Category: Amtrak/Commuter News
Bill enhancing punishment for assaulting transit workers on desk of N.J. gov.
Legislation championed by the SMART Transportation Division that toughens penalties on passengers who do harm to transportation workers has passed both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature and has been sent to Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) desk for his signature. Assemblyman [...]
SMART-TD, BLET suits seek immediate halt to Amtrak vaccine mandate
CLEVELAND, Ohio, (Dec. 9, 2021) — The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) yesterday filed motions for a preliminary injunction [...]
Railroad Retirement tax rates stable; compensation level subject to taxes increases
The amounts of compensation subject to Railroad Retirement Tier I and Tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2022, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. In addition, unemployment insurance contribution rates paid by railroad employers will include [...]Unions counter Metra COVID vaccine mandate
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Nov. 24, 2021) — The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have responded to the suit Metra filed against them on N [...]
AFL-CIO TTD responds to FTA’s NPRM on Transit Worker Safety
The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, of which the SMART Transportation Division division is a member, filed a response to the Federal Transit Administration’s request for information regarding transit worker assaults. Its filing is reproduced below. On b [...]SMART-TD, BLET join to fight Amtrak on COVID mandate
CLEVELAND (Nov. 23, 2021) — The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) are challenging Amtrak over its actions in implementing it [...]
Bill protecting NJ Transit, bus members unanimously passes N.J. Senate committee
Legislation championed by SMART Transportation Division New Jersey State Legislative Director Ron Sabol to protect transportation workers passed unanimously through a state Senate committee Nov. 8. The bill (S-4071) or the Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence [...]
Infrastructure bill’s passage a huge win for passenger rail funding, plus enhances freight, bus safety measures
The U.S. House of Representatives in the waning hours of Nov. 5 passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the bipartisan infrastructure framework, by a 228-206 vote. The bill provides $1.2 trillion in funding for infrastructure, with a [...]