32 injured in Kansas Amtrak derailment

ABC News reports that 32 people were taken to the hospital with injuries after an Amtrak train derailed near Cimarron, Kan., around Midnight, March 14. The injuries suffered by passengers were not life threatening. Amtrak Southwest Chief Train 4 was en route to Chicago from L [...]

Congressional Rep holds Rail Security Summit in Boston

As far as travel goes, five times as many commuters take to the rails than the skies, and in metropolitan regions like Boston, more than one million commuters get to and from work every day by train. Despite the high number of daily rail travelers, nearly all transit security [...]

GC Beebe reaches 60-year membership milestone

To be described as a “classic” means that one is considered to be of the highest quality with lasting value; an authoritative standard; fashionable, with simplicity and restraint in style; one of a kind. Like the classic ‘57 Chevy or the fashionable Elvis Presley, SMART Gener [...]

Members ratify five-year Amtrak agreement

Amtrak employees represented by the SMART Transportation Division (UTU) have ratified a five-year agreement with management of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak). The new pact covers approximately 2,300 members employed as conductors, assistant conductors, yardmas [...]

UTU, Amtrak reach tentative contract deal

After more than two years of negotiations, three UTU-SMART general committees representing some 2,300 Amtrak members have reached a deal with the passenger carrier on a new contract. General Chairpersons Bill Beebe, Robert Keeley and Dirk Sampson represent Amtrak conductors, [...]

Negotiations with Amtrak continue

Contract talks on Amtrak are continuing, General Chairperson Dirk Sampson reports.  “As these negotiations are ongoing and sensitive, I am not a liberty to release the details,” he said.  “My main priority with Amtrak is getting this contract settled,” [...]

Update on Amtrak negotiations

UTU Amtrak conductors and yardmasters are currently in mediation with regard to an amended wage, benefits and working conditions agreement. The UTU and Amtrak are far apart on a few difficult issues. At this time, the parties are exploring alternative methods of interest-base [...]