Transportation News

Visit the digital archive of the SMART-TD News (PDFs)

Registration is open for SMART TD’s 2019 regional meeting in San Diego

Registration is open for the 2019 SMART Transportation Division regional meeting to take place July 1 to 3 in San Diego, Calif., at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel. Members can expect a full slate of informative workshops and many chances to build camaraderie with your fellow union [...]

Two-person crew bill passes Nevada State Assembly

A bill requiring a two-person crew on Class I and Class II railroads in the state of Nevada passed one house of the state’s Legislature on April 23. By a 29-12 vote, A.B. 337 was approved by the Nevada State Assembly. The bill’s primary sponsors were Assemblywomen [...]

More yard closures to come, Union Pacific COO says

In the carrier’s quarterly earnings call April 18, Union Pacific Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena said that more cuts are being weighed as UP quests for a 61% operating ratio and continues its move toward Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). During the call, the carri [...]

U.S. Rep. Lipinski urges Metra to improve

At a meeting last week involving Metra and suburban Chicago city leaders, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, told the carrier that it needed to step up its performance. “Too often, Metra riders are [...]

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 [...]

Former GC Russell “Dale” Hogan Jr. passes away

Russell “Dale” Hogan, a former general chairperson and retiree of Local 933 (Jefferson City, Mo.), died April 20, 2019, after a battle with cancer. He was 76. He joined the United Transportation Union (UTU) after hiring on as a fireman for Missouri Pacific in Janu [...]

North Dakota locals to hold informational meetings April 30 – May 2

North Dakota locals will be holding informational meetings for their members on April 30 in Fargo, May 1 in Minot, and May 2 in Bismarck. These meetings provide an exceptional opportunity to learn about your benefits and visit with union officers and representatives from the [...]