Category: Members Journal
RME Department reports on bad-faith negotiating tactics by the NCCC
Since November 2019, SMART members in the Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering Department on Class 1 freight railroads have been engaged in intense negotiations with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), a coalition of employers representing the railroads. Throu [...]
Tinnitus: What’s that ringing noise?
Have you ever left a concert, sporting event or jobsite with a high-pitched ringing in your ears? This is called tinnitus. Virtually everyone will experience some tinnitus from time to time throughout their life. Although it is usually the result of being around loud noises, [...]
Nine things we can do every day to create belonging in the workplace
In 2021, SMART, SMACNA and ITI came together to launch Belonging and Excellence for ALL (BE4All). BE4All is a bold, multi-year effort to transform the sheet metal industry, and to do this in two ways: 1) By creating work environments and jobsites that are welcoming to ALL wor [...]
April 28th proclaimed “A Day of Honor and Remembrance for Railroad Workers” in Kansas
Pictured in the governor’s office, left to right: Senator Carolyn McGinn (R); Mike Scheerer, LR Local 94; Troy Fansher, Local 1503; Governor Laura Kelly (seated); Nick Davis, Local 527; Ty Dragoo, SLD Kansas; Chad Henton, ASLD Kansas; Kyle Brooks, Local 1503. In late April, m [...]
Local 265’s Jim Trimby retires after 37 years
Jim Trimby (left) and Neal Dahlman. After 37 years of dues-paying SMART membership, Jim Trimby has decided it is time to put his hammer away. He is humbled that it is finally time for him to reap the benefits of his many years of service Trimby came to the trade by way of his [...]
Member Spotlight: Meet Ashley Deschenes
Ashley Deschenes has been with Kansas City’s Local 2 for six years, working at an architectural shop for the first three before moving to a specialty shop. Additionally, Ashley has spent the last two years working hard to grow her local’s Women’s Committee, where she was elec [...]
Members continue to protest rail shipper policies
Members of the SMART Transportation Division and other unionized rail workers came together for a day of protest on May 10 outside the North American Rail Shippers (NARS) annual meeting. Early in the day, SMART TD Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo, TD Auxiliary Pres [...]
Member Spotlight: Meet Stacy DeMonbrun
Stacy DeMonbrun – a journeyperson, instructor and recording secretary at SM Local 5 (East Tennessee and North Carolina) – has worked in the sheet metal trade for 30 years, where her leadership skills and unique perspective have made her a natural trailblazer. Read more about [...]