Category: News
Ninth Circuit Ruling Favors Unions and States, Rejects FRA’s Attempt to Preempt State Crew Law
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Feb. 23, 2021) — Two of the country’s largest freight railroad unions achieved a favorable decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday regarding an attempt by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to preempt legislation passed by a number of [...]
Palmetto GBA: Details about the coronavirus vaccines
While we are coming up to the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus being present in the United States, we are happy to report that Medicare is taking action with the administration of the coronavirus vaccine across the country. As the vaccinations roll out, we are receivin [...]
SMART Celebrates Black History Month
This February, SMART proudly joins with citizens across the United States and Canada to celebrate Black History Month. We honor the contributions of generations of Black scientists, activists, military members, public servants, writers, artists and more who have helped build [...]
Class I’s report 4th quarter and full-year 2020 earnings
4th Quarter 2020 Net Earnings: Increased 5% to $1.5 billion from $1.4 billion Earnings Per Share: n/a – BNSF is not publicly traded Revenue: Decreased 3% to $5.7 billion from $5.8 billion Operating Income: Increased 3% to $2.2 billion from $2.1 billion Operating [...]Local 1381 member, family in need of help after fire
Brother Wesley Welch of Local 1381 (Hammond, Ind.), his wife and their two daughters lost their house in a fire Jan. 30 and are seeking help. Welch, 39, a switchman with Norfolk Southern, and his family saw their home in Cedar Lake, Ind., destroyed and one family member was t [...]
CDC order requires masks on all public transportation to slow COVID’s spread
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order Jan. 29 imposing a mask requirement applicable to public transportation systems, rail, and van, bus and motorcoach service providers to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19. The order implements Presi [...]
Former FRA deputy administrator Bose appointed to again fill post
Amit Bose, who served as deputy administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) during the Obama administration, was appointed to the same post last week by President Biden. “We’re excited to be working with Amit Bose,” said SMART Transportation [...]
RRB: The importance of a current connection for Railroad Retirement benefits
Under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), a “current connection with the railroad industry” is one of the eligibility requirements for both the occupational disability and supplemental annuities payable by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). It is also a factor in determining [...]