Transportation News

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Newsday article remembers retired member Brzozinski

Richard Brzozinski, 78, is remembered as a compassionate man and model employee of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in a recent story by Newsday. “A veteran Long Island Rail Road conductor on the Babylon line, Brzozinski made a habit of learning the names of all of his regula [...]

SMART-TD files suit challenging NMB’s decision regarding crew consist

On January 23, 2020, SMART Transportation Division and nearly two dozen General Committees brought suit against the National Mediation Board (NMB) challenging its 2-1 decision which granted a National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) request to appoint an arbitration board mem [...]

Federal agencies announce random testing rates for 2020

Federal agencies have announced their random drug testing rates for the new calendar year. In December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a test rate increase from 25 percent to 50 percent of the average number of driver positions because of an [...]

Virginia state two-person crew bill passes in House, Senate is next

Virginia’s House of Delegates on Wednesday passed H.B. 440, a two-person freight crew bill, by a 61-37 vote, with one delegate abstaining. The bill now moves on to the state’s Senate. “We’ve hit third base,” SMART TD Virginia Legislative Director Ronnie Hobbs said. “It’s goin [...]

Remembering Martin Luther King’s legacy

Today, every member of the SMART union will take time, in conjunction with our entire nation, to honor and remember the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. King’s brilliance, vision, leadership and ultimate personal sacrifice shifted the course of the history o [...]

Two-person crew bill passes Va. House committee

Virginia’s full House of Delegates soon will be considering H.B. 440, a two-person freight crew bill, after it passed the body’s Committee on Commerce and Labor Jan. 16 by a 13-8 vote. “This is a big win — a huge win today,” said Virginia State Legislative Director Ronnie Hob [...]

Illinois TD member seeks support in run for re-election to county board

Matt Hanson, alternate legislative representative and trustee for Local 171 (Aurora, Ill.), is continuing his bid to retain his seat on the Kane County Board. Hanson, an incumbent seeking a full term, is facing a Democratic primary challenge March 18 and continues to build mo [...]

Virginia members: Two-person crew bill to be heard by House committee

A two-person crew bill is headed to the Virginia House of Delegates’ Commerce and Labor Committee and SMART-TD members in the region are asked to come show their support for the legislation. H.B. 440 is scheduled for a first hearing in the House Committee Room in the afternoo [...]