Author: alyssahansen
With extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures leaving many of us sweltering this week, it’s impossible to ignore the danger these conditions present to railroad workers.
Some of these heat-related concerns were discussed during Tuesday’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hearing on its proposed new rule aimed at preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses.
Railroading includes unavoidable heat exposure
SMART-TD is mindful of the dangerous realities of working in the rail industry, which Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director Jared Cassity emphasized in his testimony.
“Railroading is unlike any other job I’ve ever had, despite the fact that all have required me to work outside,” said Cassity. “I think it’s critically important that you understand the nuances of railroading, the existing challenges, and the need for sufficient planning.”
When it comes to the impact that heat has on workers, Cassity notes that the rail industry can sometimes fall through the cracks.
“The risk and the effects of heat are just as real for us as they are for anyone else,” he pointed out. “The exposures are long, the tests are difficult, and the need for proper planning, assessing, monitoring, communicating and training could not be greater.”
A six-mile walk in the sun
With unexpected breakdowns on the rise, often happening in less-than-ideal locations, conductors can quickly feel the effects of heat when making the long trek to the back of their trains.
“[Conductors] can be forced to walk more than three miles on this difficult terrain just to get to the end of their train,” Cassity emphasized. “This takes energy and time, both of which are extremely problematic when exposed to extreme heat. That means without any repairs, just walking, a worker will be in the heat for more than two hours and limited to the water that he or she can carry.”
That “difficult terrain” encompasses a broad range of environments.
“Railroading is not pretty, but it does traverse some of the best and worst landscapes this nation has to offer,” said Cassity. “But that also means that workers are tasked with walking trains in the desert, the mountains, or everything in between. This is where the rule would go a long way toward protecting the men and women working on or with America’s freight trains.”
Lack of regulations is a major problem
Cassity explained that one of the biggest heat safety issues facing rail workers is the lack of functioning air conditioning in the cabs of locomotives, if it exists at all.
Whether you’re moving or stopped, things can get very hot very quickly.
“[In] a locomotive that doesn’t have working air conditioning, you are solely limited to the ambient air that is moving,” Cassity noted. “When you’re moving and when you’re idle, it gets really hot. I mean, if you can imagine sitting in a steel box while the sun beats down…some of the hottest experiences of my life, frankly, have been in a locomotive without working air conditioning.”
Rest without retaliation
According to Cassity, what the railroad industry needs the most is established guidelines that outline when an employee must take a break or what to do when rest, shade, or hydration isn’t immediately available.
That’s usually easier said than done.
“Most members that we represent on Class I railroads probably don’t take rest for fear of the repercussions from management and doing it,” said Cassity. “Even in the middle of summer, it is not something that’s readily talked about. There’s this theory that you can take breaks but knowing when that should occur or how that should occur is really not prevalent, and it’s one of the reasons that we are so firmly supportive of this: plans that protect the worker from discipline when trying to take the safest course and that empower and encourage them to be proactive and seeking breaks from the elements rather than powering through it.”
Class I Railroads Can and Should Improve
During the hearing, the American Short Line and Railroad Association (ASLRRA) said that the proposed rule is “overly burdensome” and shouldn’t apply to railroads, because they’re already regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The organization added that it already has procedures in place to deal with heat-related emergencies, even though there supposedly aren’t many of them.
Cassity says that’s not the case for larger railroads.
“I also heard a lot of the conversation regarding the data and the suggestion or notion that there’s not very many heat-related injuries. In my experience, we have quite a few. They’re just not reported accurately or appropriately. And to me, that speaks to the fact that they’re not quite equipped to respond to those heat-related emergencies. I do not believe it to be a big lift for them.”
What’s Next
Hearings on OSHA’s proposed rule continue until July 2.
As we’ve said before and as Brother Cassity stressed, the safety and well-being of rail workers cannot be an afterthought.
It’s time for our industry to take responsibility and for OSHA to ensure rail workers get the protection we deserve.
Denver, CO — June 2025
This week marks a major milestone in SMART-TD’s commitment to education, empowerment, and union solidarity as the Regional Training Seminar (RTS) in Denver, Colorado, sets a new attendance record. Over 300 brothers and sisters participated in our most impactful training event yet.
From Local Necessity to National Impact
What started with a handful of determined SMART-TD local unions five years ago has blossomed into a pillar of our union’s educational outreach. The RTS program was born from a simple but powerful idea: if locals couldn’t afford to send officers to attend a large annual training event, why not bring the education directly to them?
Through trial, error, and constant feedback from our members, the RTS program has been honed and expanded. The curriculum is now widely recognized as an indispensable resource for local officers and emerging leaders.
But don’t take our word for it: the proof is in the results.
Education Drives Transformative Results
Since the inception of the RTS, our union has seen a dramatic and notable increase in the win rate of appeals, a direct result of thoroughly prepared Local Chairpersons who are now better equipped to stand up for their members. That’s an easy metric to quantify, but the improvements don’t stop there.
Our Presidents, Legislative Representatives (LRs) and Secretaries & Treasurers (S&Ts) are performing at a higher level than ever. Union reporting has become more timely and accurate, and the volume and quality of legislation SMART-TD drives at the state and local level has increased significantly. These gains stem from one core cause: the power of education.
This is an idea that SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson emphasized during his address to attendees.
“The success of our RTS education program is a direct reflection of our members’ commitment to each other. I’m immensely proud of every SMART-TD member who makes the effort to show up, sharpen their skills, and carry that knowledge back to their locals. This is how we win—not just in appeals or grievances, but in every arena of rail labor representation.”
Denver’s Local 202 Leads from the Front
Hosting this historic event was SMART-TD Local 202 out of Denver, which set a shining example of active participation. From the Local President, to the Secretary Treasurer, to Legislative Representatives and up-and-coming officers, Local 202 had representation in every training track.
Local 202 members wore their union pride on their sleeves, literally, with custom-designed SMART-TD Local 202 shirts. It was easy to spot someone from Denver, who were always ready to help a fellow attendee. They lived up to the old railroad wisdom: “Be where the work is.” This week, the work was in Denver, and Local 202 was right in the thick of it.
Building Momentum Across the Nation
The word is out. The curriculum is stronger than ever. The results are visible and impressive. As interest and participation continues to grow, RTS becomes more than training: it’s a movement that is the envy of rail labor across the country.
Our momentum is driven by our members who see that knowledge is more than power. It’s protection. It’s advocacy. It’s unity.
Help us break more records, one training session at a time.
If you haven’t attended an RTS yet, start planning now. We have two more regional training events in 2025. Registration is currently open for our next RTS in Anaheim, California, from September 8-11. The last one for the year will be held in Atlanta, GA from October 27-30.
Stay tuned for 2026 dates and locations, where we will bring the tools, expertise, and solidarity to a region near you.
The Anaheim Regional Training Seminar (RTS) begins on Monday, September 8, 2025, with an evening Welcome Reception. The training will cover topics such as local governance, the roles and responsibilities of local presidents, secretaries, treasurers, legislative representatives, and local chairpersons in member advocacy, an overview of the SMART Constitution, and other key subjects.
- Location: Hotel FERA Anaheim, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- Dates: September 8-11, 2025 (S&T : September 8-12)
- Room Rate: $159/night
- Registration Fee: $75
For a detailed meeting agenda, please visit the Meetings page via the SMART Union mobile app.
We look forward to seeing you in Anaheim!
Space in some of the training tracks is limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Register early.
Registration closes on August 25, 2025, and there will be no onsite registration available.
To Register for Classes: RTS Registration ►
To Book Your Hotel Reservation: Hotel Reservation Link ►
Please note: Attendees are responsible for making their hotel reservations. To ensure that you secure a room at the discounted rate, please make your reservation by August 11.
For more information, contact Nick Torres in the SMART-TD office at 216-227-5269 or by email at ntorres@smart-union.org.
Too often, the drivers of vehicles that block a railroad crossing fail to notice the blue and white Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs that can prevent tragedy. Operation Lifesaver wants to change that.
Tomorrow (June 24) marks the first-ever Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign Awareness Day, which draws attention to the potentially life-saving significance of these signs for the general public.
Help spread the word: click here to access a digital toolkit that you can use to raise awareness about rail safety and ENS Signs in your community. ►
You can also help Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) by e-mailing your effort to promote their campaign with news@oli.org, or use the hashtags #ENSSignAwarenessDay, #ENS, #ENSSign, #FindTheSign and #StopTrackTragedies on social media.
Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver is on a mission to reduce preventable crashes, injuries, and deaths on and near railroad tracks.
ENS Sign Awareness Day is aimed at helping the public understand what to do if there’s an emergency at a railroad crossing.
ENS Signs list a phone number and location details that callers can relay directly to the railroad during an emergency or if they spot a safety concern near the tracks.
If your car gets stuck on a railroad crossing, get out of your vehicle and if a train is not approaching, locate the blue and white ENS sign that’s posted on the traffic signs.
Don’t forget to provide the crossing number that identifies your location so that train traffic can be alerted.
When every second counts, knowing how to locate and use the information on these blue and white signs can be the difference between life and death.
If you can’t locate the sign in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
“Find the Blue and White to Save Your Life”
With over 200,000 railroad crossings in the United States, OLI encourages all Americans to know how to find and use an ENS Sign.
The life you save could be yours.
Our union was formed when individual workers banded together to protect themselves, and that foundation is still the basis for who we are today.
As we grow in numbers, we grow in power — but no matter how we grow, our purpose never changes: members helping members receive just treatment, fair wages and the resources needed to endure difficult times.
Our strength is demonstrated in our agreements, our efforts to improve laws and regulations, and in the benefits our pooled resources secure for our mutual benefit.
New Properties Choose SMART-TD
Since January, we’ve had three short-line railroads join SMART-TD, often by unanimous or overwhelmingly large margins.
The first was Wilmington Terminal Railroad, which is a subsidiary of Genesse and Wyoming.
Working without representation under G&W since 2005, the workers voted unanimously to join SMART-TD in January 2025.
Two weeks later another G&W property, Connecticut Southern Railroad, also joined our union in a nearly unanimous vote.
Connecticut Southern workers struggled to get results under an umbrella agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE). When they finally decided it was time to raise their voice, they chose to speak through SMART-TD instead.
The most recent addition to the SMART-TD family came in June when workers from both the Transportation and Engine (T&E) crafts as well as the Maintenance of Way (MOW) crafts with the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad (A&M) voted to organize in a landslide.
Our size, strength and expertise are important factors in these choices.
But, more importantly, our organizers and representatives understand something fundamental: it’s not about SMART-TD.
On every property and with every negotiation, the focus is on our members being heard. Our strength backs their initiative, and together we build better workplaces.
This is just a snapshot of what our Organizing Department has accomplished at the halfway point of the year. They’re just getting started.
TD is Trained to Win Strong Agreements
Negotiating strong agreements is the cornerstone of our success.
It’s hard to argue against our value when fair compensation, humane workplace practices, and just treatment are spelled out in the black and white of our negotiated agreements.
There is no union without our members, and there is no other way to ensure individual voices are heard, actual needs are met, and that the demand for respect on the job is satisfied.
Whether it’s new hires at Zum Transportation (Local 1706) getting a front-row seat to SMART-TD’s Bus Department’s negotiations with their new employer or ratifying a precedent-setting tentative agreement for Local 1732 at TransitAmerica Services Inc. (TASI) in California, our union fights like hell for our members at the bargaining table and beyond.
Our members’ pay and benefits should reflect the professionalism, knowledge, and dedication that they bring to the job.
We saw this firsthand with several tentative agreements (TA) that were overwhelmingly or unanimously ratified during the first half of the year. These include conductors and assistant conductors negotiating with Keolis Commuter Services, bus operators ratifying a new four-year agreement with Red Apple Transit in New Mexico, and Local 1887 members securing meaningful change with Birmingham Terminal Railway.
Our negotiating teams redefine what’s possible for rail, bus, and transit wages across the country.
We didn’t stop there.
Within the last two months, agreements have been reached between SMART-TD Local 598 and the Alabama Port Authority, California Local 1741’s Local Committee of Adjustment (LCA) and San Carlos Schools, and SMART-TD Local 1701 and Montebello Transit.
SMART-TD Ratification Record Driven by Listening to Local Needs
Since 2024, SMART-TD’s General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) 049 has secured TA’s with five short-line railroads, including the Louisville & Indiana (L&I) Railroad last year.
Three of those TA’s have been ratified, another is currently being voted on by the members, and the last one is about to go up for a vote.
GCA 049 General Chairperson Rick Lee points out that “The biggest difference [with the short lines] I think was the inclusion of the local guys,” Lee explained. “One of the keys of success [is that] we’ve always included our short-line local chairmen in the negotiations.”
That wasn’t the case when they were under different representation.
“They basically had no input. It was basically a product handed over to them,” GC Lee said. “They were very pleased with the fact that the local chairman was at the bargaining table and of course [the local chairmen] really the eyes and ears of those local properties. I don’t know the little nuances of the important facts they bring to the table.”
That’s why so many new properties choose to organize with SMART-TD: we make it happen by including them in the process as much as possible.
Together, our union is creating a movement, and these victories are proof.
June 1, 2025 — When Local 816 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Secretary & Treasurer Missie Tober first heard about the MUDGIRL Obstacle Race from her cousin, she thought it sounded interesting.
After an ad for it popped up on her news feed last year, she convinced Local Committee of Adjustment (LCA) 769A Local Chairperson Annmarie Grisafi and Tonya Bragunier (Local 816) to sign up and join her.
The group had such a great time that they added two more union sisters, Dominique Cooper and Lexi Jones, for this year’s event at the Pocono Raceway.
Showing Their Union Pride
Sister Tober wanted everyone to wear something that represented their job but hit a roadblock trying to contact Amtrak directly.
Luckily, former GO-769 General Chairperson Rick Pauli put her in touch with SMART-TD International, who outfitted the group with shirts for the race.
“All my friends from work are doing this, and I wanted to represent something (the shirts) from our job,” said Sister Tober.
3 Miles of Mud to Fight Breast Cancer
MUDGIRL is a three-mile obstacle race in the mud that’s open to women of all ages and fitness levels.
“It doesn’t matter your age, your height, your weight, your anything,” explained Sister Tober. “If you’re not comfortable with an obstacle, you don’t have to do it.
The event is held in various cities across the country throughout the year and supports the fight against breast cancer.
The fact that Sister Cooper, Sister Jones, and other Amtrak employees have family members who are also breast cancer survivors made the group’s participation even more meaningful.
“It just shows that we can get together, we can work together, we can support each other and be there for each other as a group in a community,” explained Sister Tober. “These crew bases are like families. We spend the majority of our time with each other, and we do support each other 100%.”
After losing her sister a few years ago, Sister Tober saw this firsthand.
“Coming back to work was very difficult, but every single one of them was there for me,” she remembered. “Every single one of them reached out to me when I was at home. We’re there for each other. We actually have formed friendships and bonds.”
Larger Team to Return to Poconos Next Year
With a year to go until the next MUDGIRL in The Poconos, the group is already getting prepared, including adding two more women from Harrisburg and a few from Philadelphia to the team.
“The one girl actually rents a house for the weekend,” said Sister Tober. “She takes a little vacation, rents a house in The Poconos for the weekend, and we all stay there. It’s great bonding for the women at Amtrak.”
Sister Tober encourages women from any Amtrak crew base to look up “MUDGIRL Obstacle Race,” see if there’s one taking place near them, and sign up to participate as a team.
The bonds formed will go beyond the obstacle course or the crew room.
“It’s just a really fun time, and it’s a very supportive way for women to get together and it’s for a wonderful cause.”
The SMART-Transportation Division is proud to announce a new benefit allowing members and their families to reach their higher or continuing education goals.
In partnership with Employee Benefit Systems, Inc. (EBS), the Union College Benefit provides discounted tuition at accredited colleges and universities across the country.
“I’m proud that we’re now able to offer this benefit to our members and their immediate family members who are interested in continuing their education” said SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson. “Whether on the rails, on the road, or when it’s time to hit the books, our union is once again setting the standard for what it means to support our members in every aspect of their lives. We welcome our partnership with EBS and hope that our brothers and sisters will take advantage of this educational opportunity.”
Tuition discounts are available for more than 150 programs, including Business & Finance, and Information Technology. A complete list of courses and participating colleges and universities can be found on the SMART-TD EBS website.
Learn on Your Schedule
The programs are fully online and can be completed on a part or full-time basis. The ability to study without a fixed schedule ensures that students can pursue and achieve their educational goals on their own terms, at a pace that fits within their valuable and often limited free time.
Members who take advantage of this benefit receive a pre-enrollment evaluation to determine how existing credits (if applicable) may impact their degree. Various student support services are available to help navigate the challenges that can come with returning to college after an extended period.
Veterans who apply will have full access to hard earned and well-deserved GI Bill benefits.
To get started on the next step in your education journey, follow these three steps:
- Request your match by completing the interest form detailing your educational and career goals, which takes less than five minutes to fill out
- Get matched with a college or university that aligns with your experience, goals, and interests
- An admissions counselor will reach out with detailed, specific information, including your out-of-pocket costs, transfer credits, and instructions on completing the admissions process
Click here to learn more about the program and take the next step in your academic journey today. ►
Disclaimer: Participation in the Union College Benefit program is entirely voluntary. This communication is for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement of Employee Benefit Systems, Inc. (EBS) or of any particular college or program offered through this benefit. Members are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence to determine whether a particular institution or program aligns with their individual educational and professional goals.
When Brother Dave Stevenson (Local 0898, Boston) became SMART-TD’s New England Safety & Legislative Director last May, he hit the ground running.
In one year, his State Legislative Board signed up 120 members for the TD Political Action Committee (PAC), which is completely voluntary.
“Getting members involved in the TD-PAC is big,” explained SLD Stevenson. “The legislative part of our union is kind of the horsepower behind the union.”
This support solidifies our union’s status as a powerful force at the Massachusetts Legislature. SLD Stevenson and his team have moved the needle on critical policy issues while shepherding this increase in political participation.
PAC Contributions Power Safety Laws, Relationships and Influence
Our brothers and sisters in New England are seeing a tangible return on their investment when it comes to legislative and policy issues that impact our members.
“When they see bills that we’re running, when they see me and [BTAPS Vice Chairperson] Cole Czub (Local 0898, Boston) at the State House, that proves to them that their money is not being wasted and that money is going somewhere,” said SLD Stevenson.
“We have politicians showing up for us,” SLD Stevenson pointed out. “When we had a contract, we had all the Massachusetts delegation sign a letter to Keolis telling them to get this deal done. When I talk about the PAC, I bring that letter from the Massachusetts delegation, and I say ‘Hey, these guys have got our back…let’s help them out.’”
SLD Stevenson specifically highlights the pending Transit Worker Assault Bill, which 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 as an example of members’ return on investment.
The Governor of Massachusetts even thanked SLD Stevenson by name during a recent press conference at Boston Engine Terminal.
“People listen to us,” Stevenson said.
SMART-TD Engages in Non-Partisan Political Action
“When I talk to people about the PAC program, I make sure to talk about how we’re one of the few unions that gives to both sides,” SLD Stevenson noted. “We’ll give to Democrats. We’ll give to Republicans. I think that kind of resonates, because our members are diverse in their political leanings.”
Small Contributions Add Up
“When I explained that we’ll stand with anyone who stands with rail safety, rail labor, that helps them want to contribute.”
Even more important than the addition of political dollars is how plugged in and active our members in New England are becoming.
“[It’s basically the cost of] a coffee a month,” explained SLD Stevenson. “That money, no matter how small it is, is definitely going towards something.”
Ultimately, Stevenson knows that his team’s actions speak louder than their words.
“Once the members see you out there doing stuff, going to events, meeting these people, letting them know our issues, staying in front of them, people seem to be very receptive,” Stevenson added. “It’s going directly towards contracts, towards rail safety, towards two-person crew (2-PC).”
Conductor, Union Pacific Railroad
Member of SMART-TD Locals 524 and 200
It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of Brother Robert Allen “Robbie” Gardner, a cherished member of SMART-TD Local 524 and a proud conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad. Brother Gardner passed away while working a local out of UP’s yard in Lufkin, Texas, on June 9, 2025, at the young age of 43.
To honor his memory and support the family he leaves behind, Brother Dorian Fortner, Vice President of Local 524, has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help ease the burden of his final expenses. We urge all members who are able to help support his family, and to show the love and unity that Robert always embodied.
Donate to the GoFundMe for Robert Gardner’s Family ►
Brother Gardner was a man of deep faith, kindness, and unwavering generosity. His strong belief in God shone through in his everyday actions, especially in the way he treated his coworkers and everyone he met. In the crew room and out on the rails, he was known as “the guy who would give the shirt off his back.” His warm presence, compassionate spirit, and sincere camaraderie made him the kind of brother we all strive to be.
Gardner began his railroading journey in North Platte, Nebraska, where he hired out with Union Pacific and first joined SMART-TD Local 200. In 2024, the job brought him to Lufkin, Texas, where he became a valued member of Local 524. Though he was proud to be part of both the 524 and 200 families during his career, the family he treasured most was his beloved wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters.
Brother Fortner shared that “Robert’s family was his world. We are praying for them and would love to bless them with something in this time of need.”
Visitation for Brother Gardner will be held Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm (Central time) at the Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church (1407 Ellis Avenue, Lufkin, TX 75904.
Funeral Services will immediately follow the Visitation at 4:00 pm in the same location.