3rd Annual Railroad Day on the Hill: SMART-TD leads a growing force for rail safety and labor solidarity

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 6-7, 2025 — What began as an ambitious project initiated by SMART Transportation Division has grown into the most impactful rail labor advocacy event in the nation. This year marks the third annual Railroad Day on the Hill, and once again, SMART-TD is proudly leading the charge! Our National Safety and Legislative Department is organizing the event, setting the agenda, and inviting every union across rail labor to stand together in unified strength and purpose. 

Last year’s Railroad Day was a landmark success. With over 100 Congressional meetings conducted by SMART-TD leaders and our partner unions, the event generated swift and measurable results, including a marked increase in bipartisan sponsorship and co-sponsorship of vital rail safety legislation. That momentum has only grown stronger in 2025. 

Bigger, Stronger, More United 

This year, SMART-TD is raising the bar. With a sharp uptick in participation, we are welcoming even more unions into the fold, including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), who are joining for the fight.  

Together, we are mobilizing in greater numbers and with broader reach. More than 30% more meetings have been scheduled with members of Congress, Senators, and their staff than in any previous year. Due to overwhelming interest from lawmakers and staff wanting to get engaged, the event has now expanded into a two-day format for the first time. 

Our Legislative Priorities: Safety, Security, and Solidarity 

The 2025 edition of Railroad Day on the Hill brings renewed focus to key legislative priorities for all of rail labor. SMART-TD, with input from our union partners, has coordinated a unified message around three critical rail safety bills currently in the U.S. House of Representatives. Chief among them is a comprehensive rail safety bill spearheaded by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX-22), featuring: 

• A mandatory two-person crew requirement for freight trains 

• Limits on train length to reduce fatigue and risk 

• Protections for independent safety inspections, shielding them from interference by railroad management 

These proposals, if passed, will deliver wide-ranging improvements to safety across all rail crafts. 

Equally urgent is our push to safeguard the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), This is an obvious pillar of financial security for rail workers that is facing its most significant political and operational threat since its founding in 1937. SMART-TD and our legislative team have developed detailed materials and briefings to help lawmakers understand the importance of preserving the RRB’s independence and effectiveness. 

A Thank You to Our Members and Representatives 

We extend our deepest thanks to every SMART-TD officer, representative, and member making the journey to Washington. Your dedication, professionalism, and advocacy are the foundation of our success, not just during Railroad Day, but every day, as we fight for rail workers’ rights and safety. 

Stay tuned to SMART News for updates, photos, and reports from the Hill as we continue this vital work. Together, we’re making a difference: one meeting, one conversation, and one piece of legislation at a time.