News
Railroad employees frequently ask the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) how the acceptance of a buy-out from a railroad employer affects their future eligibility for benefits under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts. The following questions and answers provide information on this subject. 1. Would leaving railroad work and accepting a buy-out mean that…
Risch When is the best time to plant a tree? A good answer is 20 years ago, because if you had planted it then, you could be sitting under it now. The second best time to plant a tree is today. That kind of sums up the way our legislative department work goes. For several…
The Associated Press reports that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has ordered Amtrak to retrain employees on basic safety rules after an Amtrak train slammed into a backhoe last week, killing two maintenance-of-way (MOW) employees and injuring dozens of passengers. Loram Maintenance of Way spokesman Tom DeJoseph told reporters that the MOW workers on the…
Amtrak train 89 struck a backhoe this morning in Chester, Pa., just south of Philadelphia. Of the 341 passengers on board around 35 were injured. The two that died were the backhoe operator and a supervisor. Family members of those on board can call 800-523-9101 to inquire about their loved ones. Travel along the Northeast Corridor has…
The March 2016 issue of the SMART Transportation Division News is now available online only. Submissions for the May 2016 issue are being accepted now through April 15. Submissions can be emailed to news_td@smart-union.org. Submissions are also accepted through U.S. mail: SMART Transportation Division, SMART TD News, 24950 Country…