Transportation News

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

Calif. governor signs bill placing Santa Cruz members under PERB

On Sept. 2, Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed S.B. 957 into law, thus placing employees of the Santa Cruz Metro (SCM) under the umbrella of the state’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to foster improved relations between public employees and management. The law takes e [...]

Commenting on Rule of 2 a call to action for our members, allies

Most topics divide our organization to varying degrees. It’s a healthy debate that assists SMART to formulate majority-based positions on the many issues for which they advocate on our membership’s behalf. The belief that there should be a minimum of two persons on a train cr [...]

Alert for freight rail members

ATTENTION ALL FREIGHT RAIL MEMBERS: The SMART Transportation Division wants to hear your feedback about PEB 250’s recommendations, and our ongoing national contract dispute! This is a pivotal time in our history, and your feedback is invaluable to helping your negotiating tea [...]

Kansas governor lends support for two-person crews

The governor of Kansas Laura Kelly (D) recently demonstrated her support for SMART-TD members and their safety by submitting comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in support of a national two-person crew regulation. “I am pleased to announce that Governor Kell [...]

SMART-TD, BLET joint statement on Labor Day 2022

The following is a statement from SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson and BLET President Dennis Pierce. CLEVELAND, (September 2) — As we approach Labor Day 2022, our Unions stand at a crossroads. While our normal messages heading into one of the most important days for Organiz [...]

TD Local 18 member killed in derailment

Mario Navarro, 49, a SMART-TD member out of Local 18 (El Paso, Texas), died late Aug. 29 after a pair of rail cars derailed in an accident in Union Pacific’s Alfalfa Rail Yard during a shoving movement. An online fundraiser has been established to help his family throug [...]

Update on PEB 250 recommendations to national agreement negotiations

The following is a joint statement from SMART TD President Jeremy Ferguson and BLET President Dennis Pierce: CLEVELAND, Ohio, August 27, 2022 — On Monday, August 22, the SMART TD and BLET, along with the other remaining United Rail Unions, met with the Rail Carriers via [...]

Class Is release 2nd quarter 2022 financial results

2nd Quarter 2022 Net Earnings: Increased 10% to $1.7 billion from $1.5 billion  Earnings Per Share: n/a – BNSF is not publicly traded  Revenue: Increased 14% to $6.6 billion from $5.8 billion  Operating Income: Increased 7% to $2.4 billion from $2.2 billionOperating Expenses: [...]

Fundraiser established for GC’s cancer fight

General Chairperson Craig Patch (GCA-TMM) is facing a diagnosis of brain cancer and a fundraiser has been established to help him and his family through a difficult time. LCA-TMM Secretary Michael Jenkins said Brother Patch faces a treatment period of a year to 18 months. He [...]

Safety alert issued after tripwires found in Missouri

A safety alert was issued this week after the discovery of tripwires by a Class I worker Aug. 19 stretching from rail spikes to a sign across the ballast near Harrisonville, Mo. “The affixing of these wires – difficult to find even when looking for them, much less see w [...]