and landmark two-person crew laws. On Feb. 20, New Mexico’s state house chamber, k [...]
SMART-TD strongly supports bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023
For immediate release March 1, 2023 Phone: (216) 228-9400 Department email: news_td@smart-union.org “This legislation goes a long way toward protecting American families and communities while fortifying the rail industry to be sustainable and safe long [...]
Washington’s H.B. 1839 vying to become the first state law limiting train length since 1940s
The state of Washington and its State Legislative Director (SLD) Herb Krohn have had legislative victories in the past. Washington is one of the states that has succeeded in passing a two-person crew regulation into law, with their state crewing law being the most stringent i [...]
Nebraska: 2PC and blocked-crossing bills on schedule for March 6 committee hearings
The Legislature in Nebraska’s capital of Lincoln is not known to be a hotbed of activity for rail labor lobbying success stories, but SMART Transportation Division’s newest State Legislative Director (SLD) Andy Foust is actively making moves to change that. In his first week [...]
SMART-TD update on state legislative efforts
SMART-TD, behind the leadership of National Legislative Director Greg Hynes and Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity, have unprecedented positive momentum in the halls of state legislatures across the country. Our legislative directors currently have bills in [...]
SMART News: Infrastructure investment, pro-labor politicians create jobs for members in Connecticut
From episode 5 of SMART News: Unprecedented infrastructure investment continues to create jobs for SMART sheet metal workers across the country. That includes Connecticut, where a project labor agreement is putting SMART Local 40 sheet metal members to work at Bradley International Airport.