Author: alyssahansen

Home>Articles by: alyssahansen

Local 1422 – Los Angeles, CA 

Union Pacific Conductor Brother Jesus Mesina of Local 1422 Los Angeles was left in a coma after a devastating motor vehicle accident. While he begins a long and uncertain recovery, his wife Sara and their children are facing a financial crisis as his hospital bills pile up. 

Sara reached out for the help of the SMART-TD family. She has placed her faith in the power of our collective strength. Now is the time to prove that her trust has not been misplaced. 

How You Can Help 

If you are financially able, please visit the GoFundMe page below to contribute: 

Stand by Jesus Mesina’s Family in Crisis ► 

We ask that you also share this page with your fellow members, family, and friends. The more people we reach, the greater the impact. 

We Are Our Brothers’ Keepers 

When tragedy strikes one of us, it affects all of us.  

Jesus is more than a name on a roster: he is a father, a husband, a coworker, and a friend. He has stood shoulder to shoulder with us on the job, and now we must rally to stand with him and his family in return.  

“This unforeseen event has left our family in an extremely difficult and vulnerable position. We are seeking any help, no matter how big or small, to assist with medical bills, therapy, rent, and groceries,” Sara writes in the GoFundMe. 

Let’s ensure her plea does not go unanswered. 

Solidarity in Action 

The union was founded for members to aid one another in the face of failing or missing social systems. Solidarity is more than just something we say. It’s a commitment to pull together when no one else will. And right now, that means lifting up the Mesina family when they need us most. 

Let’s show Sara, Jesus, and their children the power of union solidarity. 

With a 90% approval rate, the members of SMART-TD Local 1701 (Montebello, CA) have ratified a new contract.  
 
Most notably, the agreement includes a 12.5% top pay increase over the next three years, including additional longevity pay after seven years of service.  
 
“I would like to thank my members for their patience and support and believing in us in our work to bring them the best contract possible,” said Cecilia Lopez, general chairperson of General Committee of Adjustment Montebello (876). “We were able to agree to…longevity at the completion of the seventh year of full-time service. We were very fortunate to have it start at seven years.”  
 
The longevity pay is a rare benefit and a victory for the negotiating team. Local 1701 represents Montebello Transit bus operators, mechanics, body shop, storekeepers, and service workers. Lopez noted that this was the second contract negotiated by GCA 876 Local 1701. 
 
“This second contract is a result and a testament to our working relationship with the City Council, City Manager, and Director of Transportation,” explained GC Lopez. “This is unprecedented to have all of them on our side working with us. [We’d] like to thank them all for their support, dedication, and commitment to moving forward in the right direction.”  

Close Collaboration Drives Results 

GC Lopez had specific praise for James Sandoval, Vice President of the SMART-TD Bus Department. 
 
“[VP Sandoval] was fantastic and was here every step of the way and was beyond supportive,” said GC Lopez.  
 
The feeling is mutual.  
 
“Sister Lopez is never afraid to stand up for our members and fight for what’s right,” said VP Sandoval. “For a second time, she has shown that working productively with city leaders while holding firm to members’ needs can result in a strong agreement with tangible, long-term gains, and I’m very proud of both Sister Lopez and GCA 876 Local 1701. This latest win for SMART-TD’s Bus Department proves that we’ve got growing momentum on our side and have no plans to slow down!” 

Congratulations to GC Lopez and our Local 1701 brothers and sisters on this victory!

Three states bordering Oregon (California, Washington, and Nevada) have passed two-person crew (2-PC) laws. 

Oregon State Representative Paul Evans (D) has voiced support for 2-PC in the past, signaling a readiness to join neighboring states in safeguarding critical logistics infrastructure in his state. When the time came, however, he refused to support the legislation.  

He claimed that Oregon has no use for the law, because he naively assumed the issue has already been resolved at the federal level.   
 
As SMART-TD and our members know all too well, 2-PC is a rule, not a law, on the federal level. Rules are easy to change. This is why it is important to continue the push for state-level laws to support the FRA’s 2024 ruling. 

With Us or Against Us

This vote against 2-PC makes it clear: Representative Paul Evans is squarely against us. He has betrayed the safety of railroaders and communities across Oregon. 
 
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: we support legislators who will help address the most critical issues facing our members, regardless of party.    
 
If Representative Evans assumes that he can count on our union’s support when the next election cycle rolls around, he is mistaken.  

Defeated but Not Deterred

SMART-TD’s Oregon Safety & Legislative Director Dan Garrison knows that this is one bill that needs to become a reality. 

“This was the no brainer bill for us,” SLD Garrison explained. “This is the bill that we wanted to get passed first. This was the most important one that [we] wanted to do.”

After months of work, hours of testimony, and a schedule packed full of meetings with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, his hopes were dashed during the Joint Committee on Transportation’s work session on May 19 thanks to one Rep. Paul Evans.  
 
Despite this slap in the face, SLD Garrison is continuing to fight for rail safety in Oregon.  
 
Looking ahead to the next session, he’s already planning to introduce at least three bills and isn’t letting this setback dictate SMART-TD’s legislative agenda.  
 
One thing is for certain: he won’t be counting on Representative Evans’ support to get the legislation over the finish line, and the gentleman from Monmouth shouldn’t bank on any kind of endorsement come election season.   
 
There are consequences to your actions.

June 6, 2025 —SEPTA bus drivers (including SMART-TD Alternate Vice President Bus-East and General Chairperson Anthony Petty) provided real-world feedback after testing out the bulletproof barriers designed to protect operators. 

Developed by Custom Glass Solutions, the glare-resistant barriers are designed to shield operators from physical assaults and gunfire, while allowing quick access for first responders in case of emergencies. 
 
In March, SMART-TD was there when snipers tested the bulletproof barriers, and today’s feedback-gathering from our members is the next step in the process.  

Petty says that the company was on site with the drivers to ensure that all concerns were addressed. 
 
“[We’re looking] to see if we need to change anything out, like the fare box might be too close, things like that,” explained Petty.

They’re also examining whether the barriers are too close to the steering wheel, which would mean that they need to be pushed up toward the windows so that drivers can still safely make turns.

Once the kinks are worked out for the barriers on the first eight buses, Petty is hopeful that production will ramp up early next year to outfit the entire SEPTA fleet. 

After that, Petty wants to take this push for increased safety nationwide. 

“I hope every bus company gets this, but it has to start somewhere, and I’m glad it’s starting with SMART.”  

A New Beginning for a Strong Group of Railroaders

SMART-TD welcomes our newest property, Local 406, out of Missoula, Montana. This local represents 125 members who were formerly working on the Montana Rail Link short-line railroad. BNSF officially took over the line on January 1, 2024. 
 
“It was unsettling leading up to that date,” Local 406 Vice Chair Jason Tresner remembered. “Not knowing what the future holds…there was a lot of uncertainty.”  

From Confusion to Confidence 

During the transition from Montana Rail Link to BNSF, our new members faced a whirlwind of changes.  

Local Chairperson Bryan Trimbo explained that “In a short time, we had to learn a brand-new operating system, a new rulebook, new computer systems, how to tie up our time sheets: you name it,” Trimbo said. 

Secretary Treasurer Josh Olson added, “Those first few days, our guys weren’t sure about much of anything, including how much we were getting paid.” 

Montana Rail Link was represented by the BLE, and SMART-TD wasn’t even allowed on the property. When BNSF took over, these brothers and sisters had a choice to make, and many chose SMART-TD. 

SMART-TD Creates Experienced Transition Team  

As the takeover approached, Olson remembers being told that “SMART reps were arrogant and not to be trusted. But that turned out to be the furthest thing from the truth.” 

Led by organizer Pete Trotta from Local 426, a team of experienced BNSF workers stepped in to guide the transitioning crew base. The new members were temporarily brought into Local 426 to get up to speed while they laid the foundation for the new Local 406. The members of 426 answered questions, explained BNSF’s systems, and helped members adjust to BNSF’s way of doing things. 

Members Helping Members: That’s Union 

“Pete and his team really took us under their wing,” said Olson. “You could tell they wanted us to succeed.” 

Tresner felt the same way.  

“We had a lot of great conversations, and the amount of knowledge that comes from these gentlemen is amazing to me. I’m speaking to somebody who knows what they’re talking about. They were very open and knowledgeable. If they didn’t have the answer, they didn’t make up an answer. They waited until they knew.”  
 
Trotta was equally happy to welcome new members. 
 
“We cared,” said Trotta. “These guys might not have known the BNSF systems yet, and they might have been BLE members, but they were railroaders just like us. Helping them was just the right thing to do.” 

Coaching and Tools Ease the Transition 

Trimbo, Olson, and others helped their former BLE members through the transition by building a website, making how-to videos, and coaching one another on the ins and outs of working under BNSF. 

Whether it was filing claims or understanding new rules, the transition team made sure no one was left behind. Trimbo put it like this, “You can’t play in the big sandbox with small toys and think it’s going to work out.”  

A Proud Start for Local 406 

Local 406 held their first official meeting on May 6, 2025. SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson and Vice President Chad Adams traveled to Missoula to swear in the new officers and celebrate these railroaders’ progress. 

“This group has gone through a lot over the past 16 months, but their teamwork, drive to learn, and support for each other have made them stronger. I couldn’t be more proud to have SMART-TD Local 406 and this group of officers in the fold,” Ferguson said of his experience in Missoula.  

In June, Local Chairperson Bryan Trimbo, Secretary Treasurer Josh Olson, and Local President Joe Garland will attend the SMART-TD Regional Training Seminar in Denver, Colorado. They’re excited to continue learning how to run their Local and represent members the SMART-TD way. 
 
“We are all very happy that SMART-TD is listening to the concerns that we do have,” said Tresner. “It’s very reassuring to know that they’re listening and they want to make sure that we’re happy, too. It’s something that we never really necessarily had in the past.” 

Welcome to the union, Local 406. We’re proud to stand with you. 

SMART-TD’s Safety & Legislative Directors are chosen by their peers to lead on legislative issues in their respective states, but together they have an impact on the entire country. 
 
Through creativity and collaboration, including the use of new technology-based tools, they field successful ideas and legislative victories that increase our union’s solidarity and strength and protect our collective backs throughout the country.

Building on one another’s victories 

Case in point: the ideas for two pieces of SMART-TD backed legislation that passed the Arkansas State Legislature earlier this year weren’t born in Little Rock.

Instead, they originated in other states and were adapted to fit the legislative environment and our local members’ needs.  
 
The first, House Bill 1757 (Act 528), elevates serious vandalism on rail property (such as throwing a switch or cutting an airline on a train) and assault of transportation workers to a Class D felony, which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000.

SMART-TD brought about the legislation, which passed the House with overwhelming support in a 90-6-4 vote and cleared the Senate with unanimous support.  
 
The Arkansas bill actually started in Nebraska, with Safety & Legislative Director Andy Foust.

A nearly identical proposal was introduced at the State Capitol in Lincoln. It didn’t pass, but it generated a large amount of interest.

Foust worked with Arkansas Safety & Legislative Director Gerald Sale on adjustments to make the bill more relevant in Arkansas. This kind of collaboration is common. 
 
“There’s quite a few of us that get together and talk legislation,” said SLD Foust. “There’s a ton of legislation out there that we’ve been sharing.” 
 
Ideas and strategies are discussed during monthly calls. In addition to legislation, the group also shares tips and tricks to solve other problems, like how to lobby lawmakers in states that may not be labor-friendly, for example. 
 
“Instead of emphasizing labor, we emphasize safety,” Foust explained. When it comes to the legislature “I don’t want you involved in my collective bargaining, but I want you involved in my safety.” 

Another team-built bill protects crew member anonymity 

The second piece of legislation that passed in Arkansas, Senate Bill 397 (Act 931), redacts crew names from reports on railroad fatalities.  
 
Crew confidentiality is very important because it’s common for Critical Incidents to end up on police reports, which could increase members’ insurance rates or even make them uninsurable.  
 
The idea for this bill came from Illinois Safety and Legislative Director Bob Guy, who successfully lobbied for a similar bill in his home state. Because crew confidentiality is a bipartisan issue it was easy to collaborate with all stakeholders. That collaboration and communication extends to our union’s SLD network, too. 
 
“It’s what we do, lobbying is networking,” SLD Guy pointed out. “You take that a step further and network with our brothers and sisters. We have to communicate well in our State Capitols and with one another. It helps all of us.” 

Illinois to Arkansas to Wisconsin 

Now, Wisconsin Safety & Legislative Director Andy Hauk is preparing to run the same bill in Madison. 
 
“We don’t worry about state lines,” said Hauk, who also emphasized the importance of simply knowing what needs to be done over traditional networking. “We’re all on the same team. If it benefits anybody, it benefits everybody.”  

Solidarity Works

Every state and every legislature are unique.

Ideas that work well on the East Coast may not see the same enthusiasm in the South or in the Midwest. But rather than sitting on the sidelines SMART-TD’s Safety and Legislative Directors find a way to make it work.  

They take chances and write legislation directly tailored to their members. With a track record of success, their collaboration and powerful network proves SMART-TD leads the way in the legislature. 

 

June 4, 2025 —The Association of American Railroads (AAR), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, and several carriers are challenging the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) final rule requiring a minimum of two crew members on freight trains (2-PC). This legal attack threatens a critical safety measure long championed by SMART-TD and its members. 

In the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Miami, Florida, SMART-TD stood shoulder to shoulder with the FRA, defending the 2-PC rule. 

Your voices were heard in that courtroom

SMART-TD’s Associate General Counsel Shawn McKinley brought a forceful, well-prepared voice into the courtroom, making it clear that our members’ safety is not up for negotiation. Alongside the DOJ attorney representing the FRA, McKinley presented a compelling case grounded in law, fact, and common sense. 

A defining moment came when AAR attorneys dismissed the more than 13,000 public comments submitted in favor of the 2-PC rule, many of which came from SMART-TD members and supporters, as “anecdotes”.  

McKinley swiftly countered, reminding the court that these weren’t “random” comments or “anecdotes.” They were firsthand accounts from 13,000 trained railroaders, the very people the rule is designed to protect.  

SMART-TD shows up and stands firm 

You spoke up when it counted, and your voices continue to shape the future of railroad safety.  

The contrast was striking: the FRA’s advocate and SMART-TD’s legal team demonstrated superior preparation, credibility, and delivery — all bolstered by the more than 13,000 pages of frontline testimony. That was your advocacy, submitted back in 2022, powerfully resonating in a federal courtroom three years later. 

We should be proud of the outstanding work of our legal team and equally proud of the commitment we all share that built the record that supports this rule. When our safety and our families’ security are under attack, we show up and stand firm. 

The final decision now rests in the hands of the 11th Circuit. While we cannot predict the outcome, SMART News will share the ruling once it’s issued.  

Powder River coal will continue to flow from Wyoming to Michigan, thanks to an order from the Trump Administration to keep the J.H. Campbell Power Plant in West Olive, Michigan operational for another 90 days. The order came just days before the plant’s scheduled shutdown.   

Thank You, President Trump 

Given the decisive action to keep the J.H. Campbell Power Plant up and running, SMART-TD wants to formally recognize and thank President Trump and his administration, especially Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, for making this decision. Keeping Campbell open means keeping us on the job and keeping the lights on in Michigan.

A Shot in the Arm for Working Railroaders

“Keeping the Campbell Plant open is huge for the men and women of our local,” said Andy Duncan, Local Chairperson of SMART-TD Local 313 based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “Between the loaded trains going into the plant, the empty road trains coming out, the crews that put the empties together, and the road pusher crews that help get the loads up Saugatuck Hill outside of the plant, we’ve got six to eight SMART-TD members working that plant every single day. And that’s just on the CSX side.” 

The coal starts its way to the plant via BNSF unit trains from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin before being handed off and moved by CSX crews through Illinois into Michigan.  

“We’ve been watching this shutdown process develop for almost a year,” Brother Duncan explained, noting that coal runs have been decreasing in anticipation of the plant closure. “We’ve been sharing articles, writing our representatives. It’s really good to finally see something done that keeps these jobs alive, at least for now. We’re hoping the Trump Administration can turn this into a permanent solution.” 

It’s About Paychecks, Not Politics

The environmental, economic, and legal debates surrounding coal-fired power generation are complex and deeply political, but SMART-TD has always had a clear and focused mission: protect and support the working men and women who keep the country moving. 

We are not engaging in debates about emissions, sustainability, or the use of executive power. Every loaded coal train means good jobs, running across thousands of miles of rail and involving dozens of our members.  

The Campbell plant has been up and running since 1967.  
 
“The coal used to come from the East, mainly out of West Virginia, and then it changed to a blend of Eastern and Western coal. Now it all comes in from the West, out of Wyoming and Nebraska. But one thing hasn’t changed in all these years: it has always been delivered by railroaders. The plant staying open is very important to our crews,” Local 313 Legislative Representative Shaun Clark explained. 

“According to a CSX manager in Grand Rapids, they are projecting 30 loaded coal trains coming into the plant in June alone. So that is two trains a day when you factor in the empties coming out. I can’t tell you how good this is for us.”  

“There’s going to be a lot of work ahead building up the coal supply they let dwindle. This is good news for SMART-TD’s CSX members, BNSF members, and our union brothers and sisters working at the plant,” Brother Duncan explained. “There are union electricians, pipefitters, you name it, working in the plant itself. The Campbell plant is full of union members, and this is a great day for all of them, too.” 

From Powder River to the Great Lakes — We Keep America Running 

From the union miners of Wyoming to the yard crews of Grand Rapids, the Campbell Power Plant touches every part of this country’s working backbone. Let’s fight to keep it going. We’ve got the trains. We’ve got the crews. Let’s keep the coal and the jobs rolling. 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 2, 2025 

“It’s time that we protect all transportation workers with every legislative tool at our disposal. The loophole in Massachusetts law is short-sighted and dangerous, and HB 1877 is custom-made to close it right now. Our Keolis brothers and sisters may not be public employees, but they are taxpaying Massachusetts constituents delivering essential services, and they deserve the same protections as anyone else on the frontlines.” 

— Jeremy Ferguson, President, SMART Transportation Division 

Boston, MA — Following a May 29 gun-related incident at the Ashland MBTA station, SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) calls on Massachusetts lawmakers to address a critical oversight in current state law.  Existing assault statutes only apply to public employees. This leaves contracted commuter rail workers, like those at Keolis Commuter Services, unprotected.   

As detailed by the Ashland Police Department, the incident involved two suspects.  

Two men got into an onboard argument over evading their fare. The Keolis conductor attempted to de-escalate the situation and safeguard the other passengers. After being removed from the train, the two suspects allegedly assaulted the conductor and pressed a 9mm handgun to his chest.  

Both suspects were apprehended in a coordinated effort by Ashland Police, Framingham Police, MBTA Transit Police, and other local agencies. 

The conductor, a member of SMART-TD Local 898, is not protected by current transit assault laws that call for increased penalties for this type of assault. 

“This is yet another alarming example of the threats our commuter rail crews face far too often,” said Cole Czub, Local Chairperson of SMART-TD Local 898 and Vice Chairperson of SMART-TD’s Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee. “We’re relieved no one was physically harmed and deeply appreciate the swift response by local and transit police. But this can’t be treated as just an isolated event. It reflects a larger safety crisis facing frontline transit workers. This is exactly why we’re advocating for House Bill 1877.” 

House Bill 1877 would ensure that contracted transit employees, such as Keolis conductors, engineers, and onboard crews, are granted the same legal protections against assault as their counterparts working directly for public transit authorities. The legislation is currently awaiting further action from lawmakers. 

“Our members work the same stations, serve the same passengers, and deserve the same protections as their public sector peers,” said Czub. “Their safety must be treated as a matter of urgency, not an afterthought.” 

SMART-TD urges state legislators, Governor Healey, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to prioritize the passage of HB1877 and close the legal loophole that continues to endanger the lives of essential workers providing commuter rail service to thousands across the Commonwealth every day. 

If you are new on the job or are fortunate enough to have never been injured, you may not know about a key protection the union provides; a pool of pre-vetted lawyers who can help if you get into trouble. 

Introducing the Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) 

A SMART-TD Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) is a kind of lawyer who specializes in issues that affect railroad workers. Your employer may not have your best interest at heart if you are injured or want to report a safety problem. It is extremely important to get expert legal advice in these situations.  

Sara Youngdahl, the coordinator for SMART-TD’s DLC explains: 

In the video, Youngdahl explains that the railroad isn’t like other employers. As a rail worker you are protected by a unique set of laws that only apply to our industry — the railroads are older than other industries, so some of the laws that protect us are older than the ones that protect other occupations. As a result, when push comes to shove, not every lawyer out there will know how to defend you.  

There are very specific laws that protect railroaders when they’re injured or retaliated against. 

Law 1: Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) 

Railroad workers injured on the job are not covered by state workers’ compensation laws. The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) is your only way to get compensation for your injuries. Unlike worker’s compensation laws, the FELA requires you to prove the railroad was negligent in causing your injuries. This is why getting a DLC involved early is important, as only they can make sure you have enough admissible evidence to win your case. 

Law 2: Whistleblower Protection 

The second statute is a whistleblower law that protects railroad workers if they are retaliated against on the job. 

This is a newer law that protects workers who report safety concerns or personal injuries. If you are fired for reporting a dangerous condition or a safety infraction, the whistleblower statute protects you. A DLC can hold your employer accountable for breaking this law. 

Every DLC on SMART-TD’s list is committed to protecting you as a union member, protecting the security of your family, and helping to keep your workplace as safe as possible. They are here to help you.