Category: Amtrak/Commuter News
SMART-TD petitions federal agencies for worker COVID-19 protections
CLEVELAND, Ohio. (March 20, 2020) — SMART Transportation Division filed a request to both the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) urging them to issue Emergency Orders (EO) to address employee safety conditions in respo [...]
SMART-TD, BLET petition FRA for passenger rail emergency protocols regarding COVID-19
CLEVELAND, Ohio (March 20, 2020) — On the heels of their joint petition to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requesting an Emergency Order (EO) to address employee safety conditions in response to the national COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the SMART Transportation [...]
RRB announces cancellation of spring pre-retirement seminars because of COVID-19
John Bragg, labor member of the Railroad Retirement Board, issued the following statement on March 19, 2020: Based on the best information currently available and guidance issued by public health officials, the Office of the Labor Member has canceled all Pre-Retirement Semina [...]
SMART-TD State Legislative Boards directed to cancel meetings, conduct mail elections
SMART Transportation Division (TD) State Legislative Boards that have not yet conducted their quadrennial reorganization meetings are directed to cancel their meetings and conduct elections by mail ballot. Taking these steps will assist in meeting the recommendations of the W [...]Rail unions urge FRA to act regarding spread of coronavirus
CLEVELAND, Ohio (March 6) — SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) jointly petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on March 6 to take action in responding to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 (coronav [...]TD president’s letter seeks NCCC’s clarification on industry’s approach to coronavirus
The SMART-Transportation Division has reached out to the chairman of the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) seeking answers as to what the rail industry’s response would be to the spread of the COVID-19 respiratory illness, especially when considering the strict a [...]UPDATED: RRB announces pre-retirement seminar schedule from spring through fall 2020
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced its schedule of pre-retirement seminars for the spring through the fall of 2020. The RRB hosts these seminars for rail employees and spouses who are within five years of retirement. Registration is required to ensure accommoda [...]
DOT clarifies marijuana testing rule
The U.S. Department of Transportation clarified what is classified as marijuana for testing purposes in a release dated Feb. 18, 2020. Below is the release from DOT. DOT OFFICE OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY AND COMPLIANCE NOTICE The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. [...]