St. Paul RTS Shatters Attendance Record While Building the Next Generation of Leaders

St. Paul, Minn. — June 2026

Another Regional Training Seminar (RTS) is in the books and once again, SMART-TD members proved that education is the greatest investment we can make in our union.

After gathering in St. Paul, Minn. last week, more than 330 local officers returned home with new skills, new ideas, and a renewed commitment to serving the members who elected them. In doing so, they broke the attendance record set just last year in Denver, Colo. The growth of our RTS program continues to show that SMART-TD officers understand that the stronger our leaders become, the stronger our union becomes.

A Challenge to Grow

SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson opened the seminar with a challenge.

He made it clear that the next few days would not be easy. He reminded attendees that they were not in the Twin Cities for a member-funded vacation away from the railroad or bus property. They were there to work.

President Ferguson encouraged every officer in the room to make the most of the opportunity before them. While rail carriers and transit agencies are constantly looking for new ways to challenge our members, our union must work just as hard to stay ahead. Every officer was challenged to expand their toolbox, sharpen their leadership skills, and become an even stronger advocate for the quality of life and fair treatment of our brothers and sisters.

Judging by the energy in every classroom throughout the week, our officers accepted that challenge.

Member Feedback Fuels the Fire

Members traveled from across the region and as far away as Oregon to take part in this learning opportunity. The old saying tells us that iron sharpens iron, and nowhere was that more evident than in St. Paul.

Our local officers continue to impress us with their creativity, determination, and relentless commitment to defending our membership. Every RTS reminds us that some of the best ideas in our organization come directly from the local officers who face challenges on the property every day.

The feedback our leadership team received throughout the week was invaluable and will help shape future training as we continue improving the program.

Education That Produces Results

Many of the attendees in St. Paul were participating in an RTS for the very first time. For some, the amount of information presented over three days was overwhelming. But every new officer also discovered something important. They were surrounded by experienced union leaders who were eager to share what works.

That exchange of ideas is one of the greatest strengths of the RTS program.

Throughout the week, officers learned how to build stronger discipline cases, improve appeal success, pass state and local safety legislation, properly manage local finances, and use SMART-TD’s new accounting software to ensure their locals remain in compliance with state, federal, and Department of Labor requirements.

Special attention was also given to strengthening the daily operations of our local unions, so they remain transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach.

Learning From the Best

Wednesday morning began with one of the week’s most valuable sessions as members of SMART-TD’s Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) delivered an extensive presentation on whistleblower protections.

Nearly a dozen experienced attorneys walked local officers through the process of filing whistleblower claims, common mistakes to avoid, and the best practices for protecting members who stand up for safety and the law.

Their presentation was followed by a Q&A session where the local officers were able to give specific examples of what had happened to their members and received real-time feedback on how to handle those situations.

It was another reminder that successful representation requires preparation, knowledge, and a willingness to keep learning.

Relevant Training for Today’s Challenges

One reason the RTS program continues to grow is that the curriculum never stands still. As the challenges facing our members evolve, so does our training.

This year’s Local President’s course focused heavily on conducting fair and proper local union elections. While election procedures are always important, the subject is especially timely because local unions across SMART-TD will hold elections in 2026 for Local Presidents, Local Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, Trustees, Local Chairpersons, Vice Local Chairpersons, and LCA Secretary.

Making sure every election is conducted fairly, transparently, and according to our union’s constitution protects both our members and SMART-TD. Every member deserves to know their voice is heard and given equal weight. SMART News will provide more information about upcoming local union elections in the next few weeks and months.

The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive, and this course will continue to be a major focus at the upcoming Baltimore Regional Training Seminar.

Looking Ahead to Baltimore

The momentum behind the Regional Training Seminar program has never been stronger.

The knowledge gained in St. Paul will strengthen representation in discipline hearings, improve legislative advocacy, help locals remain financially compliant and ultimately deliver better service to every SMART-TD member.

If you were unable to attend the St. Paul RTS, please make every effort to join us later this summer in Baltimore, Md.

Even if you have attended an RTS before, we encourage you to come back.

The curriculum continues to evolve every year to address today’s challenges, incorporate member feedback, and provide information that is immediately useful to local officers. No two seminars are exactly alike, and every RTS offers new tools that can make you a more effective union leader.

Our union has built an outstanding record of success before the National Mediation Board, in arbitration, in state legislatures, and at the bargaining table. That success is not an accident. It is the direct result of local officers who refuse to stop learning and refuse to settle for “good enough.”

Education strengthens representation. Representation protects our members. And together, we are building a stronger SMART-TD one local officer at a time.

We’ll see you in Baltimore!