Category: Bus
In Loving Memory of Brother Darryl Redmon
Local 1704 (Kansas City, MO) and SMART-TD honor the memory of Brother Darryl Redmon, General Chairperson of GO-STU (First Student 1704), whose brief but impactful tenure exemplified servant leadership, union advocacy, and compassionate service. Read on to see how his legacy endures through the lives he touched, the contracts he influenced, and the deep respect he earned among colleagues, family, and his community.
San Carlos School Bus Operators ratify substantial wage and 401(k) increases
San Carlos school bus operators in SMART-TD Local 1741 have overwhelmingly ratified a new two-year contract with a 96% approval rate, securing significant improvements in wages, retirement benefits, union protections, and grievance procedures. The agreement includes a 6.8% wage increase, a doubled 401(k) match, and new union release time, marking a major win for worker representation and financial security. Read on for more details of this precedent setting win for SMART-TD's Bus Department.
Rash of Transit Funding Crises May Impact Members from Coast to Coast
With multiple cities facing difficult decisions about the futures of their transit agencies as the impact of reduced funding, or a lack of funding becomes a reality, SMART-TD members and the riding public will ultimately suffer the consequences. Read on to learn which cities are affected and what the cuts could lead to in the future.
Colorado bill criminalizing transit assault one step closer to becoming law
With attacks against transit workers showing no signs of slowing down, SMART-TD's safety and legislative directors fight to pass legislation to address this issue in every state. Colorado’s pending new law creates harsher penalties for transit assault, but can it pass before the legislature adjourns? Read on to find out what’s in the bill, who is backing it, and what hurdles remain before it reaches the Governor’s desk.
Maryland Passes Monumental Transit Safety Bill
A Maryland bill designed to protect bus and passenger rail workers from violent assaults has officially passed both chambers of the state legislature and is now headed to the governor’s desk for signature. HB-1144 passed unanimously because of powerful union member testimonies, cross-union collaboration and the strategic coordination by Maryland’s new Safety & Legislative Director David Pendleton. Read on to learn more about Pendleton’s first legislative win and the benefits headed to our Maryland members.
New Mexico Local 1687 sets new precedent with Red Apple Transit
Local 1687 bus Operators at Red Apple Transit in Farmington, NM have unanimously ratified a four-year agreement securing a 22.13% wage increase and major quality-of-life improvements, including expanded sick leave, more paid holidays, and a flexible bereavement policy. This landmark deal not only addresses employee retention issues but also sets new precedents that could influence transit union negotiations nationwide.
Snipers test bulletproof barriers for SEPTA: SMART-TD was there
A new type of glare-resistant, bulletproof barrier has been installed in eight SEPTA buses, and SMART-TD got a live, in-person look at the most recent round of testing. Read on to see the results and learn what this means for transit workers across the country.
BTAPS expands safety push to all 50 states with new legislative tech
SMART-TD prepares for best-of-class safety legislation with a new tool that allows the union to remix existing laws into new bills. Read on to learn how the new bill tracker will help the Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee create safer workplaces from coast to coast.