Category: News
Airlines and Republicans place profit over safety; seek to cut pilot in-flight training hours
On July 6, 2017, the Chicago Tribune reported that regional airlines are working to reduce pilot in-flight training hours from the 1,500-hour requirement, through a provision that could be attached to the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill. A [...]
Trump persists in ending long-distance Amtrak train service
Instead of working to upgrade long-distance transportation services, and ignoring his promise to invest in American infrastructure, Trump is working to end long-distance train travel. According to an article posted on July 3, 2017, in the San Francisco Chronicle, if TrumpR [...]
SMART TD voices concerns about accuracy of FRA’s proposed locomotive simulation studies
On June 30, SMART TD’s legislative office submitted comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Information Collection Request regarding two FRA research studies on locomotive technology and automation. SMART TD urged the FRA to consider the critical factors o [...]
SMART TD’s Jeff Duris passes away; family and friends express thanks for support
Jeff Duris, a member of Local 322 in Milwaukee, died on Saturday evening, July 1, 2017, surrounded by family, reported Local Chairperson Bob Alba. Jeff was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease on June 19, 2017. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is an incurable and fatal neurolog [...]
SMART TD welcomes two new properties
Recently, employees of the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway and Brega Transportation both voted for SMART TD representation. Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway, LLC Carmen, train and engine service, locomotive mechanics and maintenance of way [...]
TZPR Local 198 benefits from new CBA
Tazewell and Peoria (TZPR), Local 198 (Peoria, Ill.) members unanimously ratified a new five-year agreement June 2, 2017. The new agreement duration is retroactive to November 1, 2014 and goes through October 31, 2019, and provides five general wage increases totaling 14 perc [...]
Obituaries posted for CSX conductors, LaFave & Deal
CSX conductors and Local 600 members Jake LaFave and Stephen Deal lost their lives June 27 when they stepped off a CSX locomotive to check an alert and were hit by an Amtrak train. Jake J. LaFave LaFave, 25, enjoyed spending time with loved ones, working on electronics, playi [...]
National Mediation Board announces new Chairperson
The National Mediation Board (NMB) announced that Harry Hoglander, NMB board member since 2002, has been designated as the new Chairman of the NMB, effective immediately. Read the NMB press release, here: July 5, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD Contact: NM [...]