Frequently asked questions and answers for TD members
Want to get involved? Have you been notified you are under investigation? Wish to file a grievance? Do you have membership rights question? Below are some FAQs you might find helpful.
If you have a question that is not answered below, send it in and it will be added.
Please note: For best results, you should be logged in to your SMART Member Portal account in order to fully access many of these resources.
Membership questions
Contact the SMART Organizing Department.
- Consult your local chairperson immediately. Read the publication You Are Hereby Notified
This resource is available via the SMART Member Portal. Please log in to access it.
If you do not know your local number, call SMART TD headquarters at (216) 228-9400 and follow the prompts for either the TD Updating or Public Relations Department.
Your local officer information should come up when logging in to the Member Portal or the SMART app.
If you do not know your local number, call SMART TD headquarters at (216) 228-9400 and follow the prompts for either the TD Updating or Public Relations Department.
Information about the officers who represent you should come up when logging in to the Member Portal or the SMART app.
If you do not know your GC number, call SMART TD headquarters at (216) 228-9400 and follow the prompts for either the TD Updating or Public Relations Department.
Information about the officers who represent you should come up when logging in to the Member Portal or the SMART app.
If you do not know who your SLD is, call SMART TD headquarters at (216) 228-9400 and follow the prompts for either the TD Updating or Public Relations Department.
Filing charges against a local official is spelled out in the SMART Constitution, Article 21B, Section 74, as well as in Articles 17 and 18.
An advisable first step would be to call the TD President’s Office at 216-228-9400 or to send an email to the President’s Office to discuss the nature of your complaint.
Representation questions
As a union member, when you see something unsafe or in violation of your collective bargaining agreement, report it to your local chairperson or your local legislative representative right away through the local’s preferred manner. You also can use the TD Safety Condition Report via the SMART app, the Member Portal or by email, text, visiting the local or by phone.
Resources including the booklet “How to Protect Your Rights When Injured on the Job,” a railroad proof of disability form and information about the bus and railroad VSTD and VDP plans are available via the Member Portal.
Every SMART Transportation Division freight and passenger rail member needs to know that federal law protects them from employer retaliation — and threats of retaliation — when they report to the carrier or a government agency alleged violations of safety or security laws or regulations, or allegations of fraud, waste or abuse of funds intended for rail safety or security.
Government agencies include federal regulatory or law enforcement agencies, and members of Congress or their staff.
This protection, provided by the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 2007, also extends to employees refusing to work under certain unsafe conditions, or refusing to authorize the use of any safety or security related equipment.
Retaliation, including threats of retaliation, is defined as firing or laying off, blacklisting, demoting, denying overtime or promotion, disciplining, denying benefits, failing to rehire, intimidation, reassignment affecting promotion prospects, or reducing pay or hours.
An employer also is prohibited from disciplining an employee for requesting medical or first-aid treatment, or for following a physician’s orders, a physician’s treatment plan, or medical advice.
This protection is known as “whistle-blower protection,” and the federal law is enforced by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Complaints must be filed with OSHA within 180 days of the alleged employer retaliation.
Relief may include reinstatement with the same seniority and benefits, backpay with interest, compensatory damages (including witness and legal fees), and punitive damages as high as $250,000.
A rail employee may file the complaint directly with OSHA, or may contact a SMART-TD designated legal counsel, general chairperson or state legislative director for assistance.
A listing of Designated Legal Counsel is available here, or may be obtained from local or general committee officers or state legislative directors.
A more detailed OSHA fact sheet may be downloaded and printed here.
You first should talk over your predicament with your local chairperson. If you are unsure about who that is, your local officer information should come up when logging in to the Member Portal or the SMART app.
If you do not know your local number, call SMART TD headquarters at (216) 228-9400 and follow the prompts for either the TD Updating or Public Relations Department.
Your union has a database of cases available either through TD Connect or via the web. Either are accessible as resources through the Member Portal.
You may also visit the National Mediation Board’s “Knowledge Store”, a searchable database of awards and agreements.
Your union has a database of agreements available either through TD Connect or via the web. These are accessible as resources through the Member Portal.
Benefit questions
Resources for bus members (Member Portal login required)
Resources for rail members (Member Portal login required)
Miscellaneous questions
Visit the SMART Organizing Department website.
You also can get information from your local secretary or treasurer or email TDPAC@smart-union.org.
You would want to speak to your local treasurer. Your local officer information should come up when logging in to the Member Portal or the SMART app.
If you do not know your local number, call SMART TD headquarters at (216) 228-9400 and follow the prompts for either the TD Updating or Public Relations Department.
The Local Support Department is readily available to assist.
Your first stop should be to visit the Local Toolbox resource.
If you have a quick question that does not require an appointment, you can call/email the Help Desk and we’ll get back to you in the order in which your request is received. Call the Local Support Help Desk to leave a voicemail at 216-227-5444 or email fshelpdesk@group.smart-union.org.
When you contact the Help Desk, please leave a message that includes the following or make sure your email includes:
- Your name
- Your local number
- Your phone number
- Your reason for seeking help with as much detail as possible
- Your availability for an appointment or call back time.