FORT WORTH, TEXAS – BNSF Railway, one of North America’s leading transportation companies, today announced it has reached tentative, five-year collective bargaining agreements with the SMART-TD railroad union, including the union’s yardmasters (SMART-TD-YDM). The news [...]
What the National Academy of Sciences found when they studied long trains is not a surprise, but their missing call to action caught us off guard. “The fact that we are seeing a high rate of derailments despite fewer trains underscores the critical risks associated with longer trains. This puts not only our members but also the public in danger.” It falls to SMART-TD to rally the charge for real change.
Coverage of the leadership change at the helm of Norfolk Southern has focused on share prices and other financial affairs — but what about safety initiatives, the progress made with labor and the business of railroading?
Nathan Hatton learned de-escalation techniques at SMART-TD's 2024 National Training Seminar in July. A month later, he was confronted with a situation which, improperly handled, could have been catastrophic.
Conductor Austin Raysby died while in service for Union Pacific on Sept. 4. An online fundraiser has been established by the union to assist his family in their time of loss.
Ordinary people will act to protect their communities if given the chance, as shown by the massive call for new train length laws in Kansas. Their voices are going to be heard thanks to SMART-TD and the railroad union’s presence at the Kansas State Fair.
The Canadian National Railroad (CN) sent their crews rolling through communities without access to essential safety documents after a failed software upgrade. SMART-TD Alternate SLD Eric Stanger told SMART News that “The idea that there is not an adequate contingency plan in place for this is mind-blowing.” If you work for CN, fill out the safety condition report for every incident. The form is available on the SMART App and SMART-TD website.
SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson congratulates the American Train Dispatchers Association on their most recent accomplishment by organizing Genesee and Wyoming workers.
Joshua Bates, a member of Local 496 in Ohio, died while on the job of a heart attack. A fundraiser has been established by his union family for his wife and three children.
“This new law represents a new day in Arizona. If you put your hands on a SMART-TD member or any transit professional, you’re going to have to face real consequences.”
—SMART-TD Transit Union’s Arizona Safety and Legislative Director Scott Jones
