News Archive
Science finds that long trains derail more often. Again.
What the National Academy of Sciences found when they studied long trains is not a surprise, but their missing call to action caught us off guard. “The fact that we are seeing a high rate of derailments despite fewer trains underscores the critical risks associated with longer trains. This puts not only our members but also the public in danger.” It falls to SMART-TD to rally the charge for real change.
Amy Carr wins September NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes Award
North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) named SMART Local 276 (Victoria, British Columbia) and International Women’s Committee member Amy Carr one of four Tradeswomen Heroes Award-winners in September, noting her leadership, mentorship and ongoing efforts to make a dif [...]
Alan Shaw out, Mark George in — now what?
Coverage of the leadership change at the helm of Norfolk Southern has focused on share prices and other financial affairs — but what about safety initiatives, the progress made with labor and the business of railroading?
De-escalation training helps conductors avert potential Amtrak disaster
Nathan Hatton learned de-escalation techniques at SMART-TD's 2024 National Training Seminar in July. A month later, he was confronted with a situation which, improperly handled, could have been catastrophic.
Fundraiser established for fallen Local 528 member
Conductor Austin Raysby died while in service for Union Pacific on Sept. 4. An online fundraiser has been established by the union to assist his family in their time of loss.
Kansans demand shorter trains
Ordinary people will act to protect their communities if given the chance, as shown by the massive call for new train length laws in Kansas. Their voices are going to be heard thanks to SMART-TD and the railroad union’s presence at the Kansas State Fair.
Crews run blind after CN’s Comply365 app crashes
The Canadian National Railroad (CN) sent their crews rolling through communities without access to essential safety documents after a failed software upgrade. SMART-TD Alternate SLD Eric Stanger told SMART News that “The idea that there is not an adequate contingency plan in place for this is mind-blowing.” If you work for CN, fill out the safety condition report for every incident. The form is available on the SMART App and SMART-TD website.
RME members: Read and vote on tentative agreements with NS, BNSF, CSX
SMART Rail, Mechanical and Engineering (RME) members will soon receive ratification information ballots from the American Arbitration Association regarding tentative agreements reached with Norfolk Southern, BNSF and CSX on August 22.