On-Duty Assault Leaves Amtrak Conductor Facing Financial Hardship

Over the past 18 months, Amtrak conductor and SMART-TD Sister Heather Steele (Local 168, Chicago) has fought to recover after a violent attack on the job left her unable to work. With her disability support depleted, she and her family are facing severe financial hardship as their bills mount.

Married to a veteran who is permanently disabled and the mother of two children, Heather is the primary provider for her household.

After depleting her life savings, she now faces the loss of her vehicle while her family confronts the possibility of losing their home.

SMART-TD Local 168 (Chicago) has organized a fundraiser to support Heather and her family, because no one who is hurt protecting others should be forced to lose everything. 
 
Make a contribution to support Sister Steele and her family ► 

Amtrak Assault Turns Life Upside Down  

On the morning of August 15, 2024, Heather was violently assaulted by a passenger.

Working alone without an Assistant Conductor (which is a serious problem on its own), Sister Steele was solely responsible for more than 130 passengers.

She was attacked without warning, knocked unconscious, and suffered devastating injuries. The viciousness of this attack has caused her to continue to have stroke-like episodes nearly a year-and-a-half after the incident.

Sister Steele suffered a traumatic brain injury, a severe right shoulder dislocation with fracture, and a left ankle fracture with tendon instability, and lingering psychological trauma.

Since that day, she’s attended physical therapy multiple times a week, undergone surgeries, specialist visits, and ongoing treatment to regain basic movement and function. She is doing all this with hopes of returning to full duty. 

Help Support Heather and Her Family 

Sister Heather Steele has spent her career doing what railroaders do every day: showing up, serving the public, and keeping passengers safe.

Now, it’s our turn to help her.