Category: Operator safety
De-escalation training helps conductors avert potential Amtrak disaster
Nathan Hatton learned de-escalation techniques at SMART-TD's 2024 National Training Seminar in July. A month later, he was confronted with a situation which, improperly handled, could have been catastrophic.
Crews run blind after CN’s Comply365 app crashes
The Canadian National Railroad (CN) sent their crews rolling through communities without access to essential safety documents after a failed software upgrade. SMART-TD Alternate SLD Eric Stanger told SMART News that “The idea that there is not an adequate contingency plan in place for this is mind-blowing.” If you work for CN, fill out the safety condition report for every incident. The form is available on the SMART App and SMART-TD website.
SMART-TD celebrates Arizona law that protects transit workers
“This new law represents a new day in Arizona. If you put your hands on a SMART-TD member or any transit professional, you’re going to have to face real consequences.” —SMART-TD Transit Union’s Arizona Safety and Legislative Director Scott Jones
New round of hazmat trainings announced
The next four rounds of training through the Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program have been announced for October and into 2025.
New SEPTA operator’s stabbing shows how members’ safety is at risk
Yet another attack on one of our members, this time aboard SEPTA, is reason why the union is rolling out an assault reporting tool for SMART bus/transit union members.
SMART-TD transit union conducts first Bus/Transit Day on the Hill
Our transit safety committee and TD legislative leaders took to the U.S. Capitol to share the increasing risks bus and transit operators face every day.
LACMTA reconstitutes in-agency police force to protect workers, riders
SMART Transportation Division bus leaders get through to the LACMTA leadership. An agency police force will be re-established after board members make a unanimous vote.
Setting the record straight: UP puts on sunny public face while lashing out on the ballast
On Thursday, January 18, the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and its new “All in it to win it” PR campaign were spotlighted in an article from Progressive Railroading. In it, UP’s CEO Jim Vena and his team of executives did their best to paint a happy picture of a thriving compan [...]