Category: News
AFL-CIO TTD: Rail labor will not rest until freight rail industry is fixed and rail workers are treated fairly
The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), of which the SMART-TD and -MD are members, released the following statement on behalf of rail unions regarding next steps in our push forward on reforms to a freight rail industry that is failing its workers and the American [...]
ERMA lifetime maximum benefit to increase in 2023
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $182,700 to $188,000 beginning Jan. 1, 2023. At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to adminis [...]
RRB: Credit for military service under the Railroad Retirement Act
Many railroad employees have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Under certain conditions, their military service may be creditable as railroad service under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA). The following questions and answers provide information on how militar [...]
2022 Tentative Agreement ratification results and next steps
Dear Brothers and Sisters: As you are undoubtedly aware, voting on the 2022 Tentative Agreement concluded yesterday evening at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. I would like to sincerely thank each and every member who exercised their right to participate in this ratification, regardl [...]
A message to veterans from President Ferguson
Today and every day, I always take a moment to acknowledge and thank our SMART Transportation Division members who are fellow veterans of the United States military. Our veterans are a source of pride to our organization for what they have contributed and sacrificed for the g [...]Update on SMART-TD balloting for National Rail Tentative Agreement
ATTENTION: ALL SMART-TD RAIL MEMBERS SUBJECT TO NATIONAL HANDLING Ballots have been sent out to all eligible SMART-TD members for voting on the 2022 National Rail Tentative Agreement. A PDF synopsis of the Tentative Agreement can be found here, and a full PDF copy of the Tent [...]
Appearances with federal officials reinforce that union is labor leader in Kansas
Good labor relations with elected officials can be summed up by knowing that the people who represent us in our state legislatures and Washington D.C. are familiar with our needs and concerns, and that they keep us informed on what is going on in their committee meetings and [...]
Branson, Mo., TD Regional Training Seminar hotel deadline now Oct. 28
The hotel booking deadline has been extended for the SMART Transportation Division’s Regional Training Seminar (RTS) to take place Nov. 14 through 17, 2022, at the Hilton Branson Convention Center in Branson, Mo. Single- and double-occupancy rooms can now be b [...]