SMART Transportation Division News

05/29/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Baltimore Regional Training Seminar (RTS). This is your last chance to attend an RTS in 2026, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills and add to SMART-TD’s growing momentum. Register today! https://www.smart-union.org/registration-open-for-baltimore-regional-training-seminar/

05/28/2026

Brother John Lynch, Local 1494 (Chicago, IL), retires after 32 years of railroad service and decades of union leadership, leaving a lasting legacy of mentorship, integrity, and dedication. Read on for more about his remarkable career. https://www.smart-union.org/congratulations-to-local-chairman-john-lynch-on-his-retirement/

05/27/2026

Iranian cyberattacks against America’s transportation systems are no longer hypothetical, and growing automation is increasing the risk to critical infrastructure, supply chains, and public safety. Read on to see why transportation workers remain America’s strongest defense and how LACMTA was just the canary in the mineshaft. https://www.smart-union.org/why-are-we-sleepwalking-into-a-transportation-cyber-war/

05/27/2026

Brother Richard “Richie” Hazlewood (Local 771, Needles, Calif.), an engineer for BNSF and UTU/SMART-TD member for over 30 years, was killed in a motorcycle accident on May 21, 2026. Read on to hear how his union family is remembering their larger-than-life union brother and the impact that he left on those who knew him best. https://www.smart-union.org/remembering-brother-richard-richie-hazlewood/

05/26/2026

President Donald Trump delivered a perfectly timed shot of support for the Rail Safety Act, helping SMART-TD get it passed in the Transportation Committee and on to the floor of the House and Senate. Read on to hear how his TRUTH Social message moved the needle for rail safety! https://www.smart-union.org/trump-drops-a-truth-bomb-for-rail-workers-safety/

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

Members of GCA 457 rejected a tentative agreement with CPKC Railway by a 58% margin, with 91.5% voter participation. Read on for certified results. https://www.smart-union.org/gca-457-members-vote-down-tentative-agreement-with-cpkc/

05/22/2026

On this Memorial Day, we at the SMART Transportation Division solemnly honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the United States of America. Their selfless service protects the freedoms we cherish and upholds the values that define our nation. Read on for a Memorial Day message from SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson. https://www.smart-union.org/a-memorial-day-message-from-smart-td-president-jeremy-ferguson-2/

05/21/2026

With overwhelming bipartisan support, lawmakers took a pivotal step forward for rail safety reforms after voting to include key Railway Safety Act provisions in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill. Read on to learn more about what it took to make today's victory possible. https://www.smart-union.org/smart-td-celebrates-historic-victory-for-rail-safety-reforms/

05/20/2026

With two carriers petitioning the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for one-person train crews, SMART-TD is sounding the alarm on what this would mean for rail safety and the two-year-old federal rule that was crafted from input across a broad range of stakeholders, including our union. Read on to see our full response. https://www.smart-union.org/serious-concerns-raised-as-two-short-lines-petition-for-one-person-train-crews/

05/19/2026

During the first half of June, railroaders will receive their Form BA-6, Certificate of Service Months and Compensation, from the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). This information determines whether employees qualify for benefits and the amount of those benefits. Read on for important details that you need to know. https://www.smart-union.org/rrbs-statements-of-service-set-to-arrive-soon/