Jim Chase, North Dakota State Legislative Director of the SMART Transportation Division, submitted the following letter to the editor of The Bismarck Tribune. It was published Feb. 28, 2014. Since the 1880s, North Dakota’s railroads have played an essential role in developing [...]
In another example of the “war on workers,” Tennessee Representative Jeremy Durham (R-Franklin) introduces a bill denying the First Amendment right to free speech pertaining to a citizen’s right to picket. He makes it very clear his real reason for wanting [...]
One of the smartest ways to improve America’s reliance on foreign sources of energy and protect the environment is through energy efficiency. Learn how SMART is on the cutting edge of new improvements in energy efficiency by viewing this video produced by our friends a [...]
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program announces three HazMat/Chemical Emergency Response Training Programs will be held this spring in Houston, Texas. These programs address U.S. Department of Transportation and the Occupational Health and safety Administratio [...]
WASHINGTON – Rail tank cars being used to ship crude oil from North Dakota’s Bakken region are an “unacceptable public risk,” and even cars voluntarily upgraded by the industry may not be sufficient, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board said [...]
Federal regulators issued an emergency order Tuesday requiring more stringent testing of crude oil before shipment by rail to determine how susceptible the cargo is to explosion or fire, a response to a string of train accidents since last summer involving oil from the Bakken [...]
A previously quiet increase in the amount oil moving through Albany by train is escalating into a rather loud controversy. One reliable sign: A meeting at an elementary school on Feb. 12 about the volume of North Dakota crude moving through the capital drew a crowd of hundred [...]
INTRODUCING THE UNION MEMBER ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR (UMAC) PROGRAM On November 10, 2013, union representatives from twelve SMART local unions from around the country gathered together in Philadelphia, PA, to take part in a week-long training program. The training kicked off a [...]
WASHINGTON – The nation’s major freight railroads Feb. 21 joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in announcing a rail operations safety initiative that will institute new voluntary operating practices for moving crude oil by rail. The announcement follows consultat [...]
The SMART Convention will be held Monday, August 11th through Friday, August 15th, 2014 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. We have negotiated a convention hotel room rate of $159.00 per night plus tax. Please mark your calendars.
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