SMART Nevada State Legislative Board

11/15/2023

SMART Nevada State Legislative Board is entering a new leadership phase. Gabe Christenson will take on the role of Chair & Director, with Leo Palomo as Assistant Director, starting January 2024. Both leaders are dedicated to enhancing and ensuring the voices of our members are heard. We’re on track for a future defined by strong advocacy and continued growth.

11/15/2023

11/07/2023

The staggering profits announced by these rail giants speak volumes about where the fruits of labor are being concentrated. It's clear that the hard work of thousands of rail workers is not just a cog in the machine but the very engine driving these companies to such heights of financial success. Yet, we must ask ourselves: Are those who maintain the tracks, who operate the trains, who keep the freight moving, seeing their fair share of this prosperity?

In today's terms, we're talking about economic justice and corporate responsibility. It's not just about the bottom line on a balance sheet; it's about recognizing that behind every dollar earned, there's the sweat, skill, and dedication of a workforce that deserves more than just a living wage—they deserve a THRIVING wage. They deserve to share in the wealth they are so integral in creating.

To claim that profits stem solely from capital investment and risk is to adopt a myopic perspective that overlooks the synergistic contributions of labor. This narrative is often wielded to rationalize the expanding chasm between the remuneration of executives and the stagnant wages and benefits of the workforce. This issue transcends fairness; it's about the enduring viability of an industry that depends on its workers to be motivated, in good health, and assured of their futures.

Now is the moment for workers to unite in demanding more from the railroads—one that acknowledges their indispensable role in the success of the industry. It's time for corporations to invest in their employees as much as they do in pleasing the shareholders. After all, what is a railroad without its workers?

The profits are there; the evidence is clear. The question now is whether the rail industry will lead the way in setting a new standard for how profits are shared, or if they will cling to outdated models that undervalue the very people who make those profits possible. It's time for a change, for the workers are not merely the backbone of the industry—they are its very heartbeat.

For your information ...

11/03/2023

ICYMI: Thursday's scheduled floor vote on the House transportation (THUD) funding bill is delayed until next week.

The bill contains major Amtrak funding cuts, which rail labor organizations objected to earlier this week:

10/31/2023

The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, of which the SMART Transportation and Mechanical Divisions are members, issued the following letter today, Oct. 31, on the Transportation Housing and Urban Development bill under consideration in the U.S. House. Dear Representative, The undersigne...

10/31/2023

🚉 Important Update: The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote this Wednesday on an appropriations bill (H.R. 4820) that could significantly cut Amtrak’s funding by more than 60% and halt federal support for California’s high-speed rail project. This bill also proposes a cut of more than 50% in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants. Although it’s expected to face opposition in the Democratically controlled Senate, it’s crucial to stay informed and understand the implications of such legislative actions on our transportation infrastructure. Read more about it here:

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday on an appropriations bill that would cut Amtrak funding by more than 60% and block federal support for the California high speed rail program. H.R. 4820, which funds the Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Ur...

10/28/2023

10/27/2023

Tracks of Tomorrow: A Vision for a Bold Transit Horizon in Southern Nevada

In the heart of the Mojave Desert, Southern Nevada unfurls as a realm of boundless opportunity, a tableau where the exhilarating dance of neon lights beckons dreamers and doers alike. Amid the silhouettes of towering resorts and the fervor of roaring stadiums, lies a region poised on the brink of a transit renaissance. Today’s narrative speaks of tangled highways, of moments lost in the relentless grip of traffic. Yet, as the sun casts long shadows over the Las Vegas Valley, the promise of a new era in mobility emerges.

Visualize a tomorrow where the hum of light rail melds with the rhythm of life, where the journey from the bustling heart of Harry Reid International Airport to the vibrant embrace of the resort corridor becomes a voyage of convenience and exploration. Envision the ease as families, fans, and commuters alight at the doorstep of electrifying sporting events, their faces aglow with the shimmer of anticipation.

At the core of this vision is a meticulously crafted transit blueprint, a lattice of potential that interlinks the urban pulse with the serene charm of neighboring towns. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) stands as a potential vanguard of this initiative, its gaze fixed on the horizon of federal and state funding avenues. Yet, the essence of this endeavor extends beyond the tactile—it’s about crafting a new ethos of mobility, one that resonates with the spirit of community and innovation.

As discussions progress, the idea of introducing a rail network emerges, embodying a venture that could knit the fabric of the region into a broader tapestry of connectivity. Imagine a transit realm extending its embrace beyond state borders, becoming a conduit of accessibility that alleviates the strain on our roadways and unfolds a new narrative of convenience.

In the spectrum of transit possibilities, novel ventures like Elon Musk’s underground Loop spark a flame of futuristic allure. Yet, it’s the promise of a comprehensive transit network that holds the key to a high-capacity, high-frequency transit legacy, a legacy that could redefine the contours of mobility in the Las Vegas Valley.

The road ahead beckons for a collaboration between public and private realms, a coalition of visionaries and pragmatists. Resorts, sporting venues, and urban developers stand as potential allies in this transit odyssey, their engagement could propel the vision from the realm of dreams to the concrete reality.

The shift from a car-centric culture to a transit-oriented rationale is not merely a change in habit, but a metamorphosis in perspective. Through concerted public awareness campaigns and incentives, the seeds of a transit-oriented culture could take root in the heart of the community.

Our quest is not merely to ease the burden of congestion but to reimagine the fabric of mobility in Southern Nevada. It’s about forging a narrative of innovation, inclusivity, and progress that resonates with every pulse of this vibrant region. Let’s unite in envisioning a transit horizon that not only meets the needs of today but pioneers the pathways of tomorrow.

Now, the clarion call for action reverberates across the valley. Engage in the dialogue, partake in community discussions, and reach out to local representatives. Lend your voice to the chorus calling for a transit revolution. Let’s galvanize our collective imagination and lay down the tracks that promise to steer Southern Nevada into a bold, sustainable, and inclusive transit future. Venture to forums, attend community transit meetings and let your voice echo in the chambers of change. The moment is now, the tracks of tomorrow await our endeavor.

—Jason Doering

10/25/2023

Reflecting the Railroad’s Heartbeat in Its Oversight

The railroad industry has long stood as a cornerstone of America’s economic and transportation framework, propelling growth and connectivity across the nation. Like any robust sector, it demands stringent oversight to uphold safety, efficiency, and fairness—a responsibility shouldered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and corresponding state entities. Yet, a closer personal examination, through my experiences on the ground, unveils a potential regulatory void.

The tradition of engaging regulators from within the industry rests on the valid premise that firsthand experience fosters a deep understanding of operational intricacies. However, a dive into the railroad regulatory landscape exposes a notable trend: a significant portion of regulators hail from managerial ranks within rail corporations. While this managerial expertise offers valuable insights into corporate functionalities, it may also harbor an inherent bias. Notably missing from this regulatory tapestry are the voices of labor—the very individuals whose sweat fuels the daily operations on the tracks. This underrepresentation sparks critical inquiries: Are labor-centric issues being overshadowed? Is the regulatory perspective unduly influenced by a managerial viewpoint? In my opinion, the current setup does echo such concerns.

Predominantly, the railroad sector operates on a self-regulation model. This approach, while rich in industry expertise for guideline formulation, concurrently births risks. The dominance of inspectors with a managerial lineage, paired with the self-regulation framework, may obscure or marginalize the challenges labor faces daily.

This dilemma is further exacerbated by the expansive reach of the U.S. rail network, contrasted starkly against a modest contingent of inspectors. Despite being among the most extensive globally, stretching across thousands of miles, our inspectorate is strikingly limited. This paucity suggests that numerous potential grievances, especially those voiced by labor, might escape notice or redress.

To genuinely accommodate the myriad stakeholders within the railroad arena—encompassing corporations, workers, and the public—a recalibration is imperative. Enhancing the oversight body, especially with individuals harboring a labor-centric background, would foster a more holistic oversight paradigm. As the railroad sector charts its evolutionary course, its regulatory framework should similarly evolve, ensuring broad representation and heeding the voices echoing from the tracks, thus nurturing a safer and more equitable railroad environment.

—Jason Doering

10/17/2023

The urgency for comprehensive legislation is amplified with each rail accident witnessed. Introduced earlier this year, the embodies a significant stride towards mitigating such incidents. It proposes enhanced regulations for trains transporting hazardous materials, mandates the adoption of new safety technology, and enforces a two-person crew requirement on each train.

However, the journey of this pivotal legislation has been tempered. A notable resistance stems from rail industry lobbyists, who have expressed objections to certain provisions. Their concerns, particularly around crew staffing and hazardous material transportation requirements, reflect the significant sway they hold over safety legislation.

The bipartisan backing for the Railway Safety Act highlights its importance and the widespread recognition of the need for bolstered rail safety measures. Despite this support, the influence of rail industry lobbyists has been effective in slowing its legislative progress. This delay transcends political maneuvering, bearing implications on both public safety and environmental integrity in the wake of rail accidents.

The interplay between legislative action and industry interests elucidates the complex landscape of rail safety advocacy. It's imperative to rally behind the Railway Safety Act and similar legislation, prioritizing the safety of our communities and the environment over the vested interests of industry lobbyists.

Let’s elevate our support for the Railway Safety Act, urging our representatives to prioritize rail safety and navigate through the lobbyist influence. The dialogue on rail safety transcends partisan lines, encapsulating a shared concern for public interest and environmental stewardship.

In uniting our voices, we can foster a safer and more responsible rail industry. Click on the link below to contact your Senator and express your support for the Railway Safety Act. Your action today can contribute to a safer tomorrow: https://smart-union.org/get-involved/voter-information/ #

10/10/2023

With a narrative seemingly spoon-fed by the Association of American Railroads, Derek Cohen navigates the complex waters of rail safety and union advocacy with the finesse of a tourist holding a map upside down. His portrayal of the Railway Safety Act as a veiled attempt to pad union pockets misses the mark by a mile, painting a one-dimensional picture of a multidimensional issue.

I stand as a locomotive engineer with years of railroads beneath my boots, a witness to the harmony between safety protocols and efficient rail operations. The legislation in discussion isn’t a clandestine love letter to unions but a beacon of foresight in a landscape where cutting corners could spell disaster.

Mr. Cohen laments the provision of the act setting minimum crew sizes, dismissing it as an unwarranted cost. He conveniently overlooks the fact that the Ohio derailment, albeit tragic, is but a symptom of an industry that often runs too close to the edge in shaving operational costs. The two-person crew mandate isn’t a whimsical union demand but a buffer against the unforgiving nature of rail operations, where a single misstep could cascade into calamity.

The call for qualified mechanical inspectors isn’t a bureaucratic hurdle but a clarion call for expertise over expediency. The proposed increase in inspection frequency isn’t about red tape; it’s about red flags that could avert the next derailment. The act doesn’t seek to stifle the rail industry with undue burdens but aims to fortify its operational backbone.

Mr. Cohen’s piece leans heavily on the premise that unions are the puppet masters behind this act, pulling strings for self-preservation. This notion wilfully ignores the essence of unions as the collective voice of seasoned railroaders, whose daily grind keeps America’s lifeblood flowing across its vast expanses. Unions aren’t the adversaries of progress; they are the custodians of a legacy of safety and operational integrity.

The op-ed veers off track when attempting to link conservative values with the reluctance to endorse the act. It’s not about political allegiance; it’s about aligning with the ethos of safety, an ethos that transcends partisan boundaries. The modern labor movement isn’t a left-wing machination but a call to uphold the standards that have made America’s railroads a hallmark of industrial prowess.

While Mr. Cohen’s concern for economic vibrancy is valid, sacrificing safety at the altar of fiscal prudence is a perilous gamble. The Railway Safety Act isn’t a drain on resources; it’s an investment in the sustainable growth of the rail industry, where safety and efficiency are two sides of the same coin.

It’s straightforward to draft narratives from the seclusion of a well-insulated office, far removed from the rhythmic clatter and urgent clang of the tracks. But when it comes to rail safety, the devil is in the details, details discernible only to those with grit in their veins and railroad dirt under their fingernails. Our dialog on rail safety should echo the voices of those who live it, not those who merely theorize about it.

—Jason Doering

Politics certainly does make strange bedfellows. On Sept. 26 and 27, the two 2024 presidential frontrunners visited locations connected to the United Autoworkers (UAW) strike in Michigan to show support and solidarity in their campaign for a 36 percent pay hike, 40 hours of pay for 32 hours of work....

10/10/2023

While Colorado’s Rail Safety Bill springs forth as a beacon of hope for bolstered rail operations, Nevada lags behind due to Governor Joe Lombardo’s veto of a similar safety-centric bill this past legislative session. The contrast is stark: Colorado steps forward to champion what Nevada disregarded—a safer rail network for all. Explore the proactive measures Colorado is embracing: https://coloradonewsline.com/2023/10/09/colorado-rail-safety-bill-would-limit-train-lengths-require-more-trackside-detectors/

Colorado lawmakers will likely consider a railway safety bill that limits a train's length and requires more trackside detectors.