Transportation News

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Memorial fund established for Local 1386 member

The family of Brother Curtis C. McConihay has established a memorial fund for his two daughters. McConihay, 32, of Local 1386 (Parkersburg, W.Va.), was killed in an accident on CSX property in Washington, W.Va., on Dec. 14. He was a U.S. Marine veteran and lived in Southside, [...]

Palmetto GBA: In 2020, RR Medicare ID requirements change

A message from Palmetto GBA: Whether you’re new to Railroad Medicare or starting a new year with Railroad Medicare, it’s important to know about the change to how Medicare identifies you. In 2020, Medicare providers must use your new Medicare number. The old Social Security-b [...]

SAFETY: The gift we give our families that should never be compromised

As president of the SMART Transportation Division and on behalf of General President Joseph Sellers, I want to wish every member happy holidays. We are all one family, and this season is a time when we have our loved ones in our thoughts and on our minds. As your president, y [...]

President Ferguson requests FRA emergency order over air brake valves

SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson has requested that the Federal Railroad Administration issue an emergency order to carriers that train car valves prone to leakage during cold temperatures be replaced and/or repaired immediately. “The FRA and the AAR ha [...]

Detroit-area U.S. Steel mill trims operations, 1,500 jobs lost

The tariff strategy was not enough to preserve the jobs of 1,500 steel workers in the Detroit area who are being laid off by U.S. Steel. The Great Lakes Works in Ecorse and River Rouge, Mich., will have three portions of its operations drawn down with iron and steelmaking ope [...]

Ohio members: Contact commissioners to get GOP reps aboard H.B. 186!

Ohio State Legislative Director Stuart Gardner reports that we need some activism to push H.B. 186, which is comprehensive railroad safety legislation, over the line and out of the Ohio House Transportation and Public Safety Committee. First, he is seeking photos of example o [...]

Member input leads to access to life-saving emergency training

When an accident occurs and one of our members is on site — be it a bus operator or rail conductor — it often falls on that SMART Transportation Division member to provide assistance as the FIRST responder to the situation. The member must assess and relay information about t [...]

Union Pacific reports full PTC implementation on its trackage

Class I carrier Union Pacific announced Monday that it has completed implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) on all federally mandated freight and passenger routes requiring the collision avoidance technology. The carrier still must achieve full interoperability, that [...]

TD Local 1386 member killed in accident

SMART Transportation Division member Curtis C. McConihay of Local 1386 (Parkersburg, W.Va.) was killed in an accident on CSX property in Washington, W.Va., on Saturday. Brother McConihay, 32, was a U.S. Marine veteran and lived in Southside, W.Va., with his wife, Megan, and t [...]

RRB Q&A: Working after retirement

Retirees, and those planning retirement, should be aware of the Railroad Retirement laws and rules governing benefit payments to annuitants who work after retirement. The following questions and answers describe these Railroad Retirement work restrictions and earnings limitat [...]