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
For many Americans, Labor Day signifies the end of another summer, the start of school or just another welcomed day off from work. For those of us involved in organized labor, it means so much more.
BNSF’s managers had a consistently high opinion of how safe the workplace is that they oversee. The more closely an employee works with an actual train, however, the lower their estimation of how safely the organization runs. The FRA report provides a reality check.
FRA nixed an attempt by two Class I carriers and three passenger carriers to be able to shut down critical safety tech for as long as three days. The SMART-TD railroad union’s public comment was a big reason why.
General chairpersons who handle SMART-TD’s Amtrak properties announce that they’ve negotiated improvements in the latest tentative agreement, including substantial wage increases and back pay. The contract will be placed before members for consideration in the very near future.
The Canadian government acted to intervene in the rail dispute in Canada the evening of Aug. 22. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will update our guidance to members as time passes.
Michael Anderson, 78, a retired California state legislative director and longtime assistant state legislative director from Local 1570 (Roseville, Calif.), passed away Aug. 8, 2024. Brother Anderson, a second-generation railroader, began his rail career as a switchman at Sou [...]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 21, 2024) — SMART Transportation Division negotiators have reached a tentative agreement with CSX that would provide raises and improvements in paid vacation and health care if ratified by members. The new five-year agreement will be put in front of T [...]
