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Historic wage increases with no concessions

With an overwhelming vote of support on March 19, the members of SMART-TD Local 1887 proved once again that the power of our collective action is unmatched in securing lasting, meaningful change for rail workers.

The third-generation agreement ratifies a record-breaking wage increase that puts compensation at the Birmingham Terminal Railway well above any other WATCO property, union or non-union.

The agreement delivers a remarkable 26% General Wage Increase (GWI) over five years, which compounds to nearly 29% over the life of the contract.

This redefines what’s possible for short-line rail workers across the industry.

A wakeup call for nonunion railroaders

If you work at a short line, know that you don’t have to go it alone. The SMART-TD family is here with the tools, leadership, and track record to help you win.

This victory isn’t just about one location, SMART-TD is creating a movement. Workers are stronger, safer, and more secure with SMART-TD at their side. If you’re working under non-union conditions, take a hard look at what Local 1887 just accomplished and ask yourself: What could we do with SMART-TD on our side?

Solidarity and proven SMART-TD strategy win better quality of life

Lance Hollis, local chair for 1887, told SMART News that “Our members were focused on wage increases, and we made sure we got it!” Hollis added that he and all the members of 1887 were grateful for the leadership they saw from SMART-TD Vice President David Wier, Jr. and General Chair Tom Gholson. “Those guys really made it happen for us. They were right there with us, digging in and doing everything they could to make our lives better through this negotiation.”

The agreement also guarantees lasting improvements on day-to-day quality of life:

Guaranteed 8-hour pay for all basic day assignments, regardless of time on duty

Solidified a permanent Utility position in the contract

Carrier-required certification pay: When certification-required testing forces a member to miss a shift, the carrier now pays them a make-whole claim so they are not financially penalized for missing that day’s work.

Most notably, they made all of this progress without giving a single concession!

Tom Gholson, general chairperson of GCA-898 told SMART News, “This agreement is a statement. Our members deserve the best, and Hollis and his team at 1887 made sure they got it. Lance did a great job articulating what was important to his members. I’m just glad to have been a part of it and to have given this local the support system they needed to take the big swing they did. Lance and his team were the ones that made sure it landed!”

Brother Gholson went on to say, “This contract is not just a win, it’s a blueprint for what short-line workers across the country can achieve when they stand together with SMART-TD.”

Faced with substandard wages and grueling conditions, our brothers and sisters made the bold decision to unionize, and they’ve never looked back. This latest agreement proves, once again, that unionized short-line workers have the power to demand and secure a better future even those under the thumb of large companies like WATCO.

SMART-TD Vice President David Wier, Jr. played a pivotal role in the negotiation. “David is the cream of the crop,” said Brother Gholson. “His experience with short line properties and calm, calculated approach gave us the edge we needed. His guidance, along with the fire of the local team, delivered a monumental win for our membership.”

Vice President David Wier, Jr. remarked, “I would like to extend my profound gratitude to General Chairperson Tommy Gholson and Local Chairperson Lance Hollis for their assistance and tenacity at the bargaining table with BHRR. With their assistance and resolve, we were able to achieve monumental wage increases and other significant improvements to the Agreement on behalf of the Membership at BHRR.”

A call to action for railroaders everywhere

The success at Local 1887 should serve as a wake-up call to workers at non-union WATCO, Genesee & Wyoming, Patriot Rail, and all other short-line crew bases: Together, we move forward. Together, we win.

Interested in organizing your workplace?
Reach out to the SMART-TD Organizing Department and start building the future you deserve.

SMART-TD: Stronger Together.

Rashonda Brown and Shakyia Ward are both conductors for New Jersey Transit.

They’re not just co-workers. They’re also mother and daughter.

But even though the two women are related and work for the same agency, they’ve made it a priority to forge their own professional paths.

“[My mom’s] the chairman of the North Division,” Sister Ward explained. “The first thing I did was go to the Hoboken division and qualified there. That was kind of a shocker because everybody assumed I would just go to the Northside and be under my mom. But it was kind of a thing where it was like I wanted to create my own identity. I didn’t want to just be Rashonda Brown’s daughter, and I wanted people to see that.”

“Not only am I Rashonda Brown’s daughter, but I’m actually good at the job, too.”

Shoe Store Encounter Leads to a Job Offer

Back in 2000, Sister Brown was a single mom working as a hairdresser at a beauty parlor.

Her sister (who is also a conductor for New Jersey Transit), encouraged her to fill out an application to join her, but she was convinced that she had no interest in being a train conductor.

Several years later, Sister Brown was managing a shoe store at the mall.

One day, her sister was there but so was the person who had just become the General Chairman for the conductors at New Jersey Transit at the time.

The previous administration left him to figure things out on his own, and he was looking for an assistant to help him out.

After telling her sister that she still wasn’t sure if the position would be a good fit for her, Sister Brown had a meeting with the General Chairperson and decided to give the role a shot, ultimately beginning her union journey.

Three years later and with an election on the horizon for the General Chairman, he asked Sister Brown if she had ever thought about working in transit.

Once again, she wasn’t sure, but he wanted to guarantee that she’d still have a job if he lost the election.

Realizing that her personable nature would likely be an asset on the job, she made the switch and began working as a conductor.

Her daughter’s story isn’t that much different.

She was in nursing school, but went to work at a bank after realizing it wasn’t the career path she thought it would be.

Then, her mom suggested that she come and work for the railroad.

“I kept saying to her, “You know, we didn’t pay for college for you to be making $17 an hour,’” Sister Brown said. “I know you don’t want to work [on the railroad], but let’s just try it out and see what happens and when you find something better than the railroad, then you can leave. It’s been six years now.”

Changing Times

Throughout both of their careers, the two women have seen lots of changes.

“We have more women than we’ve ever had on this property,” Sister Brown pointed out. “I remember I was in a class of 18, and there were only about four women in that class. The boys’ club is kind of just dispersing a little because now you have more women. I’m trying to still make it better and leave it better for the people that still have to be here when I’m gone.”

“I had a child while I was working on the railroad, and I feel like I was taken care of as far as maternity leave,” Sister Ward said. “I was able to actually spend time with my child, but it’s just small things that men don’t think about.”

Not all the changes have been positive, though.

“The other thing that has changed and this is just the world we live in now is that it’s real dangerous for us,” Sister Brown emphasized. “Our members are being attacked on a daily basis. I’ve never seen it the way it is, you know?”

“There’s a little thought in the back of our head, like ‘Are we gonna make it home today?’” Sister Ward said. “A constant thought of being in public, not really knowing what everyone’s going through and how they may take what you may say or ask them.”

The Family Business

It’s not just the mother-daughter duo who work for New Jersey Transit.

Several extended family members are also employed there, but that doesn’t mean that any of them were guaranteed hires.

“I think the difference between people working for transit and other jobs is you don’t just get grandfathered into it, because of someone you know that works there,” Sister Brown explained. “You actually have to put in to work for yourself, because your mom can’t pass the test for you, right?”

Even with her mom working for New Jersey Transit before she did, Sister Ward was still unsure about joining her on the rails.

“I was a little apprehensive with my mom working here and coming home and telling me crazy stories,” she said. “I’m like ‘This can’t be real life. She has to be making this stuff up.’ But I actually enjoy working with my mom. I enjoy what she does. I enjoy seeing her grow in a company.”

Sister Brown agrees.

“That’s enough for me…just to have been a role model for her,” she said. “As a parent, you just want to also make sure your kids if, God forbid, anything happens to me today, I know that she has something that will be able to support her and my granddaughter. It’s not an easy job, but it’s a career that I have not regretted since I started.”

SMART TD is aware that the new federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has published a list of seven Regional Offices of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) on their “Wall Of Receipts.” This means that they have decided to cancel the lease for these office locations as well as the leases of the buildings they are currently housed in.

The RRB offices that are scheduled to be closed are the following.

Mesa, Arizona
Joliet, Illinois
Wichita, Kansas
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Covina, California
Cincinnati, Ohio
Jacksonville, Florida

You can use this Link to DOGE’s website to view the posting. From this website, you can find all seven of the listed RRB offices under the Real Estate Section of the “Wall of Receipts.”

SMART-TD is working with the RRB on this issue. The RRB has applied for an exemption from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to keep these offices open, and that request is currently pending GSA’s decision.

Our union’s National Safety and Legislative Department is working very quickly on Capitol Hill to convey the importance of the railroad retirement system and your access to it. We are also letting those in Washington know that the money used to support the RRB is your direct employee contributions and not federal tax dollars.

As this situation develops, SMART-TD will keep you informed.

February 14, 2025: Celebration of Life Arrangements Announced

Arrangements for the celebration of life for Brother Steve Bryant (Local 1518, Indianapolis, IN) have been announced. All members of his union family are invited to attend.

The celebration will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church (5353 S McFarland Road. Indianapolis, IN) on March 9th, at 3:00 PM.

In honor of Steve, his family requests all attendees wear their favorite sports team’s jersey, a favorite concert shirt, or both!

BBQ will be served, which is what Steve was into. The family asks everyone to bring their favorite side dish or dessert and their favorite “Steve story.”

December 10, 2024:

It is with heavy hearts that SMART-TD announces the passing of Brother Steve Bryant, a beloved friend, co-worker, and union brother, who passed away on December 4, 2024. Steve, Local Chairperson of Local 1518, Indianapolis, IN, fought cancer with the same veracity he fought for his union brothers and sisters. Brother Bryant touched many lives throughout the union, and was known for his strength, compassion, and resilience by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice that supports cancer research or addiction recovery, causes that were close to Steve’s heart. If you wish to help his wife Kristi with Steve’s medical bills and the cost of his final expenses, please consider contributing to the GoFundMe page set up in Brother Bryant’s honor.

Donate To Brother Bryant’s GoFundMe Fundraiser

Donations of any amount are welcome and will be a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself for the members of this union. SMART-TD asks our members to include their Local number along with their name, so that Kristi and the Bryant family can see the incredible impact Steve’s career had on the lives of members across the country.

Steve always put others before himself. As the Local Chair and Secretary of Local 1518, he dedicated countless hours to serving his fellow union members. His unwavering commitment to his colleagues and the labor movement made a lasting impact, and his leadership was marked by tremendous success in helping others navigate complex issues at work.

Outside of his union duties, Steve was a constant support to those around him, especially those struggling with addiction. He provided guidance and compassion to anyone who needed it, showing a deep understanding of the challenges faced by others. His ability to empathize and provide a helping hand made him a source of strength for many.

Steve is survived by his wife, Kristi Bryant, their children and grandchildren. Steve took immense pride in serving his household, and he cherished every moment spent with his loved ones.

Brother Bryant will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

As those who worked with Brother Bryant know well, Steve loved going to concerts. His advice to all that would listen was, “Life is short. Buy the tickets!” It wasn’t just a catchphrase; it was the way Brother Bryant lived his life. He lived it to the fullest. He might not have been here for as long as any of us would have liked but make no mistake about it. Steve didn’t cheat himself out of living. That is a part of his legacy that we should all remember. We should all be a little more like Brother Bryant. Give of our time and talents to one another in the name of this brotherhood and always remember that life is indeed short. Buy The Tickets!

What is SB 723?

SB 723 is a proposed Oregon law requiring all freight trains in the state to operate with a minimum

crew size of two individuals. This bill seeks to codify a long-standing industry practice to ensure

rail safety for workers, communities, and the environment.

Why is SB 723 Important?

● Safety First

○ A two-person crew ensures quick and efficient responses to everyday issues,

including mechanical failures, equipment malfunctions, and grade-crossing incidents.

○ In the event of derailments or grade-crossing accidents, having two crew members

allows for immediate action, such as coordinating with emergency responders and

addressing public safety concerns.

● Proven Industry Norm

○ Two-person crews are the overwhelming standard in the rail industry and have not

negatively affected the financial or operational performance of rail carriers.

○ Railroads using the two-person crew model have consistently reported record

breaking revenues and profits over recent decades.

● Precedent in Other States

○ SB 723 is not breaking new ground. Eleven states, including nearby Washington

and Nevada, already enforce some form of crew-size requirements for freight

trains.

● Protecting Communities

○ Leaving crew size decisions to collective bargaining risks sacrificing essential

safety measures, putting rail workers and local communities in harm’s way. Safety

isn’t something to negotiate—it needs to be protected by law to ensure everyone

stays safe, no matter what.

○ It is the fundamental duty of the legislature to safeguard the well-being of the

people and uphold their will. By enacting laws that prioritize safety and reflect

public interests, legislators fulfill their responsibility to protect communities and

ensure a government that serves its citizens.

● Widespread Public Support

○ Past polling shows that 85% of Americans support legislation mandating two-person

train crews. Support spans all political affiliations:

■ 82% of Republicans

■ 83% of Independents

■ 90% of Democrats

○ During the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (NPRM) on train crew size, over 13,500 public comments were

submitted. The overwhelming majority supported the implementation of a final rule

requiring a minimum of two-person crews for freight and passenger trains. Only 64

comments opposed the rule. This strong public support highlights a widespread

consensus on the importance of maintaining safety standards through adequate

crew sizes.

● Key Benefits of SB 723

o Strengthens public safety by reducing risks in accidents or derailments.

o Aligns Oregon with other states adopting modern, standardized rail safety

measures.

o Protects workers, local communities, and emergency responders.

o Reinforces a long-standing industry practice without adding financial or operational

burdens to rail carriers.

Conclusion

SB 723 is a commonsense, bipartisan solution to improve rail safety in Oregon. It codifies a

practice that has served the rail industry and communities well for decades while ensuring that

the safety of workers and residents is never compromised.

Support SB 723 — Keep Oregon’s Railways Safe and Secure

Following a nearly unanimous vote, Connecticut Southern Railroad is the newest addition to the SMART-TD union family. This is the second Genesse and Wyoming property that has joined our union in the past two weeks.  

SMART-TD welcomed the Wilmington Terminal Railroad earlier this month.

Connecticut Southern workers were previously under an umbrella agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), which benefits some (but not necessarily all) properties that it covers.

With only 15 members in train and engine service, they often felt like they were left in the dark and didn’t have their needs fully addressed.

“Looking at our own situation, we had to say ‘Hey, are we getting our bang for our buck?’” said Garrett Desjardins who was the Local Chairperson while they were represented by the BLE.

Tired of feeling like they weren’t being heard, our new brothers reached out to SMART-TD.

Previous umbrella agreement failed to deliver results

GCA 687 Associate Chairperson Nick Greficz assisted with the organizing efforts and explained how the decision was made after a lot of thought.

“It wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction,” Greficz emphasized. “There was some apprehensiveness about the contracts in place, the longevity of the contracts, and there was some misinformation that was being spread.”

Discussions with Local Chairman Matt Pietrzak from Local 352 (West Springfield, MA) eased many of their worries.

He knew most of our new members before the switch.

“We worked side-by-side with those guys,” Pietrzak said. 

“I see [Pietrzak] almost every day when I’m at work,” Desjardins said. “We just met each other through doing the job, and you meet good people along the way. So it almost seemed like a no-brainer for us because our representation is right there.”  

He emphasized that SMART-TD’s newest members are excited about the change and look forward to no longer being under an umbrella agreement like the one they worked under with the BLE.

“We got held to the standards of other railroads that don’t do our work and don’t carry our qualifications [under our previous umbrella agreement],” Desjardins pointed out. 

New members recognized for their professionalism

Brother Greficz noted that he’s been very impressed by these workers throughout their journey to join SMART-TD.

“They’ve got a very tight-knit group of guys over there,” Greficz said. “I was very impressed with the participation and the solidarity that Connecticut Southern showed. That was something that struck me. Everybody was professional, everybody was reasonable.”

He’s also proud of Brother Pietrzak, who is preparing to become an official organizer, for his leadership throughout the campaign.

“It’s a true story of organizing from the rocks, because he [Pietrzak] wasn’t an organizer,” Greficz explained. “It doesn’t matter what your title is…everybody is an organizer at the end of the day.”

For Brother Pietrzak, this is a victory that feels particularly good.

“It [joining SMART-TD] was years in the making and now it’s finally done.”

SMART-TD congratulates Brother Greficz and Brother Pietrzak on this organizing win and proudly welcomes the newest members of our union family!

The SMART Transportation Division (SMART TD) congratulates Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nevada) on her selection to serve as the Ranking Minority Leader of the House Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. Rep. Titus has been a dedicated advocate for our members, championing key legislation that supports freight rail, bus, and transit workers.

“Congresswoman Titus has always been a strong ally to our members, and her leadership on transportation issues has been invaluable,” said Greg Hynes, Director of SMART TD’s National Safety and Legislative Department. “Her deep experience and commitment to improving the lives of working people make her exactly the kind of leader we need in this role. We are fortunate to continue working with her to protect and advance our priorities.”

SMART Transportation Division congratulates Congresswoman Dina Titus on her appointment as Ranking Minority Leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, recognizing her strong advocacy for freight rail, bus, and transit workers, and her continued commitment to improving working conditions and safety in the transportation industry. — SMART-TD Vice President Gary Crest, Nevada SLD Gabe Christenson, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), and Scott Brent, Assistant Safety and Legislative Director of California, meet to discuss our union’s legislative priorities as part of Railroad Day On The Hill in May of 2024,

Rep. Titus has been instrumental in advocating for legislation like the INVEST in America Act, which benefits our transit members, and in advancing the Brightline West project creating hundreds of new jobs on America’s rails. She led the Nevada delegation in securing funding for the high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas to Southern California, ensuring that union jobs would be a cornerstone of the project. As a senior member of the House T&I Committee, her support for the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2024 is crucial for this transformative bill that stands to dramatically improve safety and working conditions for freight rail workers, including crucial protections like two-person train crews and train length limitations.

Jared Cassity, Deputy Director of the National Safety and Legislative Department, noted, “Rep. Titus is the real deal. Her decades of pushing for high-speed rail and her work on key safety legislation are a testament to her dedication to our industry and our membership. As Ranking Member, she’ll be in an even stronger position to protect our members and ensure their voices are heard.”

SMART TD looks forward to working closely with Ranking Member Titus in this new role. As the largest labor union in the American rail industry, we will continue to be relentless in our efforts to advance the issues that matter most to our members and their families and working with Congresswoman Titus to achieve those goals.

RRB News

No. 25-1

January 7, 2025

For Immediate Release

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board

Public Affairs 312-751-4777

844 North Rush Street 312-751-7154 (fax)

Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275 RRB.gov

Law Ends Reduction of Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

A recently approved law ended the reduction of unemployment and sickness benefits paid to railroad employees due to a budget sequestration requirement. The Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act was incorporated into the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which the President signed on December 23, 2024.

The Budget Control Act of 2011, and subsequent sequestration orders to implement mandated cuts, required that railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits be reduced by a set percentage. This requirement was temporarily paused at the beginning of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but resumed on May 10, 2023. Since then, unemployment and sickness benefit amounts paid by the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have been reduced by 5.7 percent. The REEF Act eliminates that reduction and exempts railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits from sequestration.

The current daily benefit rate for unemployment and sickness insurance benefits is $94.00. Applying the sequestration reduction of 5.7 percent reduced the maximum benefit in a 2-week period from $940.00 to $886.42. Starting December 26, 2024, the full amount is being paid, except for any required income/payroll tax withholding or garnishment orders.

In addition, the new law applies retroactively to May 10, 2023, when sequestration resumed after the pandemic. Due to significant system programming required, there will be a delay in calculating and issuing retroactive payments. Claimants should monitor the agency website at RRB.gov for up-to-date information on progress related to retroactive payments. No action is required by claimants affected by this provision unless they have moved or changed banking information, in which case they can report the new information by calling the agency’s toll-free number at (877) 772-5772.

# # #

Discounted SMART room rate is available until February 8

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas, Near the Galleria

Dates: March 10-13, 2025 (S&T: March 10-14)

Room Rate: $141/night (deadline to reserve a room is February 8)

Registration Fee: $75

The Dallas RTS will begin on Monday, March 10, 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.

For a detailed meeting agenda, please visit the Meetings page via the SMART Union mobile app.

We look forward to seeing you in Dallas!

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 March 3, 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.

For more information, contact Nick Torres in the SMART-TD office at 216-227-5269 or by email at ntorres@smart-union.org.

Other 2025 Cities and Dates ► [ https://www.smart-union.org/smart-td-announces-2025-regional-training-seminars/ ]

December 18, 2024 – It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of SMART-TD member and Union Pacific Conductor Phillip Araujo. He and his engineer, Clay Burt, lost their lives in the line of duty on December 18, 2024 when their train collided with a tractor-trailer in Pecos City, Texas.

Brother Araujo was a dedicated member of Local #823, a skilled conductor, and a kind, reliable friend. Over the course of his career, Phillip earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues for his unwavering commitment to his work and his family. His sacrifice and strong work ethic were evident in the way he managed the demands of his profession. He is survived by his wife Maria and three children Abby, Andrea, and Fabian.

Araujo and Burt’s GoFundMe ► https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-araujo-burt-families-loss

Living roughly 230 miles from the Sweetwater, Texas, yard office, Phillip would commute several hours to work, never complaining about the challenges of the railroad’s unpredictable on-call lifestyle or how it was compounded by his extraordinary driving time.

When his name neared the top of the board, he would get in his car and head to the yard office, taking his call sometime during the drive. If his calculation was off, and he arrived before his on-duty time, Araujo would simply sleep in his car or handle the administrative duties of being a conductor with a smile on his face. He knew why it was all worth it to him. Providing a good life for his wife and his three children was worth whatever the railroad lifestyle required of him. They were his clear priority, something his coworkers in Sweetwater not only noticed but admired.

In this spirit, Brother Ryan Monts of BLET Division 212 started a GoFundMe account to support both the families of Phillip Araujo and Clay Burt. We ask all those who are able to consider giving what they can to help these two railroad families with final expenses in their time of need.

Brother Araujo’s loss leaves a profound void in the hearts of his family, friends, and coworkers. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, coworkers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maria, and their children Abby, Andrea, and Fabian, the entire Local #823 family, and all who had the honor of knowing him.