Missouri, New Hampshire poised to become right-to-work states

Members in Missouri & New Hampshire: Call your State House Representatives! The state of Missouri recently passed a right-to-work (for less) bill in the State Senate, 21-12. A similar bill is expected to pass in the state’s House as well. If the bill passes in the State House, Mo. Governor Eric Greitens (R) has pledged…


January 31st 2017
Unity Propels Results In New York

With roughly 340,000 passengers every weekday, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the busiest commuter rail system in North America—one of only a few systems in the world that run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. In 2015, its fourth straight year with increased ridership, the LIRR carried 87.65 million passengers…


Driver in collision with Amtrak train could face charges

PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland man who drove his car around the gates at a railroad crossing as an Amtrak train approached could face charges. Derso Mekonen, 56, drove his car around a line of vehicles stopped at a railroad crossing, Friday, Jan. 27, and collided with an Amtrak Downeaster train. Mekonen was treated for minor injuries….


January 30th 2017
Ann Begeman replaces Elliott as STB Chairman

Begeman President Donald J. Trump has appointed Ann Begeman to serve as Acting Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Begeman is currently serving a second, five-year term as a Member of the Board following her recent nomination by President Barack Obama Dec. 7, 2016, and her unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate Dec. 9,…


January 27th 2017
Negotiations update on the National Rail Contract

Previsich Dear members, On December 5, 2016, SMART Transportation Division issued a press release to announce that the unions participating in the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) had requested that the National Mediation Board (NMB) mediate the group’s negotiations with the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC). The decision to move the process forward with a request…


January 26th 2017