SMART-TD Secures 3% COLA Increase for Union Pacific Members Amid Ongoing Negotiations

In the middle of tough contract talks that have lasted seven months thus far, Union Pacific came directly to our negotiating team and offered a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and asked for nothing in return.  

This raise, effective September 1, 2025 for SMART-TD members, reinforces the momentum our negotiating team has earned during the ongoing talks. The union gave up no contract terms or bargaining chips to secure this pay increase. It is a true gain for SMART-TD members and a strong indicator that SMART-TD is turning up the pressure at the bargaining table. 

“Money in Our Members’ Pockets” 

As Brother Chelette told SMART News “This is better than getting the same 3% down the road and having it be retroactive. This way, the money is in our members’ pockets instead of letting UP sit on it and letting them collect interest on our money.” 

This kind of movement shows that we’re not just holding the line. We’re gaining ground. 

A Raise and a Clean Slate on Claims 

The COLA increase isn’t the only good news.  

Along with the 3% raise, UP met with each SMART-TD General Committee and worked to resolve a large backlog of outstanding time claims.  

“As of today, every time claim that reached my desk has been settled,” said GCA-927 General Chairperson Scott Chelette.  

This is a huge win for our members, who often wait months or years to hear back about their claims even when they’ve done everything right. Now, after strong work by our committees, these claims are finally resolved and members are getting the pay they deserve. 

The Delay: BLE-T’s Missed Opportunity

Union Pacific made the joint offer to both SMART-TD and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLE-T) three months ago. SMART-TD leadership acted quickly to secure the offer while BLE-T hesitated.  

General Chairpersons Chelette (GCA-927), Luke Edington (GCA-953), Joe Cornelius (GCA-569), Todd Campbell (GCA-887), and Roy Davis (GCA-577) took the proposal to SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson who saw it for what it was: a win-win. 

President Ferguson instructed our General Chairpersons to poll all Local Chairs across UP to verify their view of the offer. Their feedback came in swiftly and clearly: “Yes.” With strong backing from our local leadership, SMART-TD accepted the offer. This is how SMART-TD demonstrates strong leadership and efficient member communication, which empowers the union to take decisive action for the good of our members whenever opportunities present themselves. 

BLE-T stalled for three weeks. Eventually their leadership decided that none of them would take responsibility for the decision. They eventually launched a full member poll last week, with a voting deadline of Friday, August 8.  

The result? SMART-TD’s UP members lost a full month’s wages at the new rate, as BLE-T’s fumbling pushed the effective date from August to September 1. 

BLE-T’s failure to act quickly pushed everyone’s raise back by a month. That’s not leadership. That’s dead weight. 

A Strong First Step with Momentum Behind Us 

This 3% increase and the resolution of time claims are just the beginning. 

Our General Committees and General Chairpersons are focused, aggressive, and gaining traction. SMART-TD is not just holding steady in negotiations. We’re winning. 

We will continue to push forward until we reach a long-term agreement that recognizes our members’ dedication and rewards them with the pay, protections, and future they deserve. 

Stay strong. Stay engaged and keep your eye out for future developments in these contract negotiations.