SMART BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LOUISIANA NEED YOUR HELP IN THIS WEEK'S NEWS HEADLINES

OUR SMART TD BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LOUISIANA NEED YOUR HELP!
https://smart-union.org/news/smart-td-brothers-sisters-louisiana-need-help/

SENATE BI-PARTISAN PUSH FOR TSA PROTECTION OF TRANSIT AND RAIL
https://smart-union.org/news/senate-bi-partisan-push-tsa-protection-transit-rail/

RAIL MEMBERS: HEALTHCARE OPEN ENROLLMENT ONLINE BEGINS OCT. 1
https://smart-union.org/news/healthcare-open-enrollment-online-begins-oct-1/

Rail traffic: U.S., Mexico down, Canada up in week 37
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/Rail-traffic-US-Mexico-down-Canada-up-in-week-37--49563?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

STB: Class I employment down in August
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/class_is/article/STB-Class-I-employment-down-in-August--49541?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

SEE TRACKS? THINK TRAIN! IN THIS WEEK'S NEWS HEADLINES

AMTRAK TRAIN SPLITS YELLOW CAB IN HALF, DRIVER WALKS AWAY
http://abc7chicago.com/news/amtrak-train-splits-yellow-cab-in-half-driver-walks-away/1510185/

Operation Lifesaver uses car from fatal wreck to drive home safety message
http://wbay.com/2016/09/12/operation-lifesaver-uses-car-from-fatal-wreck-to-drive-home-safety-message/

Here’s what to do if your car gets stuck at a railroad crossing
http://wgntv.com/2016/09/13/heres-what-to-do-if-your-car-gets-stuck-at-a-railroad-crossing/

THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION WILL AFFECT YOUR JOB
https://smart-union.org/news/outcome-election-will-affect-job/

AAR weekly traffic report: grain up as much as petroleum down
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/aar-total-us-weekly-rail-traffic-down-54.html?channel=50

Feds dole out $25M to improve safety at railroad crossings
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/295448-feds-dole-out-25m-to-improve-safety-at-railroad-crossings#.V9f3_nCfo0E.twitter

AAR: U.S. rail traffic down 5.4 percent in week 36
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/AAR-US-rail-traffic-down-54-percent-in-week-36--49471?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

BNSF officially opens Cadet Yard
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/bnsf_railway/article/BNSF-officially-opens-Cadet-Yard--49466?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Indiana Rail Road slates project to improve safety at 321 crossings
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/short_lines_regionals/article/Indiana-Rail-Road-slates-project-to-improve-safety-at-321-crossings--49462?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

SMART TD is all over this week's news headlines

SMART TD, TTD COMMENT ON FRA NPRM
https://smart-union.org/news/smart-td-ttd-comment-fra-nprm/

INCREASING NUMBER OF AMERICANS SEE POSITIVE ROLE OF UNIONS
https://smart-union.org/news/increasing-number-americans-see-positive-role-unions/

What Workers Aren’t Hearing from Democrats
http://billmoyers.com/story/workers-arent-hearing-democrats/#.V9KzBIQSbIk.twitter

AAR: Excluding coal, August carloads down only 1%
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/aar-exclude-coal-industry-carloads-down-only-1-for-august.html?channel=50

AAR: Traffic slips in August, but grain surge is 'the big story'
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/AAR-Traffic-slips-in-August-but-grain-surge-is-the-big-story--49398?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Rail traffic slide continues in North America
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/Rail-traffic-slide-continues-in-North-America--49350?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Buffalo & Pittsburgh workers vote for union representation
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/labor/news/Buffalo-Pittsburgh-workers-vote-for-union-representation--49361

CHANGES TO THE 401(K) PLAN INVESTMENT LINEUP
http://www.smartunion001.org/news/2016/9/6/uhx6qqaobx537i4beilr3m5neiqg12

SMART TD IS SEEKING TO FILL THE POSITION OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ASSISTANT
http://www.smartunion001.org/news/2016/9/6/smart-td-is-seeking-to-fill-the-position-of-government-relations-assistant

Changes to the 401(k) plan investment lineup

LABOR DAY IS IN THIS WEEK'S NEWS HEADLINES

The History of Labor Day: US Department of Labor
https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

BNSF launches faster intermodal service between Pacific Northwest, Texas
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/bnsf_railway/article/BNSF-launches-faster-intermodal-service-between-Pacific-Northwest-Texas--49349?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

FTA issues final policy guidance for Buy America requirements
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/FTA-issues-final-policy-guidance-for-Buy-America-requirements--49345?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Hillary Clinton is right on infrastructure, but more is needed
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/presidential-campaign/293989-hillary-clinton-is-right-on-infrastructure-but-more?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=transportation

Operation Lifesaver issues pedestrian safety tips as the 2016-17 school year begins
https://oli.org/news/view/operation-lifesaver-issues-pedestrian-safety-tips

AAR calls on Clinton, Trump to support balanced regulation
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/AAR-calls-on-Clinton-Trump-to-support-balanced-regulation--49351?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

NEW AGREEMENT AFFECTS RECALL PROCESS

Sister and Brothers,

At the last Quadrennial in May 2015, a motion was made to adopt the “5 day letter” regarding recall from furlough for the entire committee. Recently we sent a pilot agreement to all of the GO-001 Local Chairman for their review. Included was the attached postcard that will be sent to all furloughed employees notifying them of the new options available under this pilot. Not only does this fulfill the motion made at the May 2015 Quadrennial, but we were also able to address several other concerns facing our furloughed members. Specifically, this pilot agreement standardizes the movement and handling of our furloughed members and expands the options for returning to active service.

The other goods news is all of the other BNSF General Chairman representing ground service personnel, have expressed an interest in this pilot. This means no matter which former road property our members become furloughed, there would be a uniform rule for recall to active service. There will be no more guessing about how our members will be handled or if they can return to their home terminal if furloughed at another location.

The target date for implementation is September 15, 2016 but we are hopeful the pilot can start sooner.  You can read the text of the agreement by following the link below.

In Solidarity,

Mike LaPresta
General Chairman

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BNSF & SMART TRANSPORTATION DIVISION

AAR ASSERTS 2 PERSON CREWS "REDUCE SAFETY" IN THIS WEEK'S NEWS HEADLINES

AAR Attacks FRA on 2 Person Crews: "Even worse, the proposed rule may not simply fail to achieve any improvements in safety; it may actually reduce safety..."
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/transportation/292487-federal-railroad-agency-way-off-track-in-approach-to-safety

U.S. railroads post traffic increases in grain, autos
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/news/US-railroads-post-traffic-increases-in-grain-autos--49248

AAR: Grain gains, motor vehicle moves up, oil and coal decline
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/aar-big-grain-gains-cant-offset-big-oil-and-coal-declines.html?channel=50

Sealing tank car manways to prevent NARs
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/safety/sealing-tank-car-manways-to-prevent-nars.html?channel=60

‘Pokemon Go’ players find danger near railroads
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/292484-pokemon-go-creator-warned-about-dangers-of-game-near-railroads?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=transportation

FRA, AAR warn Pokemon Go maker about gamers near railroads
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/safety/article/FRA-AAR-warn-Pokemon-Go-maker-about-gamers-near-railroads--49222?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Washington state sets new crude-by-rail rule
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/safety/article/Washington-state-sets-new-crudebyrail-rule--49259?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter