News Archive
Alaska’s most-popular shore excursion RR authorizes strike
SKAGWAY, Alaska (July 6, 2023) — SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) Local 1626, which represents operating personnel for the White Pass & Yukon Route (WPYR), authorized a strike late last week. The labor union and railroad have negotiated for nearly six years and ha [...]
Online fundraiser established for family of Local 610 trainee
An online fundraiser has been started to assist the survivors of Derek S. Little, a conductor trainee killed on the job June 26.
Fourth of July 2023: General President Coleman’s message to members
Brothers and Sisters, Happy Fourth of July from myself and the SMART General Executive Council. Wherever you are across the country, I hope you are able to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor with friends and family. This is an exciting Independence Day for our union. Ou [...]
Canada Day 2023: General President Mike Coleman’s message to members
Brothers and Sisters, On behalf of myself and the SMART General Executive Council, I’d like to wish all our Canadian brothers and sisters, and your families, a happy Canada Day. Canada Day commemorates the day of Canada’s Confederation in 1867 – and this year, the holiday arr [...]
Media attention drawn as TD members weigh strike against Alaskan tourist carrier
The potential for a work stoppage on the White Pass & Yukon (WP&Y) Route, a tourist railroad that operates between Alaska and Canada, has drawn the attention of media in Alaska as the results of a strike authorization vote are awaited. SMART Transportation Division me [...]
SMART General President Mike Coleman joins retired General President Joseph Sellers to discuss megaprojects, rail safety and much more
Ahead of former SMART General President Sellers’ retirement, he sat down with General President Coleman to discuss Sellers’ career, his proudest accomplishments, Coleman’s priorities as general president and the future of SMART. “It’s been a grea [...]
SMART-TD takes action to defend transit worker safety
June 26, 2023, was the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) deadline for the public to respond to their Notice of Public Rule Making (NPRM) on forming new Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASPs.) FTA requested public comments on how to keep bus operators safe on [...]
Dangerous air quality underscores the importance of high-quality HVAC systems
Communities across the nation are once again facing a dangerous air quality crisis due to smoke emanating from the Canadian wildfires. As people across North America seek refuge indoors, it is crucial to understand that the smoke and pollutants from the wildfires can easily i [...]