Train disaster spurs rail vs. pipeline debate

A train disaster that killed five people in Quebec promises to touch off debate over the safety of shipping crude oil by rail or pipelines such as TransCanada Corp. (TRP)’s Keystone XL. As authorities began investigating the explosion of refinery-bound tank cars hauled by Mon [...]

Amtrak barred from rulemaking over freight rails

Amtrak’s role in setting on-time performance standards that could trigger U.S. investigations of railroads whose trains get in its way are unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington today said Congress had i [...]

Court: Ala. discriminates against railroads

 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal appeals court July 1 ruled that Alabama discriminated against railroads by forcing them to pay a sales tax on fuel when it exempts its competitors – trucking and barge companies. The U.S. 11th Court of Criminal Appeals issued its opin [...]

Share your message of union pride, win iPad mini

By SMART General President Joe Nigro –  This article, submitted to the Members’ Journal by James Jackson, SMART’s Director of Canadian Affairs, applies not just to Canadian members and trade unionists, but to all of us in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Share your [...]

DeQueen & Eastern employees return home

Train and engine workers employed by DeQueen & Eastern Railroad voted June 20 to elect SMART’s Transportation Division as their collective bargaining representative. The employees were formerly represented by the UTU, but their collective bargaining agreement was terminat [...]