Transportation News

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

Leadership reports on UTU finances

Brothers and Sisters: As we approach the six-month point of our administration, we are pleased to report that UTU finances have been improving steadily. When we took office Jan. 1, there were forebodings of financial disaster just around the corner. For sure, there were finan [...]

UTU seeks improvements in bus-driver training

By Vic Baffoni, Vice President, Bus Congratulations to officers and members of Local 1589, New Brunswick, N.J., on a new contract that includes improved wages and benefits. The UTU International is working with members of Local 1697, employed by TNM&O Coaches in Texas, fo [...]

Treasurers: Form 990-N may be filed after May 15

UTU local treasurers are not required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 990-N by May 15. However, said UTU International Auditor Steve Noyes, locals that are required to file IRS Forms 990 and 990-EZ must still file those forms by the May 15 deadline. Noyes said he was to [...]

Our priority is always the safety of members

By Vic Baffoni, Vice President, Bus The safety of our members in the work place has been — and will always be — a priority of this union and its officers. More and more, we are experiencing passenger assaults on drivers. Any environment where a bus operator fears [...]

Our tentative agreement

Brothers and Sisters: Meetings are underway across the country to explain our tentative national rail agreement and provide members the opportunity to ask questions. Check with your local officers, general chairperson or state legislative director if you have not been notifie [...]

Happy 100th birthday, FELA

By Mike FutheyInternational President A railroader’s most cherished workplace safety assurance is the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), which turns 100 years old this month. Railroading is among the most dangerous occupations in America. In an industry that too o [...]

Morr: We are driven to make your driving job safer

By Bonnie Morr Alternate Vice President, Bus When operating a motor coach — whether carrying students, commuters, tourists or the handicapped – whenever we open the door, we are exposed to assaults. We are vulnerable to what we do see, and what we cannot see, such [...]

A paper trail leads to safety

By Mike FutheyInternational President We have been receiving numerous reports of members disciplined following an on-the-job injury. Too often, the injury was the result of a carrier’s failure to correct its own safety hazard or safety violation. But if there is no paper trai [...]

The danger of a ‘no’ vote on the agreement

Brothers and Sisters: In a few weeks, the tentative national rail agreement with the major carriers on wages, rules and working conditions will be distributed to affected members for a ratification vote. The negotiating committee recommends a “yes” vote, and on Ma [...]

MRSA can kill you

By Norman K. Brown, M.D., UTU medical consultant Please wash your hands. Micro-organisms – bacteria, viruses, yeasts – are all around us. Bacteria live especially closely with us, most often in a friendly manner, in the nose, mouth, lower intestine, genitals, on t [...]