Category: Uncategorized
Calls for 2-person crews in response to amphibious vehicle fatalities
The Portland Press Herald reported that as amphibious vehicles (duck boats), designed to traverse land and water, have increased in popularity over the years, so has the number of accidents and fatalities involving these complicated vehicles. Advocates for increased safety m [...]
Former Alt. Bus Vice President Seymour Kramer dies
Seymour Kramer, 70, retired alternate vice president, bus – west, died January 20, 2017. Kramer began his career as a bus operator for Laidlaw Transit in San Francisco in 1970. As a member of Local 1741, he served as president, vice general chairperson, general chairper [...]
Retired Gen. Chairperson William “Butch” Young dies
SMART TD member and former railroad conductor, William “Butch” E. Young III died at the age of 74 on Feb. 15, 2017, in Chino, Calif. Family was his main priority, and Butch was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Carol; son Mike, daughter-in-l [...]
Ohio Republican brings Right To Work to House floor
Source: Cleveland.com, 2/13/17 COLUMBUS, Ohio – On February 13, 2017, Rep. John Becker (R) introduced H.B. 53, a Right-to-Work measure designed to weaken collective bargaining rights for public and private employees. H.B. 53 would allow public sector employees to opt ou [...]
Railroad worker awarded $7.5 million in toxin exposure case
According to the National Review. com, a jury in Madison county, Wisconsin ruled against Union Pacific Railroad by awarding $7.5 million in damages to a former railroad worker for contracting severe illnesses that were deemed directly linked to his longterm exposure to creoso [...]
Los Angeles: bus ridership down, commuter rail up
According to an article posted by LaTimes.com, despite taxpayer support and route expansion, bus ridership with Los Angeles County’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) has dropped considerably over the past several years. Conversely, commuter rail ridership has incr [...]
SMART Union Celebrates Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month in February 2017, read about the groundbreaking inventions from African-American inventors that had a major impact across all American labor sectors, including the transportation industry: Andrew Jackson Beard, born a slave in Alabama, beca [...]
Go Fund Me account set up for fallen Brother, John Schneider
Friends of fallen Brother, John P. Schneider, recently set up a Go Fund Me account that is accepting donations in support of Brother Schneider’s family. Click here to donate. Schneider, 54, of Spokane Valley, Wash., was hit and killed by a Union Pacific train on Tuesday [...]