Idaho Labor Community Honors SMART-TD’s George Millward

Longtime SMART-TD leader George Millward (Local 0265, Pocatello, Idaho) has received the Robert McFarlane Award, the highest honor presented by the Idaho State AFL-CIO for outstanding trade union leadership.

Named for former Idaho State AFL-CIO President Robert McFarlane, the award recognizes a lifetime or career dedicated to advancing the rights, safety and economic dignity of Idaho’s working people.

Making the recognition even more meaningful was the person who presented it to him: his son, Nate Millward (Local 0265), SMART-TD’s current Idaho State Safety and Legislative Director.

It was a moment that connected two generations of Millwards and more than two decades of leadership on behalf of our members.

A Career Fighting for Idaho Workers

George served as Idaho State Safety & Legislative Director for the United Transportation Union and SMART-TD from 1988 through 2012, representing railroaders before legislators, regulators, and other decision-makers in Boise, throughout Idaho, and nationally.

His influence extended well beyond our union.

Of the labor leaders and advocates across Idaho, Brother Millward was selected for the state’s highest labor honor.

That is something his SMART-TD brothers and sisters can be proud of.

The Next Generation

The honor took on added meaning because Nate is building a labor legacy of his own.

In addition to working for Union Pacific and serving his local in Pocatello, Nate is president of the Pocatello Central Labor Council. In 2024, he became SMART-TD’s Idaho State Safety and Legislative Director, stepping into the same position his father held for over 24 years.

That gave Nate a rare opportunity: to stand before Idaho’s labor movement and personally recognize his father for a lifetime of service.

More than 30 years after George first took responsibility for representing Idaho railroaders in the statehouse, his son is carrying that responsibility forward.

George helped build SMART-TD’s voice and relationships across Idaho. Today, Nate is building on that foundation while creating a record of his own.

SMART-TD is proud of Brother George Millward and the career that earned him Idaho labor’s highest honor. We are equally proud to have Brother Nate Millward continuing the fight for our members today.