National Rail Tentative Agreement Update: Q&As Complete, Voting Set to Begin

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO MEMBERS ON BNSF, NS, CN, AND ALL CLASS II AND CLASS III RAILROADS WHO ARE PARTY TO NATIONAL BARGAINING AND HAVE NOT ALREADY RATIFIED ON-PROPERTY AGREEMENTS.

SMART-TD and the NCCC have reached mutual agreement on the questions and answers submitted by our General Committees of Adjustment. For reference, a link to those agreed upon Q&As is provided below. With that step complete, we can now move on to ratification.

On October 8, 2025, SMART-TD will be sending out ballots to all of the involved and eligible members. To help clear up some questions ahead of time, we are publishing some frequently asked Q&As about this process.

Who is Eligible to Vote?

In order to be eligible, SMART-TD members must be in active status as of October 7, and must be employed by a Carrier that has joined the NCCC for National bargaining.

Members who are in inactive status (e.g., furlough, suspension, dismissal, disability, leave of absence, etc.) are not eligible to vote. Managers who pay dues to retain their seniority are also not eligible to vote.

Note: BNSF Yardmasters, and all members on BNSF’s former Joint Texas Division have already ratified on-property agreements in lieu of National agreements, so those members will not be included in this ratification.

If you are unsure of your Carrier’s participation status, they are listed on “Exhibit A” of each TA (found in between the Side Letters and Q&As – links are provided below). You can also contact your Local Chairperson or General Chairperson for clarification. If you’re unsure of who your Chairpersons are or how to get a hold of them, their contact information can be found on the SMART Union app, or on the Member Portal section of www.smart-union.org.

Are SMART-TD Engineers Also Eligible to Vote?

Yes. When voting, members will be asked which craft they are working in. Choices will be Conductor, Engine Service, Brakeman, Yardman, and Yardmaster. Choose the craft that you were most recently assigned to and working on October 7.

What methods will be used for voting?

Packets mailed on October 8 will include personalized 12-digit access codes and instructions for dial-in telephonic voting. On October 16, text message and email reminders will be sent out to all eligible members who have not yet voted. Those electronic messages will include links to vote using a secure web-based portal. On October 24, another round of electronic links will be sent to members who have not yet voted.

When will voting end? How soon will we see the results?

Our 21-day ratification will close on Wednesday, October 29, at 11:59 p.m. (ET). Results will be announced the following morning.

Is it true that if I abstain from voting, my vote is automatically counted as a vote to “ACCEPT?”

Despite this being completely false, the rumor circulates every time we have National tentative agreement. Every vote is important, and only the votes cast will get counted, so don’t miss your opportunity!

What should I do if I don’t receive a ballot in the mail?

In most cases, this happens when members fail to update SMART-TD with their current home address. Occasionally, there are delays with USPS. In any case, on Thursday, October 16, we will be sending text and email ballots to all members who have not yet voted. If you still haven’t received anything by Friday, October 17, please contact us by calling (216) 227-5424, or by sending an email to: ContractQuestions@smart-union.org.

In doing so, please mention your name and provide relevant information to confirm your identity, such as your employee ID number, date of birth, and/or the last 4 digits of your SSN. Also provide us with your current home address, cell phone number, and email address. With that information, we will be able to send you a replacement ballot via text and/or email, and update your contact information if necessary.