Transportation News

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

Secretary Foxx says no to privatization of FAA

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx threw cold water Wednesday, July 8, on a Republican plan to privatize large portions of the nation’s air traffic control system. House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) is expected to call for the creation of a [...]

Rail safety alert: crew-induced emergency brake use

Are you prepared to make the decision? How many times have you been a part of a crew-induced emergency? Conductors, how many times have you alerted your engineer to take action to stop the train? Engineers, do you discuss parameters with your conductors for emergency brake ap [...]

Metra conductor not a simple ticket taker

Don’t joke with Metra Assistant Conductor Don Kiesgen that all he does is “take tickets and open doors.” It’s nothing he hasn’t heard from his family already. Sure, the Metra veteran handles those two jobs. There’s also throwing switches, t [...]

DOL seeks nominations for ERISA Advisory Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is soliciting nominations to fill five, 3-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council. T [...]

Peter Neffenger sworn in as sixth TSA administrator

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson welcomed Peter Neffenger Monday, July 6, as the sixth administrator of the Transportation Security Administration in a ceremony held at TSA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Neffenger was confirmed by [...]

FAA: general aviation safety fact sheet

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry are working on a number of key initiatives to improve general aviation (GA) safety: the GA Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC), NextGen is now for general aviation, the Fly Safe outreach campaign on Loss of Control, and the  [...]

Statement by NLRB on 80th anniversary of NLRA

In the 80 years since the National Labor Relations Act was enacted, the workplace has changed in ways that President Roosevelt never could have imagined when he declared that the goal of the law was “common justice and economic advance” for all. Yet his signature so long ago [...]

Nicholas Geale named new chairman of NMB

Washington, D.C. – The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that Nicholas Geale became chairman of the National Mediation Board, effective July 1, 2015.  Harry Hoglander and Linda Puchala remain as members of the Board.  Geale was nominated by President Barac [...]

RRB: new benefit year began July 1

A new benefit year under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act began July 1, 2015. The maximum daily benefit rate payable for claims under this Act increases to $72 in the new benefit year. Benefits are normally paid for the number of days of unemployment or sickness over f [...]

General Chairperson William A. Beebe passes away

Amtrak General Chairperson (GO 663) and Connecticut State Legislative Director William A. “Bill” Beebe, 86, died June 29, 2015. Beebe served more than 60 years as a union representative to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (BRT), the United Transportation Union (UTU) and t [...]