Transportation News
Lives at risk as FRA continues to limit its response on coronavirus safety
CLEVELAND, Ohio (April 15) — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on April 10 denied requests submitted by labor Organizations which, if approved, would have provided critical protections for railroad employees during the ongoing national COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, [...]
VSTD NOTICE: ELIMINATION PERIOD WAIVED FOR COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) DISABILITIES
April 15, 2020 As Trustees of the SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan, we have a responsibility to manage your Plan with care and prudence. We are always concerned with maximizing the benefit of the program for you, particularly in your time of need. We believe this ha [...]
S&Ts: IRS extends deadlines for form submissions because of pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced extended deadlines for the filing of certain forms related to union business in a notice recently sent to non-profit organizations. The Form 990 deadline, normally due on May 15th has been extended to [...]
OSHA establishes plan to keep workers safe from COVID-19
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA area offices and compliance saf [...]
Vice General Chairperson to NS CEO: Protect your train operators
The CEO of Norfolk Southern, James A. Squires, recently asked employees for feedback concerning the carrier’s responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic. SMART Transportation Division has been gathering reports about how carriers are complying during the outbreak of corona [...]
SMART-TD, ATU and TWU send joint letter to congressional leaders stating transit worker priorities
[table id=4 /] Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy, and Leader Schumer: On behalf of more than 275,000 transit workers across the country, we are writing to bring your attention to the critical, immediate issues our members face during the current public he [...]
SMART leaders urge full initiation of Defense Production Act
The Defense Production Act (DPA) was invoked April 2 by President Donald Trump to expedite the manufacture and eventual distribution of supplies, especially ventilators, necessary to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The first step in getting the products — including surgical mask [...]
Union leaders call on FTA to set mandatory safety standards, ensure pay for frontline transit workers
April 8, 2020 The Honorable K. Jane Williams Acting Administrator Federal Transit Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Acting Administrator Williams: First, we want to thank you and your staff for your hard work en [...]