The SMART difference

In SMART and across the labor movement, we talk a lot about the “union difference:” the difference in pay, benefits and quality of life between organized and unorganized workers.

The numbers tell a powerful story. On average, union members earn more money, have better health care and pension benefits, and enjoy a higher quality of life, regardless of industry.

But the union difference is more than data. It means something real to SMART members and our fami­lies. It doesn’t just show up in our paychecks; it provides security for our families and peace of mind that we can keep our spouses, children and grandchildren safe and healthy.

That difference does not happen by chance, and it is not something that was simply given to us. At SMART, under the leadership of General President Michael Coleman, we fight for the union difference every day.

Here is what that looks like in practice. General President Coleman works tirelessly to ensure our union does more than simply meet member expectations, and he expects the same level of commitment throughout SMART’s International staff. Guided by that principle, we do not accept contracts that merely keep pace with industry standards, and we are not satis­fied with elected officials who offer promises without results.

That means treating every dollar of members’ dues with the responsibility and accountability it deserves.

As your general secretary-trea­surer, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding members’ dues and ensuring those resources support the long-term strength and stability of our union.

Those dues help fund the orga­nizing efforts that bring more contractors and carriers into SMART, strengthening our union and increasing our leverage at the bargaining table.

Those dues help support our advo­cacy efforts, led by General President Coleman, before state, provincial and federal leaders across the United States and Canada — ensuring that the voices of SMART members are heard on issues that affect our jobs, our safety and our future.

And those dues help position our union for the future through targeted investments in the systems that power our work. Voyager modernizes local union membership management. TD Connect powers the daily operations of SMART-TD, helping our Transportation Division serve its locals and strengthening the union as a whole. And V-Connect, originally anticipated for next year, is ahead of schedule, with an incremental rollout beginning this fall. V-Connect will replace an outdated third-party system with a secure, modern solution for locals to transmit mission-critical resources directly to the International.

Under General President Coleman’s leadership, we continue making those investments in our future. At the same time, many chal­lenges remain outside our control, especially in government. When anti-labor forces attack workers’ rights and union protections, our union must often devote significant resources to defending the progress we have already made.

As we move closer to Election Day in the United States, let us keep the union difference in mind. Let us remember what that difference means for our jobs, our families and our future. And, as General President Coleman wrote on page 2, let us continue standing together as we work to secure that future for generations to come.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer