GP Sellers February Video Message: Our Meeting With President Trump

GP Sellers Discusses Recent Meeting With President Trump

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GO FUND ME ACCOUNT SET UP FOR FALLEN BROTHER, JOHN SCHNEIDER

Friends of fallen Brother, John P. Schneider, recently set up a Go Fund Me account that is accepting donations in support of Brother Schneider’s family.

Click here to donate.

Schneider, 54, of Spokane Valley, Wash., was hit and killed by a Union Pacific train on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The accident occurred near the Wallula train yard in Walla Walla County, Wash. No one else was injured in the accident.

Schneider had been a member of Local 1505 in Spokane, Wash., since 2004. SMART TD extends their condolences to the Schneider family, friends and members of Local 1505.

Information about funeral arrangements will be posted as it is available.

Click here to read more from KEPRtv.com Action News.

Have You Considered Running for Public Office?

Dear Members, Have you or a family member ever considered running for public office? If so, SMART Transportation Division’s National Legislative Office would like to hear from you. We have the resources available that can help you run a successful campaign. From coast-to-coast, SMART -TD members, retirees and family serve their community in elected office. And while some might consider their chance a long shot, SMART-TD currently has three members serving in their state legislature, including the current Speaker Pro-Tem of the Iowa House of Representatives. Aside from the state legislature, we also have scores of TD members or retirees who serve on city councils, county commissions and school boards. And if there is one thing we need more of, it’s elected officials with integrity who support our values. Serving your community in an elected capacity allows you to tell voters the story of public transportation, rail and labor. As an elected official, you will wear an additional hat where you can communicate directly with other elected officials about the importance of transportation safety, infrastructure and jobs in an effort to expand its future in America. Bottom line, when you run, all members win. There is a lot the National Legislative Office can do to help with your election prospects. We want to be here to give you the tools so you or family members are in positon to WIN! We can match you with a mentor, help with campaign strategy, conduct research or possibly contribute the financial resources necessary to help seed the campaign. If you are ready to take the next step, do not hesitate to contact me.

In solidarity,

John Risch National Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division

Stop the National "Right to Freeload" Bill

They still promise good, high paying jobs, but, unfortunately, the Republican majority in Congress introduced a national "right to work" (RTW) bill –targeting not just jobs protected by the National Labor Relations Act, but members covered under the National Railway Act, as well.

Click here to tell your members of Congress you oppose this attempt at taking the "right to freeload" nationwide.

TWO FREIGHT TRAINS COLLIDED NORTH OF OCALA

2 trains collide, derail in central Florida

By Ralph Ellis, CNN

Updated 11:35 AM ET, Wed November 16, 2016

Trains derail in central Florida 00:49

(CNN)Two CSX trains derailed after colliding Wednesday morning in central Florida, the Marion County Sheriff's Office and CSX said.

Two crew members were treated for minor injuries in the 4:15 a.m. collision at a crossing near Citra, about 25 miles north of Ocala, CSX spokeswoman Kristin Seay said.

One of the trains was carrying nonhazardous phosphate rock; the second was transporting coal, Seay said.

CSX is trying to determine if fuel was released from the locomotives and has sent environmental crews to contain any possible spill.

Some 20 cars derailed early Wednesday north of Citra, Florida, the Marion County Sheriff's Office says.

The cause of the crash has not been determined, but CSX is investigating.

The sheriff's office said some 20 cars derailed. CSX said it's working to determine how many cars were involved.

Two crew members have been treated for minor injuries, a CSX spokeswoman says.

The phosphate train was traveling from Mulberry, Florida, to Chicago with three locomotives and 100 loaded phosphate cars, CSX said. The coal train was going from Pembroke, Kentucky, to Tampa with three locomotives and 110 loaded cars of coal.

CNN's Shawn Nottingham contributed to this report.

SMART-TD Member Survey

Dear  Members, Below you will find a link to an online survey that is being conducted by DFM Research for the National Legislative Office of SMART Transportation Division. Only the final results of everyone who participated will be forwarded to the National Legislative Office (individual response will remain 100 percent anonymous). The survey touches on several important issues facing members, including rail safety, two-person crew regulation/legislation and the upcoming election. If you choose to participate, I ask only for your honest views. Your participation will help shape our 2017 legislative agenda. I thank you in advance for your help. Survey

Sincerely,

John Risch National Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division

Legislation looks to address TSA holes in surface transportation security

 

A canine team searches an Amtrak train.Department of Homeland Security

Written by  Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

A new piece of legislation, S. 3379, the Surface Transportation and Maritime Security Act, aims to shore up holes found in the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) approach to transportation safety.

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who serve as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, along with Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) who serve as the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, introduced the bill that they say "addresses deficiencies in the TSA's efforts to protect rail, transit, highway and maritime passenger and freight transportation identified through congressional oversight and a recent report by the Department of Homeland Security inspector general."

The senators say the legislation is intended to address concerns, underscored by recent attacks on transit stations in Western Europe and New Jersey, that TSA is not adequately positioned to identify security risks across different modes of transportation, serve as a source of intelligence or as a training and best practices resource for federal, state, local and private transportation security. The group cites TSA's congressional testimony that it uses only three percent of its budget on surface transportation security.

The senators say the bill would enhance risk-based security planning by requiring the TSA administrator to conduct a risk analysis and implement a risk-based security model for surface transportation facilities and mandate risk-based budgeting for surface transportation security focusing resources on current threats with annual reviews of program effectiveness.

The bill would authorize as many as 70 additional canine explosive detection teams for surface transportation, which could then be increased to 200 based on review and implementation recommendations. The legislation borrows oversights implemented in the aviation industry in a bid to increase transparency and includes actions aimed at reforming port security and Transportation Worker Identification Credentials.

Concerning passenger rail security, the senators say the bill would authorize the use of computerized vetting systems for passenger rail at the request of Amtrak police and the Amtrak Board of Directors and allow grant funding to be used to enhance passenger manifest data so that rail passengers can be identified in case of emergency.

"TSA has broad responsibilities for transportation security, but oversight and independent audits have raised considerable concern about its approach to protecting rail, transit, maritime, and highway travelers," said Sen. Thune. "This legislation addresses gaps in TSA's approach to assessing security risks and will help the agency better fulfill its role as a hub of analysis, planning and information."

Al Chesser 1914-2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters: It is with great sadness that I’m reporting that yesterday a great leader in our union and a great leader in the labor movement Al Chesser passed away at the age of 102. Al not only served as our union’s president but spent most of his union career in our Legislative Department where he rose to serve as our National Legislative Director, an office I’m now honored to hold. Al was a personal inspiration to me.  I read the book about him “Making Tracks” in the 1980s while I was a young state legislative director and it helped me be a more effective representative of UTU. Our office building in Washington, DC is rightfully named in his honor because of the work that he did for our members.  I have a large picture of Al hanging in my office as a constant reminder of his service and as an inspiration of what we can do as a union. This link below is a 6 minute YouTube video about his service to our union.  Please take the time to watch it and be thankful to Al for his remarkable service for leading our members through some very challenging times. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=-1BllRnhizk

Sincerely,

John Risch National Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division

Members Make the Difference

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Recently, Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas – one of the most conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives – cosponsored our two-person crew legislation, H.R. 1763, the Safe Freight Act. This show of support follows cosponsorship from Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Both are considered among the most conservative Members of Congress. Why did Rep. Gohmert sign onto the bill? The simple answer is that one of our members asked him to. General Chairman Steve Simpson’s office is located near Rep. Gohmert’s, and Steve decided to set up a meeting to engage the Congressman on our issues, including the need for two-person crews on all trains. Steve didn’t shy away because Rep. Gohmert is a conservative Republican; no, Steve’s attitude was that “this is my Congressman, and I will request a meeting.” They talked for more than an hour and Steve convinced this very conservative Republican that the only safe way to operate a train is with a crew of at least two people. Arizona State Director Scott Jones lives in Congressman Franks’ district and decided to set up a meeting with his Congressman. Scott brought along a retired engineer who attends the same church as Congressman Franks and whose children attend bible study taught by the Congressman. Hearing from a trusted friend proved extremely effective as Congressman Franks came out of the meeting understanding the importance of two-person crews and became a cosponsor of H.R. 1763. Last year, one of our bus members, Socorro Cisneros-Hernandez, had an upcoming meeting with Republican Congressman Paul Cook of California and contacted our office looking for talking points on our legislative priorities. Ms. Cisneros used the information we provided and had a very productive meeting with Congressman Cook, after which he agreed to cosponsor the Safe Freight Act. Most recently, Greg Hynes and I met with another conservative Republican, Ryan Zinke of Montana. After a robust discussion about the two-person crew legislation, Congressman Zinke agreed to sign on as a cosponsor. The lesson from all of these cases is that every member of Congress, regardless of party or ideology, should be viewed as a potential cosponsor of H.R. 1763. Our Washington team will continue to do our part, but when it comes to issues that some Members of Congress may not be naturally inclined to support, our members – their constituents – are the ones who can make the most effective case. To do your part, work with your state director to set up a meeting with your Representative to ask that they cosponsor H.R. 1763. We can provide you with handouts and other materials to help. Our recent comments on the FRA’s crew size rule are a good source of information on this issue. If you do not know who your state director is, a list can be found attached to this email. If we are going to succeed in passing this bill, we need to be engaged at the local level. Special thanks to Brothers Steve Simpson, Scott Jones and Sister Socorro Cisneros-Hernandez for stepping up to the plate and taking the initiative in getting these new cosponsors. Lastly, please visit the Legislative Action Center to contact your Representative about the Safe Freight Act and ask your coworkers to do the same.

In Solidarity,

John Risch National Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division Click To View Documents: SMART-TD State Directors.doc (60KB);

Safety Device Missing from Amtrak Site After Deadly Accident

An NBC 10 Investigation has revealed a basic safety device called a shunt missing at the site of Amtrak’s most recent deadly accident on the Northeast corridor. Amtrak 89 was traveling 106 miles per hour when it collided with a maintenance crew in Chester, PA on April 3, 2016.

The accident killed two maintenance workers.

The NBC 10 Investigators found Amtrak dispatch records show other railroads notified of the maintenance work.  Dispatch logs show the track in Chester was occupied or ‘fouled’ between Friday April 1 and Monday April 4.

“Unfortunately, you’re always going to have some kind of human error and nobody’s life should be one step away,” Jedd Dodd, the General Chairman of the union representing Amtrak maintenance workers said.

Dodd, who worked on Amtrak maintenance crews for seven years, said a simple electrical cable put on the track called a shunt would have turned the oncoming railroad traffic signal red – telling trains to stop.

“There were no shunting devices and Amtrak had routinely stopped using shunting devices out on the track from what we can see,” Dodd said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that there was no shunt on that track,” Railroad engineer and professor at the University of Delaware Allan Zarembski said.

Zarembski demonstrated how a shunt mimics a train on the tracks.  An electrical cable connects the two tracks to complete an electrical circuit and show oncoming trains the track is occupied.

The NBC 10 investigation found Amtrak changed its training manual in 2015 omitting a section dedicated to the “use of a supplemental shunting device.”

The manual’s 2000 version reads in part, “This instruction requires the employee in charge of covered fouling activities to apply an approved supplemental shunting device to the tracks…”

That section is removed in the latest version.

"I do know the shunting devices would have prevented it," Dodd said of the train 89 accident. “If Amtrak had properly trained and qualified their employees the shunting device would have been there.”

Amtrak officials would not say why the supplemental shunting device section was removed from its current training manual.  The NBC 10 investigators did find it would have been redundant.  The North American Railroad Operating rules, which govern all railroads, do include the shunting device section.

“I really can’t talk about that because that whole thing with the maintenance workers because it involves the NTSB,” Amtrak vice president of operations Chris Jagodzinski said at a public event in May when asked about how the railroad protects and trains maintenance workers.

The Amtrak 89 accident is the railroads’ second deadly accident in the Philadelphia area since May 2015.  Amtrak 188 killed eight passengers when it derailed in Philadelphia.  The NTSB determined the engineer lost situational awareness and didn’t realize the train was traveling too fast for the track.  The federal investigation also concluded that a train safety system called positive train control would have slowed Amtrak 188 and prevented the accident.  The NBC 10 Investigators first reported that safety system missing on the section of track where train 188 derailed.