Delegates to the Third SMART General Convention in August 2024 left Las Vegas with an array of union apparel, including a SMART laptop bag, SMART-branded hats and SMART polo shirts.
What convention attendees may not have realized is that those items — along with a growing range of SMART merchandise — were designed, assembled, fabricated and embroidered by their union brothers and sisters in Ontario, Canada.
“I’m super proud of that, and we’ve been continuing to have more locals as well as our International purchasing more products,” said Local 540 (Mississauga, Ontario) Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer Derek Evans. “It makes me feel good to know that our members made these products, and our other locals are proud to know that these products are made by our members instead of another union or nonunion.”
Local 540 is the only SMART local in Canada that strictly represents production workers. Members work in a variety of industries (HVAC, automotive, fire life safety, etc.) and with a broad range of materials — including, as of approximately 10 years ago, two shops in the garment and apparel sector. That was when Sonny Wu, the owner of an apparel company called Season Group, approached the local (as well as other unions) to inquire about transitioning to signatory status.
“He wanted to get into making union-made apparel that he could sell to other unions throughout Canada and the United States,” Evans explained. “Ultimately, he made the decision to select SMART Local 540.”
Local 540 Business Manager Derek Evans (left) with Wilson Wu of Union Made Apparel
That decision has proven fruitful, even as things have changed in the years since. Sonny Wu retired, splitting his business into two separate shops — Season Group and Union Made Apparel — headed by Vincent Hu and Sonny’s son, Wilson, respectively. (Sonny remains very much involved.) And Local 540 members at both shops are now producing pieces for a huge number of their fellow union workers: SMART Local 30 and Local 285 in Toronto, the SMART Transportation Division, the Amalgamated Transit Union and many others, as well as workplace uniforms and gear.
For Wilson Wu, it’s important that labor movement merchandise is made by union members in North America.
“A lot of goods nowadays, they’re bought from somewhere overseas — but we make everything in-house,” he explained.
“We’re end-to-end manufacturing, from sourcing the raw materials — locally made cotton — to dying the fabric, to cutting and sewing, trimming, design consultations, as well as decorating the garments, whether it’s embroidery or screen printing.”
Plus, Wu said, the union advantage pays off in the shop’s bottom line.
“We’ve gotten a lot more work ever since we’ve unionized; our workers are a lot happier,” he explained. “No regrets. It’s probably the best decision we’ve ever made.”
Wilson and Sonny Wu
The Ontario garment industry’s workforce is extraordinarily diverse, Evans said: Many employees are of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Indian descent, along with other countries throughout Asia (and Europe). The same goes for Local 540 sheet metal production shops, particularly in the automotive industry.
As a result, Local 540 has worked to ensure that these members — no matter who they are, where they come from or what language they speak most comfortably — receive the support they deserve. Contracts and workplace communications are translated into a variety of languages, and Local 540 has worked with companies to provide assistance to members navigating the immigration process and applying for Canadian citizenship.
“It has been a learning experience, but the members tend to be welcoming,” Evans said. “The opportunities we have are going to come through diversity and inclusion of different races and cultures. The workforce is changing.”
What’s most important, he added, is that all members — regardless of their ancestry or first language — continue to reap the benefits of union representation. Local 540 member Chris Ferreira, a longtime garment industry worker, indicated that the union difference is certainly being felt.
“It’s been great working at Union Made Apparel,” he said. “There’s been quite a bit more work, it’s a lot more reliable. I’ve been in embroidery for quite a few years, and it’s not too easy to get reliable orders. So yeah, it’s been great, real great being part of Local 540.”
Every four years, election season changes the tone and tenor of life in the United States.
Attack ads flood our TV screens. Vitriolic arguments take place in the comment sections of Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Family reunions are infiltrated by the latest manufactured culture wars. And politicians visit union halls across the country, seeking your endorsement — and your vote.
VP Harris at Local 19
As a collective labor organization, we know that we depend on each other, not politicians, for our prosperity. But we also know that anti-labor politicians can severely damage our rights, our pensions, our safety and our futures.
Mainstream media outlets like to depict elections as complex, filled with minute details that might sway a voter’s decision one way or the other. As union members, though, we know that the reality is much simpler. It comes down to two questions: What actions have politicians taken to empower our union? And how will they enable us to win moving forward?
Delegates to the Third SMART General Convention in August voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Minn. Governor Tim Walz for vice president based on those questions. Harris’s and Walz’s actions demonstrate their commitment to helping SMART and working people win strong contracts, better workplace protections and higher pay. And their vision for our country is one that puts union labor first.
We can’t afford to go back
In his four years in the White House, Donald Trump and his administration enacted and attempted to implement some of the most anti-union actions the American worker has experienced in generations.
The Trump administration tried to gut our union apprenticeship programs with its Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs proposal, a scheme that our union had to fight against tooth-and-nail to defeat.
The Trump administration withdrew the proposed two-person crew regulation SMART-TD had been working towards under the Obama administration — and then went a step further, actually attempting to preempt existing state two-person crew laws. This was an attack on our railroaders’ safety, jobs and pensions, as well as a direct threat to states’ rights.
The Biden-Harris administration secured a federal two-person crew regulation after the Trump administration withdrew it.
The Trump administration’s National Labor Relations Board was legendarily anti-worker, with a general counsel who formerly worked as a management-side lawyer. The Trump NLRB made it more difficult for workers to picket a subcontractor; held that employers can legally monitor or search employees’ personal vehicles on company premises; and issued a decision making it easier for employers to restrict employees’ rights to talk to their coworkers about their union during work time, including asking a coworker to join the union, asking a coworker to vote to strike or asking a coworker to vote to ratify a contract.
VP Harris at Local 17
President Trump’s signature law, the flagrantly anti-worker Tax Cut and Jobs Act, encouraged offshoring of both paper profits and real production of U.S. multinational companies. It also eliminated the tax deduction members previously enjoyed for union dues.
President Trump signed an executive order that threatened funding for Social Security. He recommended vetoing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act if it reached his desk. His administration encouraged firms to misclassify employees as independent contractors, lowering workplace standards and putting union jobs in jeopardy. President Trump rolled back protections against child labor and said he “loved right-to-work,” and his Justice Department successfully argued to make it the standard policy for government employees.
Those were only a few of his actions while in office — and the plan devised by his advisers for a potential return to power, Project 2025, spells out exactly what he intends to do next.
The document should alarm all of us for its attacks on public schools, Medicaid that our seniors rely on, and veterans’ ability to receive disability benefits. But the Trump Project 2025’s 37-page chapter on labor specifically targets our rights.
Project 2025 would prohibit project labor agreements, which consistently put our sheet metal members on jobsites across the nation. It would enable employers to get rid of workers’ unions in the middle of their contracts, and it would allow individual states to ban the existence of labor unions. Project 2025, if implemented, would gut local and state funding for public transit, hurting the sheet metal workers who build new transit infrastructure and public transit operators whose jobs depend on that funding. It would get rid of overtime guarantees and repeal labor and wage protections on federal projects.
Walz with SMART-TD Minn. SLD Katich
Under a second Trump administration, Project 2025 would make it harder for families to access unemployment insurance, eliminate child labor protections and enable businesses to violate the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) without consequence. It would prevent companies from voluntarily recognizing workers’ unions. It would allow companies to retaliate against organizers, and it would actually enable employers to form company unions: supposed employee organizations with fake employee committees hand-picked by management.
Walz with Local 10
In other words, a second Trump administration would build on the actions of the first: It would jeopardize our livelihoods, put our health and safety at risk and threaten the very existence of our union.
Actions speak louder than words
The endorsement resolution presented to SMART convention delegates in August detailed the Harris-Walz ticket’s stellar pro-worker record. These candidates have acted in the interests of SMART members.
The Biden-Harris administration passed landmark laws that are funneling money towards SMART members’ jobs and livelihoods. As vice president, Harris cast the tiebreaking vote to pass the American Rescue Plan, which jumpstarted the U.S. economy, invested billions into reopening schools and indoor air quality, and allocated $100 million to OSHA for worker safety. Crucially for retirees, the ARP provided billions of dollars in union pension relief: saving the pensions of more than one million workers, including 1,600 Local 33 retirees in Massillon, Ohio. In this case, it was Harris’s vote that rewarded our retirees’ years of hard work and sacrifice.
The CHIPS and Science Act, meanwhile, invests in the U.S. semiconductor industry and American-made manufacturing. This has already put SMART sheet metal workers on huge projects everywhere from Vermont, to Ohio, to Arizona and beyond.
SMART members are also benefiting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Along with huge investments in traditional infrastructure like our nation’s railroad and public transportation systems, the law focuses on the industries in which sheet metal members work — like indoor air quality, energy efficiency and more — providing an enormous number of new jobs.
In 2022, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. This law cuts healthcare prices for working families, fights climate change and holds the one percent accountable to pay their fair share in taxes. The IRA invests heavily in green energy infrastructure, with strong labor standards ensuring that SMART sheet metal workers will be in demand for this work.
Accompanying all these laws are strident, pro-worker regulations: the updating and strengthening of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rules, the first-ever inclusion of apprenticeship standards in IRA tax cuts and the requirement of project labor agreements on federal jobs that cost more than $35 million, for example.
And that’s just on the legislative side. Just this year, the Biden-Harris Federal Railroad Administration and Department of Transportation announced a long-awaited federal two-person crew regulation, taking action to protect the jobs, safety and pensions of union railroaders. Additionally, the administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting public transit and bus workers, addressing worker assaults in these sectors. This White House’s proactive stance on worker safety issues, including the Federal Transit Administration’s establishment of Public Transit Safety Plans, reflects a clear understanding of the challenges faced by frontline transportation employees and a dedication to creating safer working environments.
Walz, meanwhile, has an outstanding pro-worker record in Minnesota that leaves no doubt as to where his priorities lie.
On the transportation side, Walz made a number of SMART-TD railroad priorities the law of the land: requiring two-person crews on Minnesota freight trains, funding the Northern Lights Express — Amtrak’s passenger service between Duluth and Minneapolis — and bringing on two more state rail safety inspectors, plus additional funding for passenger rail corridor studies and railroad-provided first responder training. He is also the first and only governor in the nation to have signed legislation covering yardmaster hours of service.
Walz took similar action to advance the interests of SMART sheet metal workers when he signed a law that stipulates that the Minnesota Department of Commerce must establish and administer an air ventilation program to award grants to public school boards in Minnesota, with the grants covering work such as testing and balancing, HVAC and energy efficiency upgrades and much more. Importantly for SMART members, the bill specifically includes strong prevailing wage language that requires work covered by grants to “be performed by a skilled and trained workforce that is paid the prevailing wage rate … and of which at least 80 percent of the construction workers are either registered in or graduates of a registered apprenticeship program for the applicable occupation.”
Those are only some of Minnesota’s pro-union accomplishments under Walz. The legislature passed what most in the Minnesota building trades consider the most expansive prevailing wage enhancements in state history: from increased enforcement, to attaching the law to state funds, programs, energy projects and more. Walz also signed laws enacting paid sick leave for all workers; the banning of anti-union captive audience meetings; new protections for meatpackers, construction workers and Amazon employees; a huge expansion of paid family and medical leave; the largest-ever increase to the Minnesota work compensation system’s permanent partial disability fund; a universal free school breakfast and lunch program for the kids of working families; and more.
Harris’s and Walz’s actions speak far louder than words. They stood, and they continue to stand, with SMART members and our families.
A union-made future for SMART members and families
It’s clear what SMART members’ votes for Harris and Walz enabled your union to do in the past. What will our votes empower us to do next?
SMART has a vision for the future: one where union sheet metal and transportation workers build and move the critical infrastructure of our nation. One where SMART members earn better contracts, better pay, dignity at work and time to spend with their loved ones. One where our union continues to grow, representing with grit and pride every worker in our industries and trades.
The Harris-Walz ticket aligns with our vision. With Harris and Walz in the White House, we can build upon the progress we have made, continuing to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act in a way that benefits SMART members. We can keep working with the DOT, FRA and FTA to protect transportation workers in the face of employer greed. If a pro-worker Congress takes power, we can pass the Railway Safety Enhancement Act, the PRO Act, the National Apprenticeship Act and much more. And with Harris’s proposed plans to cut price gouging and increase new housing production, we can reap the fruits of our labor while building the affordable homes our neighbors deserve.
Election day is fast approaching, and with it the accompanying noise. But when we enter the ballot box, we all need to remember those two vital questions: What actions have politicians taken to strengthen our union? And how will they help us win moving forward?
Over the summer, thousands of delegates, staff, leaders and guests gathered in Las Vegas, Nev., for our union’s Third General Convention. We spent Monday through Friday in session, with our TD brothers and sisters convening for their convention the previous Sunday — working to consider and pass various resolutions, amendments and other motions that will strengthen this union for the long haul.
I am immensely proud of the delegates you elected to represent you at this convention; the solidarity on display inspired everyone who had the chance to witness it. Now, it’s time to get to work.
“All of us want what’s right for our families, our jobs and our union. So please join me in taking action to secure our future this November.
As union members, we know the most important thing for our well-being is each other. But we also know that outside forces, particularly anti-labor politicians, will stop at nothing to constrict and even entirely get rid of our ability to do just that. For that reason, your elected convention delegates made the important decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for vice president in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Just like every other election season, there is a lot of noise out there right now, brothers and sisters, and a lot of powerful people and corporations doing their best to keep us distracted. But throughout our country’s history, one thing has always been true: The laws and policies that strengthen the labor movement always benefit our country.
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz want to help your union grow, create more jobs for SMART members and uplift working families. Their actions prove it. Vice President Harris’s tie-breaking votes to pass the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act saved union members’ pensions and invested in the jobs of our future. As Minnesota governor, Walz passed a state two-person crew law, an air ventilation program to put sheet metal members to work, funded Amtrak, expanded prevailing wage, banned anti-union captive audience meetings, and became the first and only governor in the nation to legislate yardmasters’ hours of service.
The other candidate in this election has an anti-union record that imitates the robber-barons of the past, with plans to outdo himself. His administration rescinded a proposed two-person crew rule, tried to gut union apprenticeships with Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs, prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy over job-creating laws for SMART members — I could go on and on. And his Project 2025 agenda details his intent to attack us even more in the future.
Brothers and sisters, I know we don’t agree on everything in the political arena. But one thing I’m absolutely, 100% certain of is this: All of us want what’s right for our families, our jobs and our union. So please join me in taking action to secure our future this November.
As a sheet metal worker and proud union member for decades, I can confidently say that I’ve never seen as much opportunity in our industry as I do today.
Like many of you, I’ve faced my share of challenges throughout my career. Whether I was working with the tools, fighting to secure jobs as an organizer or negotiating contracts to expand our market share as the business manager of Local 265 in Carol Stream, Illinois, I’ve been right there with you. We have navigated the ups and downs, including the unprecedented challenges of the Great Recession and its aftermath.
Today, we find ourselves in unprecedented times once again — but this time, it’s due to unparalleled growth.
Across the country, we see a surge of megaprojects breaking ground: EV battery plants, infrastructure projects, semiconductor fabrication facilities and more. These projects are coming online every day in places like Texas, Ontario, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vermont and beyond.
Our union is stronger than ever. Our membership now stands at 230,000 — a gain of nearly 30,000 new members. This growth is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work and determination of members and leaders across the union. But let me be clear: This success wasn’t handed to us — it was earned.
In 2020, we mobilized to elect a pro-worker administration and allies in Congress — not because of the party they represented, but because they were willing to listen to us, understand our “Why,” and act on it. We pushed our agenda forward, negotiating with those who were open-minded and committed to understanding the needs of our members. We held accountable those who failed to stand by us and stood firmly behind those who proved their loyalty to our cause. We didn’t just sit back and support candidates based on party affiliation, nor did we simply take politicians at their word. We fought actively for our future.
Our hard work led to the passage of critical legislation — the American Rescue Plan Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. These aren’t just political wins; they are victories for every single union member, ensuring jobs that offer fair pay, good benefits and the dignity of work.
But we cannot take these gains for granted. If we want this period of prosperity to continue, we must remain vigilant and proactive. Our future is at stake in this November’s election.
This election is not about partisan politics. I know that for some, issues like diversity, equity and inclusion, immigration reform, the right to bear arms or who we choose to love are deeply personal and vital. And they are important. But at the core of everything — no matter what we believe or how we live — is the need for family security. Whatever your family looks like, whatever you value, the foundation of it all is the ability to provide for those we love.
That means securing good wages, quality healthcare and the dignity of retirement through our hard-earned pensions.
Our union isn’t just about better wages and benefits; it’s about creating a stable foundation for every family, ensuring that every member can provide for their loved ones. A strong union builds stronger families, stronger communities and ultimately, a stronger country. When we protect and grow our union, we set the stage for addressing all of the other challenges we face. This November, let’s stay focused on what matters most: our union, our families and our future.
That’s why I’ll be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, two pro-union champions who have proven their loyalty to SMART members and pledged to continue our shared progress. I urge you to join me in voting for the future of our families and our union this November.
As I reflect on the recent SMART-TD Convention, I am deeply honored and grateful for the overwhelming support you have shown me and my leadership team. It is clear that the hard work and dedication we’ve put in since 2019 have resonated with those who matter most — the members we proudly serve.
First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Being entrusted with the role of SMART-TD president for a second term is one of the greatest honors of my life. Your continued confidence in my leadership fuels our commitment to achieving even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
The past five years have not been without their challenges, but each obstacle has provided us with valuable lessons. These experiences have not only highlighted our individual resilience but have also reinforced the strength of our collective team. They’ve shown us that when we face difficulties, we do so together, learning and growing from each experience.
In both the bus and rail sectors, we have never shied away from addressing any issue brought to us by our members. Our dedication to fighting for every concern, regardless of public perception or win percentages, is what sets us apart. The power of our united force enables us to represent our members with unwavering resolve.
Some of the defining moments of my first term were our engagement in the fights for two-person freight rail crews, the fight for additional protections for our bus and transit members, and obtaining the dignity of paid sick time for our freight rail members. The landscape of our negotiations might look different now, going into 2025’s national negotiations, but the principles guiding our advocacy remain steadfast. We fight for you, and that commitment does not waver.
As I step into this second term, I am reminded of the immense pride I feel in leading such a remarkable union and working alongside a dedicated staff. Together, we’ve achieved significant milestones, and I am excited about the potential that lies ahead. The next five years will bring their own set of challenges, but I firmly believe that, together, we can transform these challenges into opportunities.
Brothers and sisters, I urge you to remain united and stay the course. There is much more work to be done, and with your continued support, we will tackle each task with the same vigor and determination that has brought us this far.
Thank you for your trust and for standing with us. Here’s to the future and to the continued strength of our union.
In solidarity,
Jeremy R. Ferguson President, Transportation Division
On June 4, 2024, an op-ed by Chris Paswisty, former director of Canadian Affairs at SMART, and Krista Wylie, co-founder of Fix Our Schools, was published in the Edmonton Journal. The article discussed the severe air quality issues in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba as a result of wildfires, particularly in schools, and is republished below.
As the world marks another Clean Air Day, it is incumbent on policymakers across Canada to ensure clean air, both inside and out, is a reality. Last year, on Clean Air Day, wildfires led Canada to record the worst air quality in the world. And already this spring, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba are witnessing some of the worst air quality levels on record.
Exacerbated by climate change effects, the increased prevalence of wildfires has resulted in prolonged periods of poor air quality across the country. This is causing a new public health crisis to emerge, and it is impacting our most vulnerable population, our children.
Wildfire smoke significantly deteriorates air quality, leading to increased respiratory illnesses, asthma and other health complications. Particulate matter in wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing immediate and long-term health impacts, particularly in children whose respiratory systems are still developing.
Although many provinces, including Ontario, B.C. and Alberta, have made commendable investments in HEPA filters for schools since 2020, this must be part of a broader, more comprehensive strategy for schools across the country. This measure alone is insufficient to protect our children against harmful pollutants as many school buildings still rely on outdated ventilation infrastructure, open windows, or use fans that are circulating dirty, unfiltered air.
As Canada continues to grapple with the escalating frequency and intensity of wildfires, the current infrastructure is just not advanced enough for the challenges posed by today’s environmental conditions. Upgrading these systems to meet modern standards is a must — particularly as children spend an average of 120 hours a month in school.
In 2022–23, air quality monitoring was conducted in New Brunswick schools, and it was found that 83% of the schools accessed exceeded peak CO2 limits, among other pollutants. Continuous air quality monitoring is crucial to install the proper equipment.
To safeguard the health of our children, Canada must implement regulations to monitor, measure and report air quality levels in schools across the country. Once results are available, decisions can be made on additional funding for necessary infrastructure, such as air ventilation and filtration systems, to ensure children are not at risk while attending classes.
The last time the Ontario provincial government released school disrepair data was in June 2021. At that time, the school repair backlog stood at a whopping $16.8 billion. Fix Our Schools, a parent advocacy group in Ontario, estimates that this repair backlog has continued to grow year-over-year, with the figure likely being well over $17 billion by now.
Fix Our Schools points out that this total repair backlog number does not include much-needed improvements, such as equipment to monitor air quality, and other investments required to improve air quality in classrooms. The time to act is now.
As NDP MPP Chandra Pasma rightly emphasized when introducing the Air Quality for Our Children Act, strong air quality in schools has been shown to improve overall health, reduce the spread of airborne infections and boost children’s test scores.
Increasing wildfires across Canada serve as a stark reminder that new legislation and funding is required to ensure all children have access to a clean and safe learning environment for years to come.
Jeremy Ferguson of Local 313 (Grand Rapids, Mich.) was reelected as president of SMART-TD on Sunday, August 11, by delegates to the Third TD Convention.
His second five-year term as the leader of the United States’ largest railroad and transit union begins Oct. 1, where he will continue to lead the fight for the safety and just treatment of those he represents.
Ferguson reelected after five years of accomplishments
“We’ve been winning, and winning big time,” he said, speaking of SMART-TD’s results during his first term. “I’m proud of each and every one of [our members], and I’m proud of my team behind me. Thanks to your efforts, we still have two crewmembers on the train.
“This union is winning on all accounts, across the board, including in arbitration, negotiations and mediation. We are the best union out there and that’s not just my thinking, that is a fact.
“Since the freight carriers went to war against us on day two of my administration, we’ve been on the offense,” he said. “Since the cities, county agencies and transit companies started trying to put things over on our essential operators, we have met them with strength.”
Transit union focused on assault prevention
Under Ferguson’s watch, SMART-TD formed the Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee, which is dedicated to stopping the epidemic of violence transit members face. Created in July 2023, BTAPS has made progress increasing the penalties for assaulting transportation workers. BTAPS is also negotiating to make working conditions for bus and transit workers safer through the installation of protective barriers and other measures.
Railroad union focused on safety and quality of life improvements
Ferguson was among the coalition of rail labor leaders who achieved paid sick time for railroad employees in 2022. Rail labor made considerable progress toward safety improvements during Ferguson’s first term, including the Federal Railroad Administration’s establishment of a two-person freight rail crew regulation.
Negotiations for the next national rail labor contract are scheduled to begin later this year.
Work ethic and integrity are Ferguson’s strengths
Don Zatteau, a delegate of Ferguson’s home local, made the initial nomination for Ferguson’s reelection. The motion received multiple seconds.
“His character and integrity are beyond reproach. His work ethic should be set as an example for this industry,” Zatteau said. “He lives and breathes this union, [it is] his heart and soul.”
Ferguson was challenged for the office by attorney Terry Smith, a member of Local 794 (Wellington, Kan.). Ferguson won reelection with 952 to 45 votes.
No changes among other top union officers
National Legislative Director Gregory Hynes (Local 1081, Phoenix, Ariz.) And Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity (Local 1377, Russell, Ky.) Were also returned to their positions in uncontested elections.
All six rail Transportation Division vice presidents ran uncontested and were reelected by acclamation.
They are:
Brent Leonard (Local 202, Denver, Colo.)
Chad Adams (Local 331, Temple, Texas)
Jamie Modesitt (Local 298, Garrett, Ind.)
Joe Lopez (Local 794, Wellington, Kan.)
Gary Crest (Local 807, Tucson, Ariz.)
Dave Wier Jr. (Local 469, Madison, Ill.)
Leonard was also returned to the successor president position by acclamation.
“We’ve defied expectations and proven our resilience,” he said.
Bus incumbents defeat challengers
SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President Alvy Hughes (Local 1596, Charlotte, N.C.) was challenged by Manuel Martinez of Local 1608 (Chatsworth, Calif.). Hughes won the election, 896–104.
SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President James Sandoval (Local 23, Santa Cruz, Calif.) was challenged by Alt. Vice President Richard Finley of Local 1558 (Bergenfield, N.J.). Sandoval retained his seat, 939-58.
Alvy HughesChad AdamsChris BartzGregory Hynes
Cassity returned by acclamation
Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity was reelected by acclamation.
“Our issues are not political — they’re either right or they’re wrong,” Cassity said, addressing the nation’s divided political climate that hinders progress on workers’ issues. “In this room, there are no political adversaries. Our issues are our issues and worth fighting for. Do not let someone else drive a wedge between you!”
Bus Alternate Vice Presidents
Anthony Petty of Local 1594 (Upper Darby, Pa.) was elected to Bus Department Alternate VP — East by acclamation.
“I’m going to hit the ground running,” Petty said. “For the bus membership, we are going to be stronger. I’m proud to be part of this team.”
Incumbent Alt. Vice President — West Markeisha Haynes of Local 1785 (Santa Monica, Calif.) Faced a challenge from longtime LACMTA bus operator Pedro “Pete” Lara of Local 1563 (El Monte, Calif.) and won the vote, 861–126.
Rail Alternate Vice Presidents Alt. Vice President
Anthony Simon (Local 645, Babylon, N.Y.) announced his retirement from the position of alternate vice president, creating a vacancy. GCA-721 General Chairperson Thomas Behsman of Local 64 (Waseca, Minn.), who works for CPKC, and GCA-270 General Chairperson Edward W. “Chip” Waugh of Local 1258 (Elgin, Ill.), who works on Metra, both sought to join the incumbent Transportation Division’s leadership, which included:
Scott Chelette (Local 1337, New Orleans, La.)
Larry Miller Jr. (Local 1841, Klamath, Ore.)
Chris Bartz (Local 1976, St. Paul, Minn.)
Tommy Gholson (Local 573, Danville, Ky.)
Luke Edington (Local 286, North Platte, Neb.)
The final vote tally saw Waugh joining the five incumbents.
GP Coleman swears in newly elected TD officers.
Two new faces on SMART-TD Board of Appeals
Three incumbents on the SMART-TD Board of Appeals were returned to the board by acclamation. They are:
Tony McAdams (Local 1092, Teague, Texas), Road Service
Kevin Smith (Local 1813, Colton, Calif.), Yard Service
Tim Flynn Jr. (Local 832, Superior, Wis.), Engine Service
Brenda Moore (Local 1715, Charlotte, N.C.) retired from her role as the Bus Department’s representative on the Board of Appeals, and Rick Pauli did not run for reelection as the Commuter representative, leaving room for two new faces on the board.
Christine Ivey (Local 1785, Santa Monica, Calif.) ran unopposed as Moore’s replacement, and an election was held for two candidates for the Commuter Board of Appeals vacancy.
LCA-769A Chairperson Cole Czub of Local 898 (Boston, Mass.), a member of the BTAPS Committee, faced LCA-769 Chairperson Mike Buckley of Local 838 (Philadelphia, Pa.) and won the election.
Czub and Ivey assume their new roles Oct. 1.
Members made this convention happen
A special note of thanks to the hard-working members of SMART Local 137 in New York City, Local 540 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and Local 88 in Las Vegas, whose dedication and labor helped make the Third SMART General Convention a success.
Since early 2024, workers in production facilities represented by Local 540 have worked tirelessly to produce a variety of convention apparel. From Transportation Division-branded hats to the SMART tablet bags provided to delegates, these SMART sisters and brothers sewed union pride and craftsmanship into the fabric of the convention.
Local 88 members Jamal Johnson and Jorge Hernandez-Gutierrez worked in close collaboration throughout the convention with SMART staff across departments, handling logistics and preparing for a smooth convention.
Finally, as in years past, all the convention signage in Las Vegas was fabricated by Local 137 apprentices and volunteer journeyworkers like Michael Viviano. Working night and day through several weekends, these members created all the directional signage for use at the convention, member images as well as the ceremonial gift check that was presented to our designated charity, the United Labor Agency of Nevada (ULAN). The volunteers who gave up their weekends to make the signs include Bryan Barahona, Dillon Franzese, Thomas Navarro, Robert Blood and Local 137 Financial Secretary-Treasurer and JATC Coordinator Pete Scaglione. Brothers Viviano and Scaglione have produced signage for SMART conferences and conventions for more than 15 years.
On behalf of all delegates, members and honored guests at the Third SMART General Convention: Thank you, brothers and sisters, for all that you do!
General President Michael Coleman kicked off the Third SMART General Convention on August 12, 2024, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, Nev. In a nod to the convention theme — “Challenge met. But we’re not done.” — Coleman celebrated our union’s fighting spirit and called on delegates to keep up the good work on behalf of the members.
Coleman began by paying tribute to the work of past delegates and leaders, whose trailblazing actions brought two great unions — the United Transportation Union and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association — together in 2014.
“Today, we see the fruits of our predecessors’ hard work. Today, we are a strong union. Today, we are a forward-thinking union. And today, we are a united union,” he said.
He also looked back on the last five years — some of the most extraordinary and eventful that our two nations, let alone our union, have ever faced.
Sheet metal locals were confronted with a potentially devastating attack on union apprenticeships when the Trump administration proposed its anti-worker Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs) rule. Meanwhile, the transportation industry faced an anti-worker administration that — among other things — conducted an all-out offensive on freight railroaders, withdrawing a proposed federal two-person crew rule and attempting to pre-empt state 2PC laws. On top of that, there was the 2020 United States election, pitting a stridently pro-worker challenger against an anti-worker incumbent, plus provincial battles against anti-labour laws in Canada. Not to mention, Coleman added, the world-altering COVID-19 pandemic.
“But we not only met those challenges, we exceeded all expectations,” he declared. “It took all of us. Rowing in the same direction. As General President Sellers used to say, pulling on the same rope. Working together as ONE UNION.”
SMART members mobilized to defeat the IRAPs initiative. We elected pro-union legislators who passed transformative laws that saved union pensions, created union sheet metal jobs, funded transportation infrastructure and gave Canadian members the ability to more effectively travel for work. We staffed megaprojects that spurred incredible growth at local unions across North America. And we finally won a two-person freight train crew regulation, putting rail safety and union jobs ahead of shareholder greed.
We achieved all of that, Coleman told delegates, because we know our “why” — our reason for doing what we do. That “why” is each other: the members of this great union. And it’s because of that “why” that we aren’t finished winning for SMART members across North America.
“General President Emeritus Sellers set us up for this moment. And we MUST seize it,” Coleman said.
Whether it’s legislation that protects our bus and transit members from assaults, or aggressive organizing to staff megaprojects, handle manufacturing demands and ensure a just transition to a green economy, Coleman emphasized the importance of keeping SMART members’ future in mind as, collectively, the convention body mapped the direction our organization will take for the next five years.
SMART is resurgent, Coleman continued. Now, we need to seize this moment. Because, make no mistake, he said: Our enemies are ruthless, and they won’t stop attacking SMART members.
“Think about why they hate us,” Coleman said. “Think about what crime they think we commit. They hate us because we fight for safety in the workplace. They hate us because we fight for the ability to live and raise our families with dignity. They hate us because we fight for the ability to retire with dignity. And when it comes time to leave this place, we fight for the ability to do that with dignity.”
“It is going to be a fight,” he told delegates. “A fight that we didn’t choose. But if it is a fight they want, it is a fight they are going to get. But this time, we will tell them when the fight is over.”
GST Daniel asks delegates: “How will we be remembered?”
SMART General Secretary-Treasurer John Daniel knows well the challenges faced by union workers across North America — over the last five years, and over the last several decades.
“I stand before you not just as your SMART general secretary-treasurer, but as a fellow worker — one who has walked the same paths, faced the same struggles and fought the same battles,” he told attendees.
Daniel was there when the railroads sued to pre-empt Illinois’ two-person crew law, he explained. He was Local 265 business manager when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, shutting everything down and casting the world into total chaos.
“But I can say from firsthand experience, those challenges didn’t stop us in Illinois. And I know it didn’t stop anyone in this room,” he said.
SMART Canada has worked hard to win jobs and strong labour standards in the transition to a green economy up north, representing workers in not only sheet metal but roofing and various production sectors. Meanwhile, internal organizing and a focus on training have helped the Transportation Division both organize and retain members in the face of adverse conditions, while investments in recruitment and retention will help SMART sustain its growth.
The financial health of the organization is stellar, Daniel said. And on the back of megaprojects and strong representation across sheet metal and transportation, SMART’s membership has increased from a little over 203,000 to 230,000.
“Now, it is our time to decide who we are,” he declared.
Diversity in the production and bus industries provides a model for SMART to follow as we strengthen our union through organizing and inclusion. We need to keep reaching out to people of all backgrounds in every community, Daniel said, and ensure that anyone who carries a dues receipt, union card or pink ticket gets the representation they deserve.
He also argued that SMART needs to continue investing in ourselves if we want to build on the success we have achieved. Subsidized organizers, legislative staff and programs aimed at recruiting and retaining members have been key to recent victories, Daniel told attendees — and such investment needs to continue.
DOT secretary headlines day one of SMART General Convention
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had a very specific message when he spoke at SMART’s Third General Convention:
“Union jobs change the trajectory of generations.”
Buttigieg received a warm welcome from SMART delegates, and he matched their enthusiasm with an exciting message that the continued success of America is tied directly to empowering our union workforce. He spoke in detail about the megaprojects he and the Biden-Harris administration have put in place in every state in the country that are keeping our sheet metal members working. On the transportation side, he discussed the Federal Railroad Administration regulation enacted this spring mandating two-person crews on freight trains across the U. S., as well as the new Brightline West high-speed rail project.
The project links Las Vegas, Nevada, to Los Angeles, California. It will provide sheet metal work for building and maintaining the tracks, stations and infrastructure, and bring jobs to the TD side with SMART crews operating the trains.
Speaking directly to SMART-TD’s bus operators, Buttigieg pointed out that one of the things he is proud of in his three-plus years at the DOT is his administration’s work with SMART and the Federal Transit Administration to finalize a rule forming safety committees on bus properties around the country. He specified that our bus operators will be on these safety committees and that they will control the safety programs that come out of them.
But he and the Biden-Harris administration could not have accomplished these things on their own. He gestured to the delegates on the convention floor: “You drove that! That is what the power of organizing can do!”
Union jobs and SMART membership not only “change the trajectory of generations,” but also empower each of us to “shape a future your kids can be proud of,” he said.
AFL-CIO President Shuler rallies delegates to seize this moment
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler gave delegates a rousing speech that connected SMART members’ fights to the ongoing resurgence of the labor movement, telling members and leaders:
“Whether you’re a sheet metal worker, a bus operator, a service technician, a railroad engineer, a sign worker, a welder, a production employee … if you’re a part of this union, North America does not work without you.”
In her remarks, Shuler discussed the still-enormous fight that working people face across the United States, recounting the experiences of workers struggling for dignity and living wages — and contrasting those experiences with the exorbitant payrolls of America’s executive class. Those executives, she explained, are the people who stand to benefit if Donald Trump gets reelected and implements his Project 2025 agenda.
But thanks to the labor movement, Shuler said, workers across the U.S. are seeing that another way exists. Specifically shouting out the work and achievements of Local 435 in Gainesville, Florida, TD Local 1704 in Kansas City and Local 480 in Faribault, Minn. — plus victories at the national level, like the federal two-person freight train crew regulation, the work of the SMART Women’s Committee and the BE4ALL Rapid Response Protocol — she praised SMART’s work to empower the working class in the face of profit-flation and corporate greed.
“You are setting the standard,” she declared.
Shuler ended with a request: As November approaches, delegates, officers, families and people across the labor movement need to hit the jobsite, the phone banks and the doors to spread the word about what’s at stake in this presidential election.
“We can be the ones who make history,” Shuler concluded. “We have the momentum. … Are you ready? Let’s do this.”
Horsford to delegates: “Las Vegas is a union town”
Nevada Congressman Steven Horsford took the podium at the Third SMART General Convention on Monday, Aug. 12. Horsford, who represents SMART members and working families in Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District and is also the co-chair and founder of the Congressional Labor Caucus, received a warm welcome for his stellar support for organized labor while in office.
Horsford voted for the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, a package of legislation that saved SMART members’ pensions; created jobs building the United States’ critical infrastructure; invested in American railroads and public transit; put union sheet metal workers on clean energy jobs and much more. He also worked to fund the Brightline West high-speed rail line, creating work for SMART sheet metal and railroad workers, and has helped local unions in Nevada and beyond win funding for their training centers.
That said, he went on, we’re not done. Horsford pledged to continue working with SMART on a variety of priorities, including the reauthorization of the National Apprenticeship Act.
“I look forward to working with you to advance this bill, and address many of your other priorities,” he concluded.
Harris details ITI’s efforts to boost training
International Training Institute Administrator Michael Harris provided delegates with an overview of the ITI’s various initiatives to boost and enhance training at local unions and regional councils across SMART — grants, training programs and curricula, and much more. He also updated the audience on the ITI’s ongoing work to continue meeting the challenges of the future, including a JATC full-time coordinator subsidy program.
Nev. AFL-CIO’s Martinez fires up crowd
Nevada AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez fired up SMART convention delegates with her remarks, which touched on her history as a pro-labor legislator who helped pass indoor air quality legislation and a state two-person crew law.
Martinez acknowledged the large role SMART played in helping her pass Nevada’s two-person crew bill in 2019, as well as the state’s AB 927, the Clean Air Act, in 2021.
A longstanding member of Teamsters Local 986, she described the incredible amount of assistance she received from SMART Local 88’s Al Lopez in her pursuit of the law.
In Martinez’s words, “Al was in my office every day. He was there by my side. The reason I’m having Al come up here is so I can say that we don’t do this alone.”
She told SMART’s delegates she was later given an award from AFL-CIO leadership known as The Best Bill Ever award for passing the Clean Air Act.
To Brother Lopez’s surprise, Martinez announced that the recognition she received for passing “their bill” was just as much an accomplishment for Al and SMART Local 88 as it was for her. She then presented Brother Lopez with the plaque she had been awarded, saying she wanted him to have it in recognition of what Local 88, with Lopez’s determination, had done to realize this important legislation.
NABTU president to delegates: “What we do will impact future generations.”
North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey has spent decades working alongside SMART members and leaders to win progress for workers in the legislative, organizing and economic development arenas. In his Tuesday speech to delegates at the Third SMART General Convention, McGarvey took time to note the victories we have won together — and emphasized that we cannot stop pushing.
“With these wins and significant investments coming online, we must capture as much work as possible,” he declared. “We must be intentional about recruiting and retaining the next generation of unionized building trades workers and growing our contractor base.”
SMART members made incredible progress in the last several years. Under the Biden-Harris administration, McGarvey said, labor standards in pro-union laws and unprecedented investment in the United States’ core infrastructure created opportunities for building trades workers that once seemed unthinkable — not to mention the administration’s actions to strengthen Davis-Bacon prevailing wages and pension reform in the American Rescue Plan Act.
In turn, he added, unions like SMART have been able to expand their focus on organizing, recruiting and retaining workers from all communities and bring our neighbors — people of color, the justice-involved, veterans and more — into our best-of-class apprenticeship programs. He specifically credited the SMART Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) initiative, Women’s Committee and Director of Special Projects Louise Medina for their work to make the building trades welcoming to all, especially in this crucial moment.
Now, as election 2024 approaches, the rubber meets the road, McGarvey said. Our ability to build, organize, grow and keep members on the jobsite rests largely on who takes office in November. Referencing Project 2025 and the ABC-endorsed Trump administration’s previous efforts to gut building trades unions — with Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs being just one example — he highlighted the importance of putting pro-union lawmakers in office.
“We are on the cusp of an infrastructure decade,” McGarvey told delegates. “You helped us get here, and we need you more than ever between now and November to prevent a hostile administration from taking away all of the gains we made by meeting the challenges placed in front of us.”
USA’s Ingram touts solidarity, service and the great outdoors
Across the United States, SMART sheet metal and Transportation Division members have worked with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) to conserve wildlife, connect with local communities and, of course, enjoy the great outdoors — whether hunting, fishing or hiking.
In remarks to delegates, USA Executive Director and CEO Walt Ingram expounded on the important relationships that the USA-SMART partnership helps create — and how it helps SMART take on a variety of challenges. Foremost among those is bringing members together in true solidarity.
“We’re a member engagement tool for you at your local unions, and I want to encourage you to take advantage of that,” Ingram said.
SMOHIT evolves with the times to meet members’ needs
Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) Administrator Aldo Zambetti presented to delegates on Tuesday, August 13, where he overviewed the ways the fund has morphed and evolved to help members meet health challenges. Perhaps the most high-profile example: SMOHIT and SMART’s ever-growing focus on members’ mental and physical health, exemplified through continuing programs like the SMART Member Assistance Program (MAP), SMOHIT Helpline, suicide awareness trainings and the use of apps like Wellbeats.
Zambetti also told the audience about SMOHIT’s efforts to provide members with resources they can take with them, such as information on where to find support when traveling for work (the Make Yourself at Home app) and a weekly, virtual 12-step program. Helping members is an ongoing process, he added, and will require our union’s commitment moving forward.
BE4ALL, RISE, Women’s Committees meet to forge a stronger union
Following the first day of proceedings at SMART’s Third General Convention, members of the SMART Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL); Representation, Integrity, Support, Empowerment (RISE); and Women’s Committees came together for a celebration of progress and comradery — and a recommitment to their important work moving forward.
While differing in their specific missions, the committees broadly focus on strengthening SMART by making our union a more welcoming and inclusive place for all members. Each committee works with current members, local union and regional council officers, International staff and potential new members on recruitment, retention, empowerment and solidarity within SMART, all of which are key to our continued success.
In Las Vegas, members arrived from the furthest reaches of our union — everywhere from Vancouver to Ontario, San Francisco to Atlanta — to engage in this important committee work. General President Michael Coleman and General Secretary-Treasurer John Daniel met with committee members for an open question-and-answer session; attendees also had the chance to open up to one another and forge deeper bonds of solidarity.
Former Canadian Affairs Director Chris PaswistySMOHIT Administrator Aldo ZambettiPension Funds Administrator Lori WoodSMART Director of Mental Health Wellness and Support Chris Carlough
Director Reports
Carlough reports on SMART’s wellness and mental health efforts
SMART’s inaugural director of Wellness and Mental Health Support, Chris Carlough, reported on expanded and continuing efforts to support the holistic well-being of members across North America. That includes through peer-to-peer mental health and suicide awareness training; naloxone training to prevent opioid overdoses; and ongoing SMART Member Assistance Program sessions in every corner of our union.
Wood updates delegates on the status of SMART’s pension funds
Lori Wood, the executive director of SMART’s National Pension Fund, National Supplemental Savings Plan and Local Unions and Councils Pension Plan, spoke to the convention on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The director updated delegates on the status and projections of SMART’s pension funds. Wood also reported on the health of SMART employee investment funds and informed the delegates of recent changes to our death benefit.
Paswisty reviews Canadian affairs
Former SMART Department of Canadian Affairs Director Chris Paswisty overviewed the state of the union in Canada, which represents members working in the sheet metal, roofing, dockyard and shipyard industries, plus strong production locals representing members in the HVAC, automotive and garment sectors. There are large amounts of work, and huge investments, coming down the pipeline across Canada, he noted, and SMART is working to take advantage with organizers across the provinces.
Paswisty also detailed SMART Canada’s efforts to leverage existing strengths to make future gains: legislative strategizing to win green jobs — including pro-labour laws that have already been passed — messaging around wildfires and indoor air quality to raise SMART’s profile, and much more.
Nevada Rep. Lee pledges continued partnership with SMART
On the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 13, delegates heard from Congresswoman Susie Lee of Nevada’s Third District.
Lee grew up in a steel town — Canton, Ohio — where she witnessed firsthand the lifechanging power of a union job, as well as the devastating effects of attacks on the labor movement and American manufacturing.
“When I fight for worker protections, for PLAs, for pensions, for worker safety, for two-person train crews, let me tell you — it’s personal to me,” she said.
That’s why Lee cast major votes in Congress for the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act, she explained. Those laws have funded projects like the Brightline West high-speed rail line, set to create 140,000 new, good-paying union jobs, and put SMART sheet metal and transportation members to work.
Lee concluded by vowing to continue partnering with SMART to win for workers, from Southern Nevada to the rest of our country.
Delegates to the Third SMART General Convention elected Michael Coleman of Local 33 (Cleveland, Ohio) as the union’s general president on Wednesday, August 14, by acclamation.
“I nominate a person I respect, a person who puts the advancement of SMART before himself,” said SMART General President Emeritus Joseph Sellers Jr., whose nomination was seconded by delegates from across the SMART sheet metal and Transportation Divisions.
General President Emeritus Sellers nominates Coleman for general president, surrounded by SMART-TD delegates.
Delegates also elected John Daniel of Local 265 (Carol Stream, Ill.) as general secretary-treasurer, by acclamation, and voted 11 general vice presidents onto the SMART General Executive Council (GEC).
Coleman and Daniel were joined by SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson, who was reelected on Sunday during the Third Transportation Division Convention.
Coleman dedicated his acceptance speech to giving thanks. Along with Local 33, its members and leaders, he paid tribute to Assistants to the General President Darrell Roberts and Tom Wiant, as well as General President Emeritus Sellers — for his leadership, for how he positioned SMART, for his friendship and for his mentorship. He also thanked General Secretary- Treasurer Daniel and Transportation Division President Ferguson, who he hailed as trailblazing leaders and even better friends, along with a variety of other union members, leaders, and sisters and brothers.
He ended by giving heartfelt thanks to his family, including his son, Nick, and his wife, Liz, before expressing his gratitude for the delegates gathered at the convention.
“I want you to know how humbled and honored I am to have your vote,” Coleman said. “I will never back down from anybody, and I will fight tooth and nail for each and every single one of you and your members. Because I love you all.”
“When all this is over, we’ve got some asses to kick, and some names to take.”
Daniel thanked his home local, Local 265, and gave his sincere thanks to the many union members and leaders — retired officers, current members and beyond — who molded the man he is today. He also declared his unwavering commitment to serving every member, in every craft, in every industry that our union represents.
Reiterating a recurring convention theme, he vowed to fight on members’ behalf to grow and strengthen SMART and the labor movement.
“Together, we are unstoppable,” he concluded. “Let us build a union that stands for every member.”
Transportation Division President Ferguson used his acceptance speech to thank his wife and family, TD office staff in Cleveland, UTUIA staff, retiring TD General Counsel Kevin Brodar and Ferguson’s deceased mentor, former Local 313 Chair Herm Boruta. He also remarked on the incredible solidarity on display:
“I will never forget General President Emeritus Joseph Sellers making the nomination for Mike Coleman, with all those TD local numbers behind him,” he said.
Like Coleman, Ferguson concluded his remarks by thanking convention delegates.
“The greatest honor I have is to give a thank you to each and every one of you delegates. Thank you for your dedication and your love of this union.”
SMART General President Emeritus Sellers swore in the newly elected officers. Wednesday’s elected general vice presidents are: Derek Evans, first GVP; Arthur Tolentino, second GVP; Rick Werner, third GVP; Bill Kenyon, fourth GVP; Robert Butler, fifth GVP; Ray Reasons, sixth GVP; Lance Deyette, seventh GVP; Thomas De Bartolo, eighth GVP; Jason Pedersen, ninth GVP; Stephen Langley, 10th GVP and Matthew Fairbanks, 11th GVP.
From the elections that took place Sunday, Sellers swore in TD President-elect Jeremy Ferguson, National Legislative Director Greg Hynes, Rail Vice Presidents Brent Leonard, Chad Adams, Jamie Modesitt and Bus Vice President Alvy Hughes.
