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Thanks to the efforts of SMART-TD, railroad workers in New Jersey who receive disability payments under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) are protected from increases to their property tax bills. These so-called “homesteader reimbursements” have long protected social security recipients but inadvertently missed railroaders who are covered by different laws.  

New Jersey State Safety & Legislate Director Ron Sabol explains the loophole.



“We’ve had permanently disabled railroad workers on permanent railroad retirement disability benefits denied the homestead rebate program because of the way the law reads. That’s not right, ” he said. “Our members and all railroad workers in New Jersey have paid their dues and deserve to be able to take advantage of a program that’s utilized by many of their friends and neighbors.” 

The bill, with SMART-TD’s backing, received unanimous support in the New Jersey legislature and was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on March 6, 2025. 



Read the legislation ► 



A-1672/S-1285 adds disabled railroad workers to the pool of people eligible for New Jersey’s existing Senior Freeze Program.

Union Legislative Directors Safeguard Railroad Workers’ Benefits 

SMART-TD was involved in promoting the bill from the beginning. First introduced in January 2024, it took some time for the bill to gain momentum and start moving.  


With 2025 on the horizon, SLD Sabol was determined that the legislation move swiftly through the remaining committees and reach the governor’s desk for his signature. Sabol knew the change was long overdue. 

“All railroaders that sacrificed their time on the railroad, they end up either disabled from a work-related injury or from a sickness of some kind that puts them on permanent railroad retirement benefits. They weren’t entitled to the same things that other disabled persons in New Jersey were,” Sabol explained. “So, we made that change happen.”  

Congratulations to SLD Sabol on his legislative victory and thank you to every Safety and Legislative Director for your vigilance. All of our brothers and sisters are better off because of your hard work!  

 

After becoming a union member in 2014, Jessica Martin (Local 594) knew that she wanted to get involved.


There was just one problem: she didn’t know exactly how to make that happen. Everything changed at a run-of-the-mill union meeting when she was nominated to be a legislative representative for her local.


“I didn’t even know what a legislative representative was!” she said, laughing. “I was just at the union meeting, and I always wanted to be involved.”


Since no one ran against her, Sister Martin officially became the legislative representative.


“It was mine,” she reflected. “I was excited. I like my position, and I really enjoy it.”

No Such Thing as a Typical Day 

When Sister Martin is asked what a typical day looks like as a conductor for Union Pacific, her response is surprising.


“It seems like it’d be so easy to tell people what it is you do all day at work. It just depends on the train, really. I bounce around a lot.”


That also means that she often works with someone new.


“It seems like I work with somebody different every day,” she explained. “Even though it’s always a different person, it seems like we always have the same conversation.”


While she says that working on the railroad makes it feel like she has a hundred little brothers, Sister Martin admits it’s nice change of pace when she gets the opportunity to work with other women.


“When I do, it’s so nice,” she said. “We’re wired differently, and it’s so nice to catch a trip with someone who’s naturally irritated by the same things. I think it’d be wonderful to have more sisters and more solidarity.”

Building Relationships on the Local Level 

After three years as a legislative representative, Sister Martin has a good grasp of her role and the responsibilities that come along with it.


Some of that includes handling members’ safety concerns and issues.


She’s also in charge of ensuring that various calls to action are carried out and spreading that vital information, even if that means finding (or, as she puts it, tracking down) members to make sure they’re in the loop.

“I try to be real knowledgeable on everything that’s going on,” she explained.

But as Sister Martin admits, it wasn’t always that easy, especially right after she was elected to her position.

She was enthusiastic and ready to get to work but didn’t know where to begin.


As a first step, Sister Martin reached out to Texas State Safety & Legislative Director Kamron Saunders for advice.


“[I told him that] I really want to do this job, and I want to do it well, but I don’t know what to do,” she remembered.


To start learning the ropes, Sister Martin went to a previous SMART-TD Regional Training Seminar (RTS) that was held in San Antonio.


What she took away from that experience was reinforced at this month’s RTS that was held in Dallas.

“I think it’s incredible that we’re coming here and all of the things we’re going over in class like how to talk to people and be respectful of their body language and things like that,” she emphasized. “ I think it’s very important, because a lot of the concerns, a lot of the issues…[members aren’t] gonna just come directly to you. It just comes naturally with relationships you build with people.”

Getting Things Done 

Building those relationships are a big part of what Sister Martin enjoys about being a legislative representative.

“You catch more flies with honey,” she explained. “It helps to be patient and nice. You can’t go in there slamming your hand on the table and expect to get a lot of things done.”

It’s safe to say that Sister Martin hasn’t had a problem getting things done.



She points out that lighting issues have been big in the past year, so she got lights put up in a yard in Mineola.

After that, she had a moment where the lights literally clicked on, and she realized that lights were needed in other places, too.



“It makes it a lot better if you can see what you’re doing at night,” she said. “It’s important.”

These victories at home remind Sister Martin of why she’s so dedicated to speaking up for members on the local level.



“I like being on the local level. I feel like it’s very important to have somebody on the local level that’s gonna do the job well,” she emphasized. “I would be very frustrated if somebody took my position and didn’t do the job at all. You’re looking out for your brothers and your sisters. You’re keeping people safe at the end of the day, and that’s my favorite part about it.”

Banding Together for our Future 

Growing up in a rail union family where her father held multiple leadership positions and her grandfather put together the newsletters, Sister Martin remembers riding around to yard offices and seeing that solidarity on display.  

“There was so much pride,” she remembers. “You didn’t mess with them. They’re banded together. That’s not a thing anymore.”



She cites the fact that it’s often the same handful of people at union meetings and the frustration of getting members involved or responding to calls to action as reasons why we need to look internally to increase participation.  

Otherwise, the results may be difficult to reverse.  

“If you have a campfire and you don’t ever put wood on it, it’s gonna die out. Our fire is getting real low. We have to stick together.” 

Thanks to local leaders like Sister Martin, extra logs and some Kerosene are being thrown on that fire every day, ensuring that the SMART-TD union is well-positioned for the future.

In 1954, union membership among American workers reached a high of 35%.



Nearly 70 years later, that same number plummeted to just 10% in 2023.


So, what’s the reason for this jolting drop? Several factors have played a role in the decline, but SMART-TD’s dedicated and passionate organizers are determined to change the narrative, grow our union, and help protect as many Americans as possible.

Turning Talk into Action

SMART-TD’s Organizing Department met in late February to plan their next steps.

Our tireless organizers are actively pursuing campaigns on 12 (10 rail and two bus) properties and acquired five new properties during the Fourth Quarter of 2024.




Applications for new membership also grew, reaching a total of over 8,000 by the end of the year.

Fighting a Broken System

Higher union representation translates into a smaller wealth gap across the country.


Unfortunately, that gap has widened since the 1980s.


Broken labor laws that favor corporate special interest groups and big business tilted the balance of power against the armies of workers who get the job done. This presents many organizing challenges.



Thanks to infamous and well-known union-busting tactics, employers can sow doubt or even swing the vote as soon as they catch wind of any organizing talk.


Captive audience meetings to force anti-union propaganda on their employees were previously banned but are now allowed under the new administration. Selective firings are another of many strategies employers use to protect their “right” to abuse the power they wield over their employees. They often use every trick in the book to sabotage organizing efforts.


Companies often cross the line. They illegally interfere with organizing elections 41% of the time. 20% of workers organizing a vote are illegally fired for their pro-union activity.


The numbers are striking, and the heroism of our brothers and sisters who successfully form a local is unquestioned.

Growing Our Ranks

SMART-TD’s organizers will not be intimidated by a union-busting playbook or employers seeking to line their pockets.


In fact, every corporate misdeed is proof that our work is important. These abuses are our motivation to increase our efforts, expand our team, and sharpen our skill set. We fight. We hold management accountable. And when we have solidarity with one another, we win.

As the saying goes “There is strength in numbers.” And we must all do our part in efforts keeping this union strong and growing into the future.

SMART-TD’s organizers are fired up and ready for a successful and productive 2025!

Many high schoolers spend their summers working as a lifeguard or at a local restaurant.  

Senior year, Martha Claugus worked as a tour guide for Alaska Railroad.  

“It’s a pretty cool program because the tourists get a real Alaskan kid who is also very knowledgeable in the history of the railroad. You know what you’re seeing outside your window, that sort of thing,” she explained.  

She planned to go to college and work as a brakeman over the summer, because it would help pay for her room and board at school.  

Little did she know that her summer job would lead to a 30-year career.  

“I was making so much money and doing a job that was incredibly interesting…way more interesting than working in a coffee shop or sitting in a cubicle,” she said. “So I decided to keep on going. Within two years, I was fully promoted to an engineer, and there was just really no turning back at that point. It was time to stay and make this my career.”  

Regular paycheck evolves into a second family

After becoming a union member in September 1997, Claugus quickly realized that she was part of something so much more than a career.  

“[The union] is there to support you in every way, not just getting you better benefits but also supporting you when you have incidents, even outside personal and family issues,” she explained. “We’ve had lots of members who have had family issues, and the union rallies together and supports them.”  

For example, when a union sister’s home burned down several years ago the local rallied together to get her new furniture and a GoFundMe to help rebuild her life.  

“The union pulls together and supports their employees through everything: life incidents, work incidents, whatever. I think that’s one of the best things about being a member of the union is just the support that you get and the kind of constant knowing that someone always has your back around here.” 

That’s an idea that she believes is starting to reach non-members, too.  

“Being a member, of this union in particular, has absolutely made this job easier for me and made mine and my family’s life better,” she said. “The fights that the union has put up for, not just for me but for the entire membership are all things that people who aren’t union members are kind of realizing what they’ve given up, that really affect your quality of life.” 

Changing times bring new attitudes 

Sister Claugus has seen her fair share of changes over her career. One of the most noticeable shifts is the atmosphere and attitude towards women on the job. 

“When I hired out 28 years ago, women weren’t necessarily welcome in a lot of ways,” she remembered. “You had to really prove yourself, and it could be demeaning at times. I think a lot of attitudes have changed. Women are a lot more accepted.” 

That wasn’t the case when she hired on. She estimates that there are about twice as many women in the local today as when she started out. 

“I was told that I was taking a man’s job…that I was basically taking food out of some other family’s mouth, because I was taking up a space that a man could take to support his family,” she said. “No recognition of my own family, just their family. I can’t possibly imagine, at least on my railroad, someone saying that to one of the women who work here now.” 

Ultimately, her choice to work was the best decision for her family, and she wants her union sisters to know the power to make that decision belongs to them, regardless of the outside noise.  

“I think that the most important thing that women as a whole and humans as a whole need to recognize is it’s important that we have that choice,” she pointed out. “We can choose to stay home or choose not to stay home. Whatever is going to be best for us and our family. I’m absolutely a better parent, because I went to work every day and gave myself a feeling of accomplishment for coming to work every day and earning for my family and doing good things at work.” 

Charting new territory for women on Alaska Railroad

When it comes to other women who want to work in the rail industry, Sister Claugus acknowledges that it’s sometimes easier said than done. 

“It’s a difficult industry to see yourself breaking into, right?” she asked. “Especially on the rail side, it’s difficult in a lot of ways, especially for engineers on freight trains because we’re very nameless and faceless. People don’t really see us; they just see the engine go by because the windows are closed most of the time.” 

Sister Claugus explains that not seeing an actual person do the job can be intimidating, but it’s not an impossible hurdle to overcome.  

“Put women more towards the forefront so that other women can look at that or little girls,” she suggests. “When other women can look at that woman and say ‘Well, she could do that. I’m certain I could, too.’ To show people that we’re here and that it can be done, because in a lot of cases, until you see someone else doing it, you don’t understand that you can, too.”

For many of our members, it’s easy to assume that SMART-TD handles the creation and sale of its own merchandise, like t-shirts, sweatshirts, decals, coffee mugs, and other union swag. Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, that’s how things were done. But for the past 20 years, this hasn’t been the case. 

Check Out the Newest SMART-TD Gear 

For a full list of our preferred vendors, including American Products, visit our website from the Member Portal at smart-union.org or shop American Products SMART-TD gear directly at smarttdmerchandise.com. 

Our priority is to ensure that the items carrying our logo are of the highest quality, union-made, and produced in the United States. Choosing a partner was a matter of integrity, even if it meant not seeing profits on the balance sheets. 

A Partnership Built on Quality and Integrity 

That changed in 2005 when Sherry Schirripa and the company she represents, American Products, came into the picture. Sherry first caught the attention of UTU leadership in 2004 with a line of watches featuring our union insignia, one of the few items we didn’t produce ourselves. Her commitment to high-quality, union-made products impressed everyone, and a long-lasting partnership was born. 

Sherry Schirripa (left) representing American Products at a previous Regional Meeting

For the last two decades, Sherry and American Products have been our trusted partner. They now manage the production of our promotional items and maintain our online marketplace, ensuring that SMART-TD gear is available to all members. Sherry has also become a fixture at our larger meetings like the SMART-TD National Training Seminars, SMART Leadership Conferences, and the TD and General Conventions. 

“I have always loved working with SMART-TD, even going back to our days as the UTU. I’ve always felt like family, even as an outside vendor.” Schirripa told Smart News.  

We are proud to say that American Products has been a key player in helping us serve our members and enhance the union’s branding effort all while saving our members’ hard earned dues. 

Schirripa is always creating new clothes and gear options for Locals, State Safety and Legislative Boards, and General Committees. She wants our members to know that she now has new t-shirts featuring TD, our new Bulldog mascot.  

Thank you to Sherry and her team for their unwavering support over the years! 

To my brothers and sisters of SMART-TD, 

I am writing today with immense gratitude and appreciation for your efforts in standing up against CSX’s recent attempt to undermine the skills of railroad workers by stripping operational control of a train from the crew and entrusting it to an overly-fallible technology.  

One month ago, CSX had petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the installation of a new and advanced Trip Optimizer software in their locomotives. We reached out to you for help in determining the reality of so-called energy management systems and their effects in the cab of the locomotive.  

Read our Call for Help Fighting CSX’s Zero-to-Zero Request ► 

Dubbed Trip Optimizer Air Brake Control (TO ABC), this software was designed to control both the train’s speed, the air brakes and independent brakes, effectively taking over the job of train operation from start to finish. It would make us nothing more than screen monitors and train babysitters, with our vital skills left to atrophy. When the technology inevitably runs into a situation it can’t fix, it will just throw control back into our lap when it’s already too late.  

We know that we cannot trust the railroads to be honest or transparent with their data, so we asked you, our brothers and sisters, to share your real-world experiences with TO. We needed your stories to speak truth to the dangers and inconsistencies of this technology, and, in doing so, you helped us craft a compelling objection with filing SMART-TD’s formal objection to the FRA.  

We weren’t sure what kind of response we would get, but once again you came through for us in a big way. 

In the days that followed our request, I was flooded with emails and messages. You shared detailed, thoughtful accounts of how the current Trip Optimizer has failed to properly manage your trains, outlining the flaws that not only jeopardize your safety but also the efficiency of America’s supply chain. You spoke passionately, making it clear that this technology is not a solution, but rather a major setback. 

After reading through your feedback, I realized the best way to ensure your concerns were heard was to gather your input systematically. We created a survey that was distributed to all freight rail members on March 5 and asked you to respond by March 9. We know this was a tough ask. With only 10 hours between calls to work, you are balancing the job, sleep, family, and personal time, making it difficult to take time out of your busy schedules to fill out a survey. Yet, once again, you answered the call. Thousands of you from every freight carrier stepped up and provided your feedback. 

Your response was remarkable. You made it crystal clear to CSX, Wabtec, and the FRA that the Zero-to-Zero concept is unacceptable. You highlighted dangerous flaws that compromise safety and efficiency in a misguided attempt to save a few dollars in fuel costs. Thanks to you, the fantasy that CSX painted about what they hoped to achieve with TO ABC was exposed. 

SMART-TD cannot promise that the FRA will accept our concerns or that this fight is over, but we can promise that your voices were heard. FRA, CSX, and Wabtec felt the weight of the stories you shared, and they saw the unity of the workers in this fight. Together we sent a powerful message: “The bot has control” is not something we want to hear in an industry that depends on skilled human judgment. 

To everyone who took the time to share their experiences with us and to those who completed the survey, I thank you. Your commitment to preserving the integrity of our profession and securing a future for generations of railroaders is something I will never forget. You made sure the real story was told as we continue to fight for the future of our industry. 

I encourage all members to take a moment to read the public comment that SMART-TD submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration, officially objecting to the idea of Trip Optimizer taking full control of our trains. 

Read SMART-TD’s Public Comment to the FRA ► 

Once again, thank you. Your voice, commitment, and efforts make SMART-TD strong. 

In solidarity, 
Jared Cassity
Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director, SMART-TD 

Honoring the Commitment, Dedication, and Advocacy of Our Members 

March 18th is National Transit Employee Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to the hardworking men and women who drive, operate, and maintain the public transit systems across the United States. This day honors the transit employees who keep our communities moving. 

A Rich History of Service 

March 18 was chosen to honor the history of public transportation, as it marks the day in 1662 when public buses were first introduced in Paris, France. The modern era of public transit was born, ushering in a tradition of service and connectivity that has shaped cities and societies ever since.  

In 2009 the day was first observed as National Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the United States. In 2014 the day was expanded to honor all transit employees, including those in passenger and commuter rail, thus becoming known as National Transit Employee Appreciation Day.  

A Day to Honor Transit Professionals

Our bus and rail workers face countless challenges in their daily shifts, from the pressures of tight schedules and the ongoing threat of violence in the workplace to the extraordinary challenges posed by global pandemics like COVID-19. Yet, despite these difficulties, they continue to serve the public with pride and resilience. 

We thank our bus operators, conductors, and rail workers for their service to the transportation industry. But we also thank them for their exceptional service to one another through the power of our union. Through relentless advocacy and action, our collective voices are heard loud and clear at all levels of leadership, from local management to our state and federal legislatures. We stand together and we are heard. 

Leadership and Advocacy for a Stronger Future

In recent years SMART-TD’s Bus Department has seen an unprecedented surge in momentum. Our transit professionals have won stronger leadership and better protections in the workplace, and their relentless push for improvement is still ramping up.  

One such initiative, the Bus Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) committee, has worked tirelessly to create meaningful improvements in safety and respect for transit professionals. 

We see real changes in the protection, recognition, and respect afforded to our transit members as a result. Today’s transit employees are leaders in the ongoing fight for labor rights, and their efforts continue to inspire and shape the future of this country’s labor movement. 

More Than Just a Day of Recognition

While National Transit Employee Appreciation Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of transit professionals, our appreciation is not limited to just one day a year.  

This union celebrates our transit brothers and sisters every day. We recognize the work done, the obstacles overcome, and the professionalism displayed on the job. We are proud to stand beside you, both in the workplace and in our communities. 

Thank you for all that you do. Your contributions are invaluable, and we look forward to continuing to fight alongside you for a brighter, safer, and more just future for all transit workers. 

Irish immigrants played a crucial role in building the American railroad, with many working to build the rail system we still use today. They ran the trains that built our economy, which made this country into a global power. This is a tradition that continues today.  

The Irish laid the tracks, carved paths through mountains, and endured the most dangerous jobs on the continent.   

Watch the History of the American Railroad, Part I ► 

SMART-TD members showed up to honor these accomplishments and to salute the enduring contributions of the Irish across the country this weekend.  

We marched in two notable St. Patrick’s Day events: the historic Southside of Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16th, and the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Eastampton, New Jersey, on Saturday, March 15th. 

Chicago Southside Parade 

The renowned Chicago Southside St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a staple for 47 years, celebrating the Irish heritage of the city. The parade, known for its rich history and vibrant celebration of Irish culture, provided the perfect backdrop for SMART-TD members to show our solidarity with the Irish community and honor our institution’s roots among Irish immigrants. 

SMART-TD members marching in the famous Chicago Southside St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

SMART-TD Illinois State Safety and Legislative Director Bob Guy told SMART News that, “Our members really showed up today to highlight the work they do and I’m so proud of them. Our group was even bigger than it was last year even though the weather was worse. That didn’t deter our people because they proudly work in these conditions day in and day out.” 

Burlington County Parade: Celebrating Labor with Pride 

SMART-TD also marched in the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Eastampton, New Jersey. The parade has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated celebrations. Former SMART-TD New Jersey State Legislative Director Daniel O’Connell was honored as the Grand Marshal this year. 

Former SMART-TD New Jersey State Legislative Director Daniel O’Connell

“My Irish heritage is a source of great pride for me. To be selected as Grand Marshall and to have the opportunity to select the theme for this year’s parade are honors I will never forget,” O’Connell said.  

As Grand Marshall, O’Connell chose to honor the men and women of organized labor, with an emphasis on essential workers. Like the Irish immigrants of the past, they are due our respect as the backbone of our economy. The nation would halt without their hard work and perseverance. 

Pictured in our parade banner are Mother Jones and James Connolly. Connolly was an Irish Labor leader put to death in 1916 for his role in the “Easter Rising” against British rule in Ireland. 

Ron Sabol, SMART-TD’s current SLD in New Jersey, had this to say about his predecessor’s selection as Grand Marshall: “I want to congratulate Dan on this accomplishment and well-earned recognition. O’Connell’s connection to both his Irish heritage and the labor movement is deep-rooted. His choice to highlight essential workers and organized labor in this year’s parade theme underscores the ongoing struggles of workers today. Just as the Irish immigrant laborers of the 19th and 20th centuries stood firm in the face of adversity, we must always remember that our labor is our voice, and through solidarity, we can impact the world around us.”  

Ron Sabol (far right), current New Jersey SLD, marches in the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Role of Rail Workers in the Fight for Irish Independence 

Irish rail workers played an important role in the international labor movement and the Irish Revolution, where they tried to gain independence from the British. One of the most significant chapters in the fight for independence took place in 1920 when the Irish rail workers and longshoremen made a unified stand. They declared that they would not transport British troops, weapons, or military equipment, refusing to be complicit in British rule over Ireland.  

Their historic act of resistance was a powerful example of how solidarity has the power to shape not only our immediate surroundings but also the course of national and international events. 

Continuing the Tradition of Labor Solidarity 

SMART-TD’s participation in these parades celebrates Irish heritage, but importantly, also recognizes the vital role that solidarity plays in ensuring fair treatment and equality for all workers.  

As President Jeremy Ferguson put it, “Our labor movement has always been a source of strength for working men and women, and being present and represented in our communities is a reminder of the essential role that organized labor plays in our daily lives. We honor the sacrifices of our ancestors and stand united in our commitment to a better, fairer future for all workers.” 

As SMART-TD members continue to support one another, we as an organization also remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring the traditions of those who came before.