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California is once again facing catastrophic wildfires, with thousands of acres burning and entire communities being forced to evacuate. Some of our SMART-TD members are on the frontlines of the devastation, both as first responders and as victims themselves.

Our brothers and sisters working for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) have been hit particularly hard. General Chairperson John M. Ellis from our Los Angeles general committee (GO-875) has informed us that 10 to 15 of our members have already lost their homes to the flames. With the fire’s rapid movement, that number is expected to rise. They face heartbreaking losses, but they are also responding with courage by participating in emergency rescue operations and ensuring that California residents are safely transported to shelters. Their families, homes, and personal belongings remain in jeopardy.

How to request assistance from SMART-TD’s disaster relief fund

The SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund is here to assist those affected by such crises. If you or another SMART-TD member you know has suffered damage to their home or living situation, please reach out to the Chairperson of your General Committee. They will provide you with a short application form and walk you through the process. If you aren’t sure who your General Chair is, that information is available on the SMART App along with their contact information by clicking the arrow to the right of your local’s meeting date and location. If you do not have the app, your local officers will be able to get you in contact with your General Chair.

How to contribute to our brothers and sisters in need

We know that the spirit of solidarity runs deep in this union, and we are asking for your help to ensure that we can continue to support our California brothers and sisters during this time of crisis. Donations to the SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund will go directly to those members who need it most, helping them rebuild their lives and recover from this tragedy.

When disaster strikes, we are reminded that our union is not just a collection of individuals—it is a family. If one of us is in need, we rise to the occasion. Over the years, SMART-TD has supported our members in the wake of hurricanes, winter storms, and other natural disasters, providing vital assistance to those whose lives have been torn apart. The need is just as great today, and we need to step up once again.

If you can contribute, we encourage you to make a donation. Whether large or small, your support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are at risk.

Thank you for standing with our union family during this time of crisis. We will rise to meet this challenge together.

Contributions can be made payable to:

SMART TD Disaster Relief Fund
6060 Rockside Woods Blvd., N
Suite 325
Independence, OH 44131

Please call the Transportation Division office at (216) 228-9400 with any questions regarding the Disaster Relief Fund.

In the spirit of solidarity, SMART-TD asks our members to support the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150 in Countryside, Illinois. They have been on strike against unfair labor practices on the part of Cranemasters, Inc. for more than two months.

While the strike has been effective in the Chicagoland area, Cranemasters is a nationwide company, and the union needs more help pressuring them to come to the table.

“We’re hoping to overcome the information gap of us being in the Chicagoland area and not necessarily knowing where Cranemasters is working at all times,” explained Rob Paszta, IUOE Local 150 Associate General Counsel. “The eyes and ears of SMART members would be tremendous help in this regard.”

To assist in the strike, SMART-TD members are asked to report any known Cranemasters job sites anywhere in the country by calling (219) 405-5532. Paszta says that will help the local put data points together and know where folks are working.

Cranemasters is an emergency rerail, track, and car repair service active in the local’s jurisdiction.

Cranemasters refuses to negotiate

In August 2023, Cranemasters employees in Merrillville, Indiana and Schiller Park, Illinois voted to join IUOE Local 150. Since then, 17 unfair labor practice charges have been filed against Cranemasters on issues including refusing to bargain in good faith, firing employees who support the union, and taking work from the bargaining unit and sending it to non-union locations.

Furthering its anti-labor behavior, the company has refused to give workers a raise since the union was voted in, while other locations have been given a 10% raise in an attempt discourage any organizing efforts.

“Some of them have been working for two years without a raise in some of the worst inflationary times we’ve seen,” noted Paszta.

On November 4, Cranemasters employees went on strike after working for 15 months without a contract.

By supporting IUOE Local 150 in its unfair labor practice strike, Paszta predicts that the effort will pay off in the long run.

“It’s a good group of employees. They’re hard-working,” Paszta emphasized. “Any information that you [SMART-TD members] can provide would go a long way to help these employees get a contract and stop being mistreated in retaliation for forming a union. It’s just shameful the way the company is acting.”

Click to learn more about the Cranemasters strike and how you can help. ►

Not many people can say that they’ve written three books or have been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Brother Carlos Wallace, a fifth-generation railroader out of Local 11 in Houston, Texas, has done both.

“I think the impact of the writing has me more excited than the actual accolade,” Wallace said. “When I started to understand the criteria and what they look for and how it’s about things that can make society better, that’s when it meant something to me. In my writing, to me, that’s what’s most important: making the world a better place.”

The Pulitzer Prize is an annual award that recognizes achievement in American journalism, letters and music. Out of an initial pool of 1,400 nominees, Brother Wallace has advanced to the top 50, who are still in the running. He says that the winner will likely be announced sometime in June. The Pulitzer is awarded by Columbia University in New York City.

Wallace served as the Local Chairperson for Local 11 and the Secretary of GCA-927, while also working for Union Pacific. Traveling as an organizer for the United Transportation Union (UTU) gave him the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and experience different scenarios, which factored heavily into his writing.

Wallace’s first book centers around his East Texas upbringing and the principles that his parents and grandparents instilled in him.

“I’ve yet to meet anybody in my life that can say that they worked in the same industry as their great-great-great grandfather,” Wallace reflected. “Society works much like the operation of the railroad. All it takes is one part failing, and it can make the entire operation fail. But if it’s built properly enough, we can assist and help bring it back on board. It’s just making those comparisons from railroading to real life, and it’s taught me so much.”

Brother Wallace’s third book, Why Sell Lies When the Truth is Free, nabbed him the Pulitzer nomination. The book is his first venture into fiction. He admits that it was a little tougher to write than his first two, which he classifies as motivational and empowering books.

“I’m very proud of [my third book]. I was able to craft a good story, and it caught the recognition of some really good people in the literary world,” Wallace said. “It’s all based on real facts and real things that happen, and I just kind of put them all together to make one story.

“I am a die hard. I only know union,” Wallace emphasized. “I want to thank the men and women from the bottom-up because it takes everyone, and it makes me extremely proud to say that I’m a SMART member. There’s never a day that I’m not proud of my union.”

Survey Shows High Public Support for Metra Employees, Increased Calls for More Security

A recent survey conducted in the Greater Chicago area, conducted by an independent third party between December 16-19, 2024, found that 83% of people have a favorable opinion of Metra (44% “excellent” and 39% “good”). The public’s loyalty is largely due to the work done by SMART-TD transit union members: Metra’s conductors, ticket collectors, and other frontline workers.

Celebrating transit union members

It is remarkable that 83% of people can agree on anything!

“It’s no surprise to me that our Brothers and Sisters at Metra are held in such high regard by the passengers that they serve,” SMART-TD’s Illinois State Safety and Legislative Director Bob Guy had to say about the members in his city.

“As the face of Metra, passengers know they can count on our members to deliver them to their destination safely and securely, while also being available to address questions or concerns that may arise during a routine trip and to take immediate action on those rare occasions when incidents occur. Our members take pride in the work they do and the service they provide, and I’m proud that their job performance is so favorably recognized.”

The survey also found that 26% of people rated Metra overall as “Excellent.” Our men and women scored significantly higher with the community than Metra did overall. Our members are by far the best thing the agency has going for it, and SMART-TD helps make that difference.

Public wants more security

The survey also highlighted growing public concern about security in public transportation.

30% said an increased law enforcement presence would make them feel more likely to use public transportation.

51% said they strongly support having more law enforcement personnel on Metra trains, buses, and in the stations themselves.

SMART-TD 100% agrees with these sentiments.

With the increase in violent incidents on public transportation nationwide, we have called for more police and security to keep both passengers and our members safe. We cannot overstate how important it is for passengers and operators to feels safe when using METRA. SMART-TD’s bottom line is that our members need to be protected while doing their jobs.

Additional security will increase ridership

Safety would help Metra’s bottom line, too. 30% of the people who abandoned Metra said that they would be willing to come back if security were increased.

Addressing safety concerns will directly boost ridership, which will offset the costs of the enhanced security measures.

“We’ve long stressed to METRA the need for increased safety measures due to rising violent and erratic behavior. We will continue to push for better security to protect our members,” said SLD Guy. “Metra’s new ‘Code of Conduct’ policy is a great start, but more needs to be done to ensure a visible police presence, especially in areas where problems still happen.”

Once again, we congratulate our members for their outstanding work and the trust the public has in them. We are proud of the essential service they provide every day and will continue to advocate for their safety and the safety of all Metra riders.

Click to view the results of the Chicagoland transit survey ►

SMART TD Union leads the charge for fair treatment and better benefits

Thursday, January 23, President Ferguson, all TD Rail Vice Presidents and several General Chairpersons will present our case for a fair, more sustainable agreement as detailed by our Section 6 notice to the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC). These discussions are the first step in shaping our next labor agreement.

The road to a fair national railroad labor agreement will not be easy, but SMART TD is prepared for the challenges ahead. As negotiations move forward, the union will remain in communication with its members, providing updates and guidance throughout the process. We urge all freight rail members to stay informed, participate in union activities, and remain united as we push for the changes we deserve.

We will post all updates under the “Member Portal” section of our website to keep everyone in the union fully informed.

To view the Section 6 notices as served by both the National Railway Labor Conference and SMART Transportation Division:

Return to this page and click to View our Section 6 Notice ►

Section 6 Notices: A blueprint for change

The Section 6 notices are a formal part of the collective bargaining process and outline the changes and improvements the unions seek in the new National Agreement. For SMART TD, the proposed changes address key areas that reflect the current needs of freight rail workers. This includes:

Workplace Safety: Members’ safety is paramount. SMART TD is demanding stronger safety measures and protections to ensure that workers are not exposed to unnecessary risks while on the job.

Job Security: Establish a new rule requiring the railroads who are party to the agreement to give furloughed conductors from one railroad first consideration when filling jobs on another. Conductors hired under this rule would be entitled to retain their years of service for vacation and personal leave purposes when transferring to the new railroad.

Wages: The union is pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living and the increasing demands of the job.

Health & Welfare: Improvements in health and welfare benefits are a top priority. As part of the notice, SMART TD is calling for better healthcare options, reduced out-of-pocket costs, and an enhanced pension plan to ensure that members are well taken care of now and into retirement.

Vacation: We seek to increase the number of vacation weeks earned by our members with extended years of service and the rate at which vacation time is increased on the front end of our members’ railroad careers.

Work Rules and Conditions: Adjustments to work rules and schedules are also on the table. Union members seek manageable working conditions, with a focus on improved quality of life both on and off the job.

SMART-TD railroad delegation packed with heavy hitters

President Ferguson, all TD Rail Vice Presidents, and several General Chairpersons will engage with the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC). The General Chairpersons appointed to the National Bargaining Team come with decades of experience handling on-the-property agreements, and each provides a unique outlook on how their memberships are affected. They are Acting GCA-001 General Chairperson Brent Lind, GCA-009 General Chairperson Scott Swiatek, GCA-256 & AVP (YM) Chris Bartz, GCA-433 General Chairperson Roger “Adren” Crawford, GCA-449 General Chairperson Justin Wolters, GCA-680 General Chairperson David Phillips, GCA-687 General Chairperson James Ball, GCA-898 General Chairperson Thomas Gholson.

A Stronger Future for Freight Rail Workers

The fight for a better railroad contract is just beginning, but SMART TD is ready to lead the charge. With the support of our members, we are confident that we can secure a fair, equitable deal that addresses the issues that matter most. Together, we will ensure that freight rail workers receive the respect, benefits, and compensation they have earned.

This round of National negotiations is unique in that it affects only three of the Class I railroads. Canadian National, BNSF, and Norfolk Southern, along with multiple smaller railroads, are participating in the national negotiations. The other three Class Is (CSX, UP, and CP) are negotiating individually with the general chairpersons on their respective properties.

We encourage all members to stay engaged and stand united as we move forward in this crucial process. The outcome of these negotiations will shape the future of our industry and the lives of every worker on America’s railroads, both current and future.

Shreveport, Louisiana — It is with deep respect and sorrow that SMART-TD honors the life and legacy of Brother Albert Buford “Sonny” Woodall, who passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the age of 94.

With a career spanning over four decades, Sonny dedicated much of his life to advocating for railroad workers. He was the Louisiana State Safety and Legislative Director for our predecessor union, the United Transportation Union (UTU), for 22 years. His relentless commitment to improving safety and increasing the respect given to his fellow workers is the hallmark of his legacy. Through his tireless efforts, Sonny played a pivotal role in crafting and supporting legislation that directly impacted the welfare of our Louisiana members, ensuring that they had safer working conditions and job security.

Brother Gary Duval, the state safety and legislative director who succeeded Sonny, and current Louisiana SLD Chris Christianson, wish to extend their deepest condolences to Sonny’s family and the brothers and sisters of Local 976, where Sonny was a beloved figure.

Christianson shared that he always looked forward to seeing Sonny come through his door. “Sonny always had great railroad stories, but more than that, I was always grateful for his willingness to share the wealth of institutional knowledge he had accumulated over his long and distinguished career. His dedication to our union and to every member in it was unwavering, and his presence will be sorely missed.”

Sonny’s contributions to our union and the broader railroad community were immeasurable. His memory will live on in the policies and practices that continue to protect and benefit our members today. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and we offer our gratitude for the indelible mark Sonny Woodall left on our union and the railroad industry.

In ongoing recognition of his commitment to advocating for SMART-TD bus and transit workers, Brother Ron Sabol has been appointed to serve as a member of the Mercer County Advisory Council on Special Transportation. One of the Council’s main priorities is to look for federal funding to help seniors, students, and those who are disabled better traverse the New Jersey county.

Brother Sabol is both the president of Local 1447 and SMART-TD’s New Jersey/Delaware Safety & Legislative Director (SLD). His one-year term on the council began on November 14, and he was sworn in on December 5.

Mass transit is a vital part of daily life for both passengers and workers in Mercer County, which includes the state capitol. Princeton University, which is a big stop for both Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, mixes with other passengers who rely on the Trenton Transit Center and the Hamilton Train Station.

Transit Union helped secure groundbreaking COVID-era safety legislation

SMART-TD members who live in the Garden State are no strangers to Brother Sabol’s passion for ensuring that his union family is adequately protected on the job.

Nearly two years ago, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence Prevention Act into law.

The first of its kind in the nation, the law addressed the rise in violent attacks against transit workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to Brother Sabol’s efforts, the bill increased the penalty for all assaults on a bus operator, the operator’s supervisor or a passenger rail employee.

In addition to his work on the Council, Brother Sabol also serves as a Vice President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and is secretary to the Mercer County Central Labor Council. He was also re-elected as the president of the New Jersey Society for Environmental, Economic Development (NJ SEED) in December.

Congratulations, Brother! Your union looks forward to seeing the impact that your service on the Council has on SMART-TD members!

New hires at Local 1706 learn what happens when solidarity is put into action. Its former employer, Student Transportation of America (STA), was acquired by Zum Transportation. The members of 1706 transferred to the new ownership and brought their SMART representation with them. Vice President James Sandoval, leading SMART-TD’s Bus Department, immediately communicated to Zum that the union would continue to advocate for their new workers’ rights. This secured a foothold for Local 1706, but it also marked the beginning of an intense negotiation process.

SMART-TD leadership engages skeptical employees

Many of Zum’s new employees were unfamiliar with union representation and were skeptical about the value of joining. Tensions ran high, with some openly questioning the need for representation by SMART-TD.

With contract negotiations scheduled to begin the next day, Sandoval approached three of the most vocal critics and invited them to attend the bargaining session. These individuals agreed to participate, and their presence at the table completely changed the dynamic of the negotiations.

Solidarity intimidates management at bargaining table

When the group entered the negotiation room, Zum’s management was surprised. The three new operators, outspoken in their opposition to unions the night before, were now sitting side-by-side with our leaders. This attitude shift signaled a unified front at the bargaining table. The new participants also gained firsthand insight into the negotiation process and the critical role that unions (SMART-TD, in particular) play in advocating for their members.

Initially, Zum presented an offer that fell short — Sandoval and his delegation stood firm and demanded a better deal for our members.

Standing firm for a successful agreement

Zum eventually agreed to a contract that secured improved wages, better health and wellness benefits, and significant improvements in overall working conditions. On December 21st the TA, negotiated in part by the union’s former skeptics, was overwhelmingly passed by the members of Local 1706! Their fight and the experienced guidance of VP Sandoval proved to be a winning combination.

A point of pride for Sandoval, however, was the opportunity to demonstrate the value of the union to those three previously skeptical operators. Over the span of 24 hours, they went from opponents of union membership to full-fledged supporters. Their journey from skepticism to active leaders highlights the power of collective bargaining and its transformative effect.

“SMART-TD is not only proud to have found them as new members, but we should also be hopeful that we’ve found a new generation of skilled leaders who know how to advocate for the men and women of our craft,” said VP Sandoval.

“We are stronger together. Be SMART!”

To kick off the new year and a season of new beginnings for Local 1706, a training for the members was held today.

General Chairperson Lisa Roby has a good feeling about the future of the local.

“A lot of people don’t know much about the union,” Roby explained. “They’ve been asking questions, and I think we’re getting much better. This is the strongest we’ve ever been…right now.”

From last month’s negotiations to the information discussed in today’s training, Sister Roby complimented VP Sandoval’s leadership.

“James stays on top of everything,” Roby noted. “[The training] came together smoothly, and I’m grateful for the learning that we’re getting.”

As some new members continue to see what it means to be a part of the SMART-TD union family, Roby has some words of wisdom for them.

“We are stronger together. Be smart. That’s what I always tell everybody,” Roby said.

For Local 1706, this experience is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from unity, respect for diverse viewpoints, and the transformative power of organized labor. The agreement represents more than just better pay and benefits: it symbolizes the collective effort of workers coming together to secure a better future for themselves and their families.

Congratulations to Local 1706 on their victory!

As workers and their families celebrate during this festive time of the year, SMART-TD members across the country are stepping up to ensure that those who might need a little extra help in their communities are able to experience the joy of the holiday season.

Whether it’s through food and toy drives in Illinois or a bike drive in Tennessee, three locals exemplify how the SMART-TD union family takes action during this time of giving.

Toy drive for the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest in Chicago

In Chicago, the members of Local 1534 have been working with the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation for the past three years. Together, they ensure that children and teenagers don’t have their holiday season overshadowed by an endless stream of medical treatments as they battle cancer.

Once a child completes their chemotherapy or radiation treatments, the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation provides trips to the “treasure chest” to let a child pick out a toy.

This year, Local 1534 collected over 100 toys and $200 worth of gift cards to add to the treasure chest.

The foundation operates year-round but primarily focuses on the holiday season, and those who have seen the warehouse describe it as if you’re stepping into a Toys R Us.

Food, Bike Drives Bring More Holiday Cheer

For the second year in a row, SMART-TD Local 445 hosted the Yuletide Food Drive in partnership with the Jamieson Food Bank in Monmouth, IL and the Fish Food Pantry in Galesburg, IL.

Headed up by Brothers Wes Ekstedt, Josh Gordon, and Jack Girard, the local collected over 400 pounds of food and nearly $800 to distribute throughout the community.

In Memphis, TN, SMART-TD Local 1557 just wrapped up its second bike drive and secured 100 bikes for the Binghampton Development Corporation after setting a goal of just 20 the year before, which it far surpassed.

According to Local Chairperson Jonathan Hickerson, the goal of the event is to simply better the community.

He enjoys seeing folks’ willingness to donate and how much the drive brings the community together.

“Knowing that both years every family that wanted a bike was able to get a bike…seeing that building full of toys and bikes and seeing our co-workers come together to assemble and deliver the bikes has been so rewarding,” Hickerson said.

Local 1557 is already planning to hold the bike drive again in 2025 and hopes that it will continue to grow even more.

These three examples are a testament to what being a part of the SMART-TD union family is all about, and we thank every member who made this holiday season a little brighter for their communities.

It’s December of 2022, and a hearing is taking place in Washington, D.C. on the FRA’s 2-PC rule.

As the hearing room fills, one of the attorneys for the railroad stops cold in her tracks.

She spots SMART-TD’s General Counsel Kevin Brodar and knows that she’s in for a fight.

That’s the kind of reputation that he’s rightfully earned throughout his professional life: a steadfast champion of the labor movement who stands tall in the courtroom to defend SMART-TD members and protect their rights.

Now, after a legal career spanning nearly four decades, Brodar is retiring at the end of the year.

“It’s a little scary, I have to say, going over to the other side,” Brodar admitted. “I’m peering over the edge of the abyss.”

He’s been slowly saying his goodbyes over the past few months, which has given him plenty of time to reflect on both the people he’s worked with and the experiences that he’s had at SMART-TD.

“It’s a little bittersweet, because you work with people and then you develop a bond and it’s more than just a working relationship. It’s a friendship,” Brodar said.

Long Road to a Labor Legal Career

After graduating from Duquesne University, Brodar moved across the country to attend law school at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington and initially wanted to be a public defender.

But after his first year of law school, he wasn’t sure that was the path he wanted to pursue.

As he sat in class listening to lectures about real property law, Brodar worried that he made a mistake.

“I’m listening to this and I’m thinking ‘This is nothing like what I thought it was going to be,’” he remembered.

Not wanting to move all the way back across the country already, his wife convinced him to tough it out for his first year.

Once he started his second year of law school, Brodar had the opportunity to choose some electives.

One option that caught his attention: labor law.

“That real property class was so Greek,” Brodar said laughing. “This (labor law course) was like everything I knew.”

Growing up in a heavily industrialized section of Pittsburgh, Brodar estimates that 90% of the people in his community were blue-collar workers. By his best guess, 90% of that group were also union members.

His father, brother, and an uncle all worked on the railroad, so it wasn’t surprising that Brodar was drawn to practicing labor law.

Earning the highest grade in his class didn’t hurt either.

“That first semester, second year, I was like ‘Bam! This is it,’” Brodar said.

From the NLRB to SMART-TD, Brodar Makes an Impact

After receiving his Master of Laws (LLM) with a concentration in Labor Law from Georgetown University and beginning his career with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Brodar was hired by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET) in 1989 before being approached by the United Transportation Union (UTU) in 1991 to join the organization as a full-time litigator.

He’s never looked back.

But whether it was making an impact through several cases of first impression, litigating in federal district and appellate courts all over the country, or ensuring that SMART-TD members received historic raises and saw no major changes to healthcare during the last round of national negotiations, Brodar never let his professional accomplishments overshadow why he wanted to practice labor law.

“Being a litigator wasn’t the be all and end all of everything,” Brodar said. “It was working for a cause, and that’s why you work on this side of the fence. That’s kind of what drove me all these years: that you’re working for something greater than yourself.”

SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson thanks Brodar for his many years of standing up for workers at his recent retirement celebration.

Those who have been lucky enough to cross paths with him at SMART-TD agree.

“From his first day as counsel for the UTU to his instrumental role in shaping the victories of SMART-TD, Kevin has been the ultimate protector of our members,” said SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson. “Since I stepped into my role as President in 2019, I’ve been fortunate to rely on Kevin’s knowledge and experience in some of our union’s most difficult fights. Kevin’s legacy is one of dedication and unmatched service to the labor movement, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”

SMART-TD Vice President & International Representative Brent Leonard agrees.

“He really does care about the organization,” said Leonard. “Not just the people he works with, but also the members we represent.”

Leonard predicts that there will be a noticeable void once Brodar retires.

“People always feel better when they know that there’s somebody there that has the answers,” Leonard explained. “It’s this certain comfort that everything will be okay, because you know what? Kevin knows what to do.”

Looking to the Future

Stepping up to fill Brodar’s role is Erika Diehl-Gibbons, who is the current Associate General Counsel at SMART-TD.

Leonard believes that there’s no one who’s better prepared for the job.

“We’re excited to have Erika coming in and filling the role,” Leonard said. “She’s been with us for a long time, and she’s going to be a fantastic General Counsel. I know she looks at Kevin as a mentor, and I know he’s mentored her to carry the torch.”

As Brodar prepares to wrap up a lengthy legal career that’s been spent fighting for workers, he’s hopeful that he was simply able to make an impact.

“It really has been a blessing to be able to have this job,” Brodar reflected. “It’s something that’s provided a lot of fulfillment that I’ve been able to help people, which was my whole goal.”