Category: Washington
FMCSA releases information about drug-test database
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched a web page that provides information about the Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a database to be launched in early January 2020. The database’s purpose is to track and identi [...]
Social Security combined trust funds gain one year says SSA board of trustees
Disability Fund Shows Strong Improvement—Twenty Years The Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security trust funds. The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insur [...]
AFL-CIO releases annual report on deaths on the job and workplace violence
With Workers’ Memorial Day (April 28) almost upon us, the AFL-CIO today released their annual report on deaths on the job. This year’s focus of the report was workplace violence. According to the AFL-CIO, “Workplace violence is the third-leading cause of death on the job, res [...]
OSHA wants to hear about your experiences with its Whistleblower Protection Program
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that there will be a public meeting to solicit comments on its Whistleblower Protection Program from 1 – 4 p.m. EST May 14, 2019. OSHA invites employers, employees of businesses affecting interstate commer [...]
DOT posts final rule amending drug testing rule
The U.S. Department of Transportation published a final rule April 23 that makes technical corrections to regulations governing drug testing for safety-sensitive employees to ensure consistency with recent amendments made to DOT’s “Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug [...]
Sen. Tester presses Amtrak for accountability while administration tries to cut funding once again
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D – Mont.) recently criticized the Trump administration for budget proposals that would cut funding for Amtrak rural services, especially the Montana Empire Builder line, and wrote Amtrak’s President Richard Anderson asking for accountability and answ [...]
Two-person crew bills advance in Illinois and Nevada
Two-person crew legislation endorsed by our union progressed ahead in two state legislatures late last week. In Illinois, S.B. 24 was passed by the state Senate by a party-line 36-19 vote on Thursday. The state House of Representatives’ Rules Committee has received the [...]
FRA chief of safety Bob Lauby retires
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will have some major shoes to fill with the April 13, 2019, retirement of Robert “Bob” Lauby, the agency’s chief safety officer. Lauby had served in that capacity for FRA since September 2013. He was a frequent presenter at SMART Tran [...]