Transportation News

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12th annual rail reunion and retirement dinner info

Local 240 Chairperson Harry Garvin Jr. reports that the 12th annual rail reunion and retirement dinner for employees of UP, SP, Pacific Electric, Metrolink, Amtrak and AT&SF (Locals 32, 240, 1422, 1770, 1813 and 1846) will be held Nov. 7, from 3-9 p.m., at Sierra Lakes Go [...]

(Video) Al Chesser: A Purpose-Filled Life

Video tribute to Al Chesser, former UTU General President who was instrumental in uniting the railroad crafts under the banner of the United Transportation Union.  (View video)

Panel recommends safety improvements at N.Y. MTA

Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Blue Ribbon Panel studying safety and maintenance practices at its three railroads yesterday announced 29 recommendations to improve operations and safety. Created a year ago after a series of safety-related incidents at MTA [...]

AFL-CIO's Trumka: 'We won't be turned aside'

AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka drew several standing ovations during an electrifying speech to delegates and guests on the fourth day of the SMART Convention Aug. 14. The former United Mineworkers’ president began his speech by addressing the merger of the former Sheet M [...]

Deadly Arkansas train crash cleanup ongoing

An important highway in northeast Arkansas could stay closed into next week as crews clean up the wreckage left from a head-on train collision, a highway official said Wednesday. Two railroad workers were killed and two others were injured when the Union Pacific freight train [...]

Medicare: Consider insurance when traveling abroad

When planning a foreign trip, it’s highly unlikely your first thought would be, “Will Medicare pay if I get injured or have a medical emergency before I get back home?” Many patients think their Medicare benefits will provide coverage, wherever they go. Unfortunately, this is [...]

Railroad man’s dying wish means one last ride

Gordon Russ was a railroad man all his life — and beyond. Russ died last year at 94 in Tacoma General Hospital, where he was born in 1919. A train engineer at heart until the end, he left his four children with one last request. Read the complete story at The News Tribune.

Members invited to join Omaha Labor Day Parade

The SMART Transportation Division’s Nebraska State Legislative Board is once again organizing participation in Omaha’s annual Labor Day parade Monday, Sept. 1, and SMART members from Omaha and surrounding areas are invited to take part. The festivities begin Sunda [...]