The Federal Railroad Administration rolled out a long-awaited proposed rule this week requiring two-person crews on most trains. The rule comes three years after 47 people were killed in the Lac-Megantic, Quebec, train crash (which had a one-person crew) and almost a year aft [...]
WASHINGTON –Today the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published a proposed rule that sets forth the requirements and exceptions for a minimum crew of at least two people on America’s trains. The proposed rule is a major step forward in SMART Transportation Division’s ca [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Collection boxes have been set up at Chicago’s Union Station to accept donations to assist Amtrak conductor and SMART Transportation Division member Dontreal “Donnie” Bankhead and his family, according to Illinois State Legislative Director Robert Guy. Bankhead, 40, a member [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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,” [...]
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 [...]