SMART-TD Union Announces the Passage of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness Act (REEF)

For more information, please contact:
SMART-TD Communications Team
Phone: (330) 322-5949
Email: dbanks@smart-union.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“Railroad workers not only sell their labor, they sacrifice more than most to care for themselves and their families. It is through their hard work and efforts that railroad retirement is funded, which is why it is so rewarding to see the senseless reductions from sequestration finally lifted. In this process of advocating for REEF, our brothers and sisters have proven that they are willing to stand in solidarity to put up a fight. I couldn’t be prouder of our members for their tenacity to win back not just what was earned – but what is deserved.” Jared Cassity, SMART-TD Deputy Director National Safety and Legislative Department

SMART-TD Union Celebrates the Passage of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After more than four years of tireless effort and advocacy, the SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) is proud to announce the successful passage of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act. This historic legislation, introduced in both the House and Senate, will permanently exempt Railroad Unemployment Insurance benefits from sequestration, ending a 5.7% reduction that railroaders have unfairly borne for years. In simple terms, this bill will end the outdated tax of $50 every two weeks on railroaders drawing unemployment benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.

The REEF Act, officially titled S. 1274, rights a longstanding wrong that has disproportionately impacted railroad workers, particularly those who find themselves furloughed or medically unable to work. These workers, many of whom already face significant financial hardship when transitioning from regular railroad wages to the modest $450 every two weeks provided by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), were subjected to sequestration that further reduced this already limited benefit.

“For most Americans, a $50 cut may seem insignificant, but to a railroader relying on a fixed benefit, it’s a financial crisis,” said Greg Hynes, SMART-TD National Safety and Legislative Director. “After years of fighting this injustice, the REEF Act’s passage is proof that persistence pays off. The work we’ve done on Capitol Hill to secure this victory is worth every ounce of effort and all the shoe leather we left on the steps of the House and Senate buildings.”

The process to get this bill over the line was not easy. It took consistent advocacy, relentless lobbying, and cooperation across party lines. SMART-TD’s Greg Hynes and Jared Cassity, who collectively bring decades of experience from BNSF and CSX respectively, led the charge, ensuring that Congress understood the gravity of the situation faced by railroad workers.

“We understand the struggle because we’ve lived it. We know how much that small cut impacts an out-of-work railroader’s ability to make ends meet,” said Jared Cassity, Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director. “This legislation is a direct result of the tireless advocacy of our members, who took the time to speak out, engage with lawmakers, and apply pressure at every step.” Cassity went on to say, “Railroad workers not only sell their labor, they sacrifice more than most to care for themselves and their families. It is through their hard work and efforts that railroad retirement is funded, which is why it is so rewarding to see the senseless reductions from sequestration finally lifted. In this process of advocating for REEF, our brothers and sisters have proven that they are willing to stand in solidarity to put up a fight. I couldn’t be prouder of our members for their tenacity to win back not just what was earned – but what is deserved.”

Although this $50 reduction may seem small to a member of Congress unfamiliar with the realities of life on the railroad, to those affected, it represents a significant financial burden. For years, the railroad industry’s most vulnerable workers – those most in need of support – have borne this unfair tax. The passage of the REEF Act is a monumental step in righting that wrong. SMART-TD wants to thank all of the Senators and Representatives for their support and sponsorship of this important legislation, with special acknowledgment of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) for being the lead sponsor in the Senate and continuing to see this legislation through to the end. SMART-TD is proud to have endorsed Deb Fisher in her 2024 re-election win and was the only rail labor organization to have stood with her.

“SMART-TD members have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us every step of the way, from rallies to calls to Congressional offices. This victory belongs to every one of our members who answered the call and fought to make sure their voices were heard,” said Hynes. “It is because of their engagement, their commitment, and their perseverance that we’ve been able to secure this long-overdue relief.”

The REEF Act is a powerful reminder of what is possible when unions, lawmakers, and working people come together to fight for fairness. SMART-TD extends its deepest thanks to all of the sponsors and cosponsors who supported this bill, as well as the thousands of SMART-TD members who stood united throughout the process.

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If you’re interested in speaking more about the legislation, we’d be happy to connect you with: 

SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson  

President Jeremy Ferguson, a member of Local 313 in Grand Rapids, Mich., was elected president of SMART’s Transportation Division in 2019.  

President Ferguson, an Army veteran, started railroading in 1994 as a conductor on CSX at Grand Rapids, Mich. and was promoted to engineer in 1995. Ferguson headed the recent national rail negotiations for the Union with the nation’s rail carriers. 

SMART-TD’s National Safety and Legislative Director, Gregory Hynes 

Greg Hynes is a fifth-generation railroader and was elected national legislative director in 2019. 

Hynes served on the SMART Transportation Division National Safety Team that assists the National Transportation Safety Board with accident investigations, from 2007 – 2014.  

In 2014, he was appointed to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), which develops new railroad regulatory standards.  

Hynes was appointed the first chairperson of the UTU Rail Safety Task Force in 2009 and served in that capacity until being elected SMART Transportation Division alternate national legislative director at the Transportation Division’s 2014 convention. 

About SMART-TD

The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers—Transportation Division (SMART-TD), also known as the SMART-TD Railroad Union, is the largest rail union in North America, representing more than 100,000 workers. We fight for the rights of our members, ensuring that they receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and the benefits they deserve. Our union is committed to standing up for all railroad workers and ensuring that their voices are heard in Washington, D.C.