Hersman announces slight Rise in 2012 Transportation Fatalities

Hersman Announces Slight Rise in 2012 Transportation Fatalities; Aviation, Pipeline and Marine Deaths Drop February 14 Washington, DC – Transportation fatalities in the United States increased by three percent in 2012 from 2011, according to preliminary figures released [...]

Oil-train boom launches N.Y. environmental battle

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 [...]

Members Helping Members

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 [...]

Freight rails join Sec. Foxx in rail safety initiative

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 [...]

SMART Convention Info for Delegates

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.

N.Y. reps. urge settlement of LIRR dispute

Twelve members of the U.S. House of Representatives have co-signed a letter to the chairman of New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority urging the MTA to reach a settlement with union employees of the Long Island Rail Road and avert a possible strike by those emp [...]

SMART wins election by Brega bus operators

Bus operators employed by Brega Transport Corp. that provide service for Transport of Rockland in Rockland County, New York, have voted for representation by the SMART Transportation Division. Of the eligible voters who participated in the election, 46 selected SMART TD, 21 v [...]

BNSF plans to upgrade tanker fleet after accidents

BILLINGS, Mont. – BNSF Railway Co. said Thursday (Feb. 20) it intends to buy a fleet of 5,000 strengthened tank cars to haul oil and ethanol in a move that would set a higher benchmark for safety within an industry that’s seen multiple major accidents. The voluntary ste [...]

Protecting Workers From Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

Each year, tens of thousands of American workers are made sick or die from occupational exposures to hazardous chemicals. While many chemicals are suspected of being harmful, OSHA’s exposure standards are out-of-date and inadequately protective for the small number of chemica [...]