Category: Amtrak/Commuter News
FRA grants unions’ request for another extension to file certification petitions
CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 5) — Following a second joint petition by the SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on June 3 granted another 60-day extension to time limits in [...]
A message from President Ferguson on the INVEST in America Act
March 20, 2020 All Members — SMART Transportation Division Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today, House Democrats released the text of a $500 billion five-year funding authorization bill that defines their vision for the future of transportation in America, as well as outlines the [...]
RRB begins payment of CARES Act enhanced relief
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act authorized a “recovery payment” for unemployed railroad workers in the amount of $1,200 per 2-week registration period. After making necessary programming changes to its claims processing systems, the U.S. R [...]RRB Labor Member: Testing underway, enhanced benefit payments expected in a week
From RRB Labor Member John Bragg: In my last update, I explained that Phase 2 of the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) CARES Act implementation plan was targeted for completion by the end of May. Phase 2 of the RRB’s plan provides for the additional $1,200 per registration p [...]SMART-TD, BLET announce launch of Information and Communications Technology survey
CLEVELAND, Ohio, (May 20) — The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe), in partnership with the SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), is launching a [...]
Three House leaders reject removal of acting DOT inspector general
U.S. Reps Carolyn B. Maloney, chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Peter A. DeFazio, chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Gerald E. Connolly, chair of the Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, sent a letter to [...]
Minnesota members: SLD issues action alert for state transportation bill support
FROM MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR PHILLIP QUALY: Please call or email our friends in the Minnesota Republican House and Senate and ask them to vote for the House Capital Bonding Bill, H.F. 2529, with all railroad safety and passenger rail service provisions included. [...]SMART-TD 2020 Regional Meeting Called Off
CLEVELAND, Ohio (April 21, 2020) – Unfortunately, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the state of Ohio’s orders regarding distancing and banning meetings, we have had to cancel the 2020 SMART Transportation Division Regional Meeting. Accordingly, ple [...]