Category: Transportation
Election Day 2018
This is an important year for the direction of our country, and as we do on the roads and on the rails of these great United States, SMART Transportation Division will lead the way. With your vote comes the chance to shape where the future of the transportation industry will [...]
Former Vice General Chairperson Tom Baker has died
Local 911 (Minneapolis) Local Chairperson Tom “TJ” Baker, 32, died Tuesday, Oct. 27. A 12-year member, Baker had served his union as local chairperson and 3rd vice general chairperson of GO 261 – Canadian Pacific (SOO Line) since 2015. Brother Baker is the son of former GO 26 [...]NTSB identifies causes of 2017 ethanol train derailment in Iowa
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Oct. 30 ruled that flaws in Union Pacific’s approach to inspecting, maintaining and repairing defects on the Estherville Subdivision helped to cause a March 2017 derailment that resulted in multiple tank cars spilling undenat [...]
Resources for those impacted by Hurricane Michael
The following health and wellness resources are available to those impacted by Hurricane Michael. Behavioral Health: United Behavioral Health/Optum: 1-866-342-6892 (toll-free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week An emotional support hotline is available, free of charge, regardless [...]
RRB releases Medicare Part B premiums for 2019
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $135.50 in 2019, a slight increase from $134.00 in 2018. However, some Medicare beneficiaries will pay slightly less than this amount. By law, Part B premiums for c [...]
FTA increases random drug testing rate for 2019
As mandated by its drug and alcohol regulation, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will increase the minimum rate of random drug testing from 25 percent to 50 percent of covered employees for employers subject to FTA’s drug and alcohol regulation, effective January 1, 2 [...]‘Minibus’ bill’s signing provides funds to NMB, RRB
The funding levels that was in effect for the 2018 fiscal year for both the National Mediation Board (NMB) and for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) remain steady for the 2019 fiscal year in the “minibus” budget bill that was signed by President Donald Trump. Th [...]California and Oklahoma have their state safety oversight plans approved by FTA
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Oct. 23 that California and Oklahoma have obtained federal certification of their rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) programs. Federal law requires states with rail tran [...]