Transportation News

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

Alt. National Legislative Director Cassity chosen for TSA advisory role

SMART Transportation Division Alt. National Legislative Director and TD National Safety Team Director Jared Cassity has been appointed to serve as a voting member on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee (STSAC). B [...]

Unions counter Metra COVID vaccine mandate

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Nov. 24, 2021) — The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have responded to the suit Metra filed against them on N [...]

AFL-CIO TTD responds to FTA’s NPRM on Transit Worker Safety

The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, of which the SMART Transportation Division division is a member, filed a response to the Federal Transit Administration’s request for information regarding transit worker assaults. Its filing is reproduced below. On b [...]

SMART-TD, BLET join to fight Amtrak on COVID mandate

CLEVELAND (Nov. 23, 2021) — The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) are challenging Amtrak over its actions in implementing it [...]

Daughter of TD Local 1558 president establishes fundraiser for mother

A union sister is trying to help the most important woman in her life receive the care she needs after two devastating strokes. Member Jenell Rose of Local 1558 (Bergenfield, N.J.) has started an online fundraiser after her mother Kecia Jordan, the president of Local 1558, ha [...]

PSR’s role in supply-chain problems ignored in Examiner piece

The takeaway from a Washington Examiner article published Nov. 16 regarding recent supply-chain snarls is that rail labor’s desire to maintain the current standard level of personnel — a certified conductor and a certified engineer — aboard the monster freight trains brought [...]

RRB: Medicare Part B premiums for 2022

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $170.10 in 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021. Some Medicare beneficiaries may pay less than this amount because, by law, Part B premiums for cu [...]

Vaccine cases consolidated in Illinois court

On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge John Lee consolidated multiple lawsuits that had been filed in the Illinois federal court, including ones by SMART Transportation Division and two other railroad unions challenging two Class I carriers’ implementation of coronavirus vac [...]

SMART Applauds U.S. House Passage of Build Back Better Act

Washington, DC—Today the House passed the Build Back Better Act. In response, SMART issued the following statement. “We commend the House for passing the Build Back Better Act. This legislation is a monumental investment in American families, will revitalize our economy and c [...]

ERMA LIFETIME MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO INCREASE IN 2022

The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $175,700 to $182,700 beginning Jan. 1, 2022. At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to adminis [...]