SMART Union

FRA Issues Grade-Crossing Safety Advisory
The FRA has issued Safety Advisory 2025-02 following several tragic shove-movement accidents, emphasizing the need for railroads to strengthen protections, visibility assessments, and operational practices at passively protected grade crossings. Read on to see how these recommendations call on carriers to improve rules and safeguards, but also to revamp and increase Operational Testing. The post FRA Issues Grade-Crossing Safety Advisory appeared first on SMART Union. — Dec 12
Amtrak To Give SMART-TD Members Holiday Bonuses
Amtrak’s Board has ended its executives-only bonus system and will instead provide $900 holiday bonuses to more than 18,000 front-line employees. Read on to see how this marks a turning point for SMART-TD members, recognizing their essential role in delivering Amtrak’s record-setting year. The post Amtrak To Give SMART-TD Members Holiday Bonuses appeared first on SMART Union. — Dec 12
Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention — General President Coleman responds
On December 11, 2025, a federal judge ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention. Read SMART General President Michael Coleman's statement in response. The post Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention — General President Coleman responds appeared first on SMART Union. — Dec 11
SEPTA Strike Avoided: Strong Agreement Secured
After months of difficult negotiations on the brink of a strike, the members of SMART-TD Local 1594 (Upper Darby, PA) achieved a new tentative agreement with SEPTA. The TA brings SMART-TD members’ benefits in parity with others on the property and protects operators from self-driving transit for the life of the agreement and beyond. Read on to learn more about this hard-won victory. The post SEPTA Strike Avoided: Strong Agreement Secured appeared first on SMART Union. — Dec 11
DC attorney general secures $1.5 million from construction company for wage theft, worker misclassification
On December 9, 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced that “Brothers Mechanical Inc., a construction company that has worked on large development projects in NoMa, Navy Yard, and other DC neighborhoods, will pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that the company and its subcontractors misclassified hundreds of workers as independent contractors.” The post DC attorney general secures $1.5 million from construction company for wage theft, worker misclassification appeared first on SMART Union. — Dec 10

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