The majority of SMART-TD represented CSX Yardmasters ratified their tentative agreement. They deem the proposal fair and appreciate the retention of unchanged healthcare benefits for the next five years, which serves both long-standing and new members well. The expedited timeline for earning additional vacation weeks was also a significant advantage for everyone involved.
The agreement is the result of a series of town halls held by our Yardmaster General Chairs and local officers. Our membership debated, researched the advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately made a free and informed decision.
Chris Bartz, SMART-TD Alternate Vice President and an active Yardmaster, expressed his congratulations to the CSX Yardmasters. He stated, “I want to commend the Yardmasters of CSX for rising above the distractions of social media and choosing to ratify this solid agreement. They asked the tough questions, conducted their own research, and voted with clear minds. This agreement will continue to support them and their families in the future.”
While we all hope for a more substantial general wage increase, the newly ratified agreement does include a GWI above the average for the past two decades. The absence of healthcare cost offsets was another benefit of the new agreement. Moreover, members benefited from not having to wait indefinitely for a pay increase, which is an unprecedented advantage.
SMART-TD is taking action to confront the rise of transit assaults with the launch of our new Assault Reporting Form. We can fight for real change when we can present our own proof of verbal and physical assaults that we face in the line of duty. Our online form, available through the SMART app or website, makes this easy to do.
If you experience an assault, please take a few moments to use the Assault Reporting Form. The form is user-friendly and designed to be filled out in just a couple of minutes. We urge all transit members to report every single hostile encounter. We want overwhelming numbers.
Access the Assault Reporting Form through the SMART-TD website under the “Get Involved” menu or through the SMART App. The app is free and available for download on all platforms by searching for “SMART Union” in the app store for your device.
SMART-TD to independently fact-check management data
Workplace violence against transit employees is an enormous concern for all of us. Before today, incident details have been collected and self-reported by transit agency management. We suspect that they often underreport the number and severity of these incidents. SMART-TD’s Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee is changing this narrative by empowering each of us to report incidents directly, allowing SMART-TD to reflect the true extent of the problem. This is one way we can use our collective power to hold our employers accountable.
Bus VP Alvy Hughes, Deputy National Legislative Director Jared Cassity, AFL-CIO TTD Chief Of Staff Matt Colvin, BTAPS Chairperson Christine Ivey, FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool, National Legislative Director Greg Hynes, Bus VP James Sandoval, SMART-TD Auxiliary Rep. Monica Sandoval.
Federal Transit Administration willing to listen
This initiative was discussed during SMART-TD’s First “Bus/Transit Day On The Hill” in August 2024. Our union delegation met with Veronica Vanterpool, acting administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), where she expressed her support for our efforts. Vanderpool requested access to the data we collect, so the FTA can cross-reference our reports with those sent by transit companies. She wants to ensure a comprehensive view of the number and severity of assaults that we face.
SMART-TD’s delegation included Bus Vice Presidents Alvy Hughes and James Sandoval, SMART-TD’s National Legislative Department, and BTAPS Committee Chairperson Christine Ivey.
Transit companies to face consequences if they under-report
If our findings reveal that transit companies are intentionally underreporting assaults, Vanterpool assured us that the FTA will use her federal authority to hold our employers accountable. This is a vital opportunity where we as a union can take a stand, advocate for our own safety, and shine a light on the alarming frequency of the assaults we face.
Our incident reports are gathered by the chair of the BTAPS Committee, and the proper State Safety and Legislative Director, General Committee Chairperson, as well as SMART-TD’s Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director Jared Cassity.
The information we gather on the SMART website and app is protected. Details included in your reports, including the name of who filed each report, are kept confidential. Your manager will not know that you filed a report.
As SMART-TD members, we all demand a safe work environment. Our participation is crucial in making our voices heard. Together, we can highlight the severity of transit assaults and work towards meaningful change. The data we collect will not only inform regulators but will also empower us to advocate effectively for the rights and safety of our brothers and sisters in the field.
When it comes to election recommendations, the only driver for SMART-TD is whether the candidate is WITH US or AGAINST US. We only look at transportation and labor issues.
We do our homework on every candidate and evaluate their voting record to determine if a candidate is on our side. Political party has zero bearing on SMART-TD’s endorsements.
All of the candidates we have endorsed have proven they stand with us. As we get closer to election day, we are highlighting some of the most important legislators who have earned our support!
Mike Braun (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D): Endorsed by SMART-TD
Sen. Mike Braun (R) Indiana
Candidate For Governor Of Indiana
Cosponsor: Rail Employee Equity and Fairness Act
Senator Braun crossed party lines to vote for paid sick leave for railroaders. After the bill failed, he took action, holding a press conference with Senator Bernie Sanders and SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson to demand that Class I railroads provide sick leave or face public hearings. His advocacy led to multiple Class I’s offering paid sick leave to our members for the first time.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) Wisconsin
Seeking Reelection
Lead Sponsor: Reliable Rail Service Act
Lead Sponsor: SAFE TRAINS Act
Senator Baldwin has been with SMART-TD on many legislative actions this union has pushed for. In the past two years alone, Baldwin has been the lead sponsor for multiple bills that hold the railroads accountable and promote safety in our members’ workplaces!
Don Bacon (R) and Ruben Gallego (D): Endorsed by SMART-TD
Rep. Don Bacon (R) Nebraska – 2
Seeking Reelection
Cosponsor: Multiple 2-Person Crew And Rail Safety Bills
Rep. Bacon, a former General in the United States Air Force, has been with SMART-TD longer than he has been a member of Congress. He has gone to bat, voting for and cosponsoring legislation benefiting our Bus and Rail members multiple times during his four terms in the House of Representatives. Bacon has been an advocate for this union, and on November 5, we need to rally behind him.
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D) Arizona – 3
US Senate Candidate
Cosponsor: Multiple 2-Person Crew And Rail Safety Bills
Rep. Gallego, a Marine Corporal who served in Iraq, has consistently advocated for 2-Person Crew bills throughout his four terms in the House Of Representatives. He is now running to serve Arizona as their next U.S. Senator. On November 5, SMART-TD is asking for our members’ support to move this friend of rail labor into the United States Senate!
Brian Fitzpatrick (R) and Chris Deluzio (D): Endorsed by SMART-TD
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R) Pennsylvania – 1
Seeking Reelection
Cosponsor: Railroad Safety Enhancement Act Of 2024
Rep. Fitzpatrick consistently advocates for workers in every critical legislative debate involving the transportation industry. He champions the interests of SMART-TD members nationwide, making him a valuable ally.
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D) Pennsylvania – 17
Seeking Reelection
Cosponsor: Railroad Safety Enhancement Act Of 2024
Since taking his role on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Deluzio has defended SMART-TD members’ interests at every opportunity.
Sherrod Brown (D) and Josh Hawley (R): Endorsed by SMART-TD
Senator Josh Hawley (R) Missouri
Seeking Reelection
Cosponsor: Railway Safety Act of 2023
Cosponsor: Railroad Employee Equality and Fairness Act (REEF Act)
Senator Hawley voted with our interests, including the vote to provide paid sick leave to all rail employees.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D) Ohio
Seeking Reelection
Lead Sponsor: Railway Safety Act of 2023
Cosponsor: Railroad Employee Equality and Fairness Act (REEF Act)
Senator Brown voted with our interests, including the vote to provide paid sick leave to all rail employees.
Troy Nehls (R) and Colin Allred (D): Endorsed by SMART-TD
Representative Troy Nehls (R)Texas – 22
Seeking Reelection
Primary Sponsor: US House Rail Safety Act, H.R. 8996
As Chairman of the House Subcommittee of Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Nehls held the only house hearing on rail safety since the East Palestine, OH railroad disaster.
Representative Colin Allred (D) Texas – 32
US Senate Candidate
Cosponsor: US House Rail Safety Act, H.R. 8996
Rep. Allred has been a long-time supporter of our issues. He has proven his willingness to take a stand against the corporate greed of the railroad industry and side with rail labor.
Boston, MA (October 23, 2024) — Hundreds of railroaders, along with friends, family and labor supporters, gathered at Boston’s historic South Station to rally for fair wages, sick leave, maternity days and other essential benefits.
The event was coordinated by a coalition of rail labor organizations, including SMART-TD, the AFL-CIO, IAM, ATDA, BRS, TCU, and IBEW. They confronted Keolis, the French-owned passenger rail operator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, who have neglected negotiations since the previous contract expired July 1, 2022.
The rally featured passionate speeches from local Boston elected officials, four members of Congress and representatives from multiple rail unions.
Notably, SMART-TD was represented by Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director Jared Cassity, who emphasized the importance of solidarity among the unions. “Today is our day. Now is the time to get the contract you all deserve!” Cassity declared. “It does not matter if you are an engineer. It does not matter if you are a conductor, if you’re a signalman, a dispatcher, a track worker, whatever the issues are, they are OUR issues. And the only way we fix them is when we stand together, and we fight together!”
Keolis, which operates under contract with MBTA, has been accused of failing to bargain in good faith with SMART-TD and the other unions representing their workforce. As Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA 7) pointed out in her speech, Keolis workers are paid on average 12% less than their counterparts on Amtrak to move the same passengers in Massachusetts.
“We showed Keolis that workers, riders, our congressional delegation and the whole Massachusetts labor movement is behind us in our fight for a fair contract,” said New England Safety & Legislative Director Dave Stevenson.
The mood at the rally was one of determination and unity. The overwhelming message was clear: the workers will continue to fight for a fair agreement until they have a new contract. An additional message was sent by several of the speakers, most notably by Congressman Steve Lynch, (D-MA 8) who pointed out that Keolis is contracted out by MBTA to run the commuter rail system in Boston, and their contract is coming up for bid. He made it clear that if Keolis doesn’t come to the table and get serious about retaining their frontline workers who keep Boston trains running safely and on time, they will be replaced by a contractor that will.
SMART-TD is proud to report that more than 50 of our men and women attended the Oct. 23 rally and would like to thank all our members including our brothers and sisters on the Sheet Metal side of our organization who attended and contributed their voices to a good cause.
SMART News will continue to keep you informed as the fight against Keolis continues.
For SMART-TD union bus operators, and railroaders nationwide, threats to Social Security loom large
In a recent Washington Post article, it was reported that the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan group aimed at opposing the federal deficit, stated that “A new report projects that the Social Security Trust Fund might run out of money within six years under a Donald Trump presidency.” This alarming projection raises significant concerns for all members of our union (especially members of our bus department) as well as retirees nationwide, who rely on Social Security to support their retirement.
Rail members and retirees who benefit from a defined pension provided by the Railroad Retirement Board are quick to point out that our RRB pensions are completely separate from the Social Security system that the majority of Americans pay into. That is not as true as we would like to think. It is true that the RRB trust fund and the Social Security trust fund are two separate pots of money. Also, it is a fact that the RRB trust fund is in better shape than its counterpart at SS; however, Social Security is still the national standard, and when they change policies, RRB tends to follow suit. If and when SS runs out of money and begins reducing the percentage they are paying out, it is distinctly possible RRB will mirror that policy change as it relates to how they manage Tier I retirement payments. So when Social Security payments get reduced, railroaders could very well feel the squeeze right along with every other American retiree.
If Social Security dries up in this country, it will not be a bus member issue or a rail member issue; it will be a SMART-TD issue.
Social Security’s solvency directly affects bus and transit operators and retirees nationwide. Most Americans depend on Social Security, which they have faithfully contributed to throughout their careers. They’ve paid their fair share into a system designed to provide them with financial stability throughout retirement. It is unacceptable that after a lifetime of labor, they may face an uncertain future due to reckless fiscal policies.
The Washington Post article highlights a stark reality: “Compared to prior presidential campaigns, I can’t think of anything that would be this order of magnitude in its detrimental effect on Social Security’s bottom line compared to the policies Trump has proposed,” Marc Goldwein, senior policy director for Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, told the newspaper. These proposals, which include massive tax cuts for business owners and corporate bailouts, threaten to deplete the very retirements our members have diligently built.
As the report outlines, the potential consequences are severe: “All added up, the report forecasts that Social Security under Trump would hit the point where by law it must cut benefits in 2031 or 2032,” leading to a “reduction for all Social Security checks to a predicted cut of about 33 percent.”
For the workers and retirees dependent on Social Security, this translates to a significant and devastating reduction in the retirement income they expect and deserve after years of dedication and service to the public and to this union.
SMART-TD is not in the business of accepting agreements from transit agencies or railroad companies that give our members a 33% pay cut. It is unacceptable for our active members, and it is unacceptable to accept this for the nation’s retirees!
This situation represents a shocking abuse of the American worker, particularly for our SMART-TD brothers and sisters. The threat to Social Security is not just an economic issue. For SMART-TD, it is a moral one. Our members deserve what they have worked for, and it is our responsibility to stand against the policies of any employer, and in this case, any presidential candidate, that jeopardizes that security.
As we move forward as a union, we must remain vigilant in advocating for the protection and enhancement of Social Security. It is crucial that we amplify our voices and demand that the rights of all workers are upheld. The future of our retirement security is at stake, and together, we can fight to ensure that our hard-earned benefits are preserved for generations to come.
On Aug. 12, delegates at the Third SMART General Convention voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president in the upcoming 2024 election following President Joe Biden’s announcement on July 21 that he would end his re-election campaign.
This significant endorsement reflects the voice of SMART-TD’s members, who have long fought for the safety and well-being of our freight rail workers.
SMART-TD extends its heartfelt thanks to President Biden for his dedicated service and commitment to the labor movement. Under his watch, we made significant advancements in protecting our bus, transit and railroad members. The doors of his administration were always open when we needed to speak with the Department of Transportation, FRA, FTA, NTSB or STB, or others.
We are eager to support Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in continuing the vital work that has marked the Biden-Harris administration’s tenure.
Advocating for two-person crews
Four years ago, during a global pandemic that tested our resilience, SMART-TD members united to support Biden and Harris, driven by their promise to uphold workers’ rights and enhance safety measures across the board.
Two-person crews are not just a policy choice but a critical safety measure that impacts the well-being of every freight rail worker. The presence of two qualified individuals in the cab of a freight train helps prevent accidents, ensures immediate response to emergencies, and supports overall operational safety. It is an essential step towards protecting our members and reinforcing the safety standards within the industry.
Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz have consistently demonstrated their support for the labor movement. Harris, with her leadership in the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing, and Walz, with his pro-labor legislation as governor — he is the first and only governor to have signed legislation covering yardmaster hours of service — are both strong allies in our continued fight for workers’ rights and safety.
Their commitment to the labor movement and their track record of advancing worker-friendly policies make them the best choice to lead our nation forward.
We extend our deepest gratitude to President Biden for his unwavering support and look forward to working with Vice President Kamala Harris to continue advancing the interests of our members and all working families across the country.
For more than a century, the carriers’ lobbyists and lawyers have been paid very well for their ability to argue out of both sides of their mouths.
One of the battlefields where our union and the carriers have clashed since the onset of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) is the issue of recording the length of freight trains. In multiple cases where train length factored into the discussion, the carriers have defaulted to the excuse that there is no official data on average train length, and therefore our arguments cannot possibly have a basis in reality. They love to characterize our comments on these and other topics as entirely anecdotal and dismiss them altogether.
The flip side is that when it is proposed that train length data should be documented to fill that information gap, carriers often argue that we are infringing on their business, and that it is not practical for them to calculate that data. They conveniently say that they can’t be held accountable for statistics that are unknowable, and then are not eager to comply with requests to start keeping track of the data needed to do so.
As we all know, they already have that data. It’s on our work order in multiple places. We enter it into PTC, TO/Leader. It is displayed on the dispatchers’ screens so they can calculate train meets and what trains fit into what sidings. Until recently, on some railroads, the train length was even announced by wayside defect detectors until the trains got so long the axle counts triggered errors on the detectors and they reprogrammed them to stop calculating that statistic. Historically, the railroads have always tracked their train lengths. It would be a terrible business practice if they didn’t. They need this data when designing yards and sidings and for day-to-day decision making.
Like we said, they talk out of both sides of their mouths.
As anyone with railroad experience knows, the length and weight of a consist factors into most aspects of railroading and dramatically amplifies the risk factors we face in our daily tasks. Your union has been banging this drum as loudly as possible.
On January 19, it appears that we have finally turned the corner on this important issue.
In response to the conflict surrounding this hot issue, FRA Administrator Amit Bose and the Biden administration made an announcement the railroads have feared for years. Bose and the FRA put out a public notice in the Federal Register stating Class I freight railroads are one step closer to having to report the length of every train on their system by filling out two extra questions on a report the carriers are already required to provide to FRA.
In practice, if this ruling becomes final, it would not be a difficult lift for the railroads. It’s the equivalent of a few more keystrokes to enter. But the ramifications of having to give us and the public access to this data will be a tough pill for them to swallow.
The process required to force the railroads to begin sharing this data with the FRA involves two departments of the federal government signing off on it. First being the FRA, which happened January 19th. Next up is the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which is part of the executive branch and answers to the White House.
In the first round of public comments where interested parties were invited to make their arguments for or against the new requirement to the FRA, the Association of American Railroads and other surrogates for these billion-dollar enterprises made the same arguments we had predicted. They stated that this new regulation would be overly burdensome, and that railroads should not be expected to provide this information.
SMART-TD and the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department (TTD) both stepped to the plate and countered these ridiculous arguments.
FRA informed AAR and the carriers they had lost this round of the fight in the Federal Register. In their decision notice, they quoted SMART-TD and the AFL-CIO TTD’s arguments as to why they made the decision they made. Our union is happy to have played a role in bringing about this decision from Bose and the FRA.
Our union cannot call this a win just yet because FRA does not have the authority to make a final ruling in this matter. That duty lies with the OMB. So, this prize fight is not over, but SMART-TD is proud to say that we are ahead on the judges’ scorecards as we head into the last round.
Public comments are due to the OMB on February 21st, and by statute, their agency has 60 days to issue a final ruling. If we are successful, train lengths will now be public records and subject to public records requests. Not only will our union, the biggest freight rail union in the country, and 11 other rail industry labor organizations have access to this data, but every non-profit activist group, every state’s attorney general and legislators wanting to examine the impact of blocked crossings, and every lawyer looking to make a case as to why a railroad is liable for the delay of an ambulance getting to their client in time will have a right to every piece of train length data they could ever want.
It is hard to overstate what this victory would mean for railroad workers and public safety if we can get this initiative over the finish line. These corporate powerhouses have largely been getting their way for a century and a half, and they are not taking this setback lying down.
With public comments on this round due to the OMB on Feb. 21st, it is almost guaranteed AAR and the carriers are retooling their arguments and are doubling down on the amount of billable hours their lobbyists and lawyers are putting into this issue. Rest assured; your union is not going to let our guard down. We have every intention to issue further comment affirming our stance and categorically addressing the railroads’ flimsy, yet well-funded arguments.
Momentum is with us, but we aren’t taking anything for granted. SMART-TD and the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department are in this for the long haul. We won’t be satisfied with a partial or short-lived victory.
You will be kept up to date as this story progresses.
