This will be the last opportunity this year for members to get protected. The last date for enrollment is Sept. 28 for an Oct. 1, 2023, effective date. Coverage highlights are detailed below:
SMART-TD VLTD
Protects members’ income if they cannot work due to injury, illness or surgery.
Tax-free benefits with no medical exams/questions required to enroll.
Up to $5,000 of monthly benefits for up to five years.
Benefits start paying after the SMART VSTD stops — 238 days for rail members and 365 days for bus members.
VLIFE
Members can elect up to $250,000 with no medical exams/questions required.
Benefits double in the event of an accidental death.
Enrollees receive 24/7 on- and off-the-job protection.
Due to the strong health of the program and positive claims experiences reported, trustees have elected to take the measure of eliminating the graduated duration of coverage (benefit days) structure of the program that had been based on the participants active months in the plan.
This means that, beginning Aug. 1, all enrollees in DIPP, new and continuing, regardless of their period of participation (months), will receive 365-day coverage for covered incidents. It should be noted that any claims with an incident date prior to Aug. 1 will be paid out under the plan rules prior to this change.
Additionally, participants electing to increase their benefit level no longer need to wait 12 months from their last increase. Increases are now effective on the first day of the month following 90 days after the increase is received by the DIPP office.
This improvement, paired with the 25-cent reduction in assessments announced in May, is another reason why the SMART DIPP leads the way in providing value and protection to its membership and the nation’s largest rail labor union.
SMART DIPP Trustees are General President Michael Coleman, General Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Powell and SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson.
Registration has opened for SMART Transportation Division’s Regional Training Seminar (RTS) to take place Oct. 3 through 6, 2023, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Toledo, Ohio.
Attendee check-in begins the morning of Oct 3, and those attending should plan to arrive then. Classes and workshops kick off the morning of Oct. 4.
Attending an RTS is an exciting opportunity for local leadership and members to engage one on one with union experts to help fulfill the need for live, in-person training from local leaders closer to home.
The cost for TD members to register to attend the seminar is $50.
The RTS includes classes for local governance, roles of a local president, secretary & treasurer, legislative representatives and local chairpersons in protecting members and on the SMART Constitution, among others.
The classes are taught by national officers and other subject matter experts associated with SMART-TD.
TD President Jeremy Ferguson and other union leaders are scheduled to appear to answer membership questions. To register for the seminar, visit https://register.smart-union.org/.
The deadline to register to attend is Saturday, Sept. 30.
Please note: Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations.
A room block has been reserved at the site of the meeting, the Hilton Garden Inn, 101 N. Summit St., in Toledo. The SMART TD event rate is $129 per night with the hotel reservation deadline Saturday, September 2, 2023.
SMART Transportation Division-represented members from Local 1626 (Anchorage, Alaska) on the White Pass and Yukon Route will begin electronic voting tonight on whether to authorize a strike against the carrier.
Negotiations with the tourist railroad have been open since the expiration of the last labor contract in late 2017.
In an interview with the Whitehorse Daily Star, SMART-TD General Chairperson Jason Guiler (GCA-WPY) said that the carrier is seeking to increase the burden of health care costs onto workers as well as reducing the number of operating crew members.
He told the newspaper that ticket prices have increased by $27 per ticket since 2017 to an average of $152 per ticket and the carrier is expected to transport some 600,000 passengers this year.
As set forth by the Railway Labor Act, if a strike is authorized by members after the three-day voting period, a National Mediation Board mediator will then determine whether to release workers from mediation. If mediation is concluded and a strike authorized, a proffer of arbitration would then happen.
If arbitration is rejected by either the union or carrier, it would begin a 30-day cooling-off period before a strike could occur.
White Pass and Yukon operates as a Class III narrow line from Skagway, Alaska, to Carcross in the Yukon Territory and is the largest employer in Skagway.
If you find yourself in a crisis situation, the SMART Members Assistance Program (MAP) is available to help. Please call 877-884-6227 for free and confidential assistance. Your employer also may have an in-house employee assistance program (EAP) available.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023, is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day in the United States. Until personally impacted, I had always believed that PTSD was reserved for the men and women who had served in the military and that it was a symptom that only those who had seen combat were capable of getting. I was wrong.
Working in the transportation industry can be and often is a stress-filled lifestyle. This is especially true for those of us who are unfortunate enough to have had a critical incident (CI). I’ve been involved in not one but two in my career as a railroad conductor and engineer. Both CIs in my career have been suicides.
Yet such incidents are not limited to people working freight rail. Our bus and transit members deal with road and rail accidents themselves whether it be with another vehicle or a pedestrian. There’s no shortage of headlines in our union’s daily news emails talking about people doing their jobs who are then subjected to unexpected violence by a passenger or even a stranger. While the medical treatment may be completed, the psychological effects of these incidents can linger long after.
In the two Cis I’ve experienced, the train I was conducting was traveling too fast for anyone to have reacted to prevent the incident. Both times, it was a matter of how the crew would cope in the aftermath, rather than if it was going to occur. And in both circumstances, I told myself that logically it wasn’t my fault and that I was fine.
On that last point, I was very wrong.
The carrier I work for has a good Federal Railroad Administration-mandated Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and in both circumstances, I was contacted and asked how I was doing. Both times I told them that I was doing just fine and that I was more worried about my engineer or in one case my trainee. I wasn’t lying to these EAP representatives. I truly believed I was OK. The truth of the matter is that everyone processes these events differently. I was actually looking forward to getting on my next train following those incidents and getting those situations behind me.
Over time, the repercussions of what I had witnessed made themselves more evident. What I had not realized is that I was affected and that it changed my personality. The best way I can describe my situation pre-PTSD diagnosis is that my fuse had been cut very short. It did not take much to set me off. I had become temperamental and volatile at work and at home.
Back on the road working, I had plenty of time alone with my thoughts. Hotel rooms at the away-from-home terminal began to feel more like prison cells than anything. While there, I wanted to get home, and when I was at home, I was more anxious than ever before about when I was going to get called back to work. In essence, I was no longer comfortable in my own skin and was always looking for the exits.
Drinking became a part of my everyday routine. What I realize now is that my anxiety about getting to either end of the railroad was that my reward was 10 hours that I could drink myself numb. I was running from something, but unaware that I was doing it.
Eventually, this caught up to me. I was second out in the hotel, and as I was going to bed, my phone rang with a surprise call to work. The crew that had been first out caught a break and got an unlikely deadhead home. As a result, I got called in significantly earlier than I had calculated. When I got to the terminal I failed a random pre-trip blow-and-go sobriety test.
It was the wake-up call I needed.
As part of the path back to reinstatement, I needed to meet with a drug and alcohol counselor. Through my conversation with this man at a coffee shop, the two suicides came up in conversation. My counselor was intrigued by that situation and asked a couple of follow-up questions. When he diagnosed me with PTSD, I was confused, and ironically pissed off. I told him that I disagreed with his point of view.
At an appointment with my regular family doctor, he asked how things were going at work and I came clean about my suspension. I told him about having to go to a substance counselor. When he asked how that was going, I told him that I didn’t like the guy because “he thinks I’m crazy.” After telling him about the situation, my doctor confirmed that he also was diagnosing me with PTSD.
Since I’d been slapped in the face with this twice now, I did some research on the topic. As it turns out my “short fuse” volatility, anxiety and the spike in drinking checked a lot of the boxes for PTSD. The tendencies that I thought were just me being an old, grizzled railroader turned out to be a diagnosable psychological problem.
What’s more important than being diagnosable, is that PTSD is also treatable. I have started to see a psychiatrist, and my goals have changed. Now I try to get better and heal rather than just subconsciously trying to numb myself and run out the clock until I can do it again.
I am writing this to encourage as many of our members as possible not to feed into the idea that we aren’t supposed to be affected by what we see on the job or the lifestyle we live working in the transportation industry. PTSD is a real thing. We have all discussed the need to defend our quality of life. At its root that is what I’m asking you to consider.
Our lives are dictated by our work assignments. That won’t change any time soon. What can change is that you can stop “sucking it up” and living with the anxiety of PTSD. If you have had a critical incident on the job and now live with heightened anxiety, or you sometimes surprise yourself with how harsh the things you say and do are or feel like a third-party observer with no control over your own reactions, please take it from a colleague who has been where you are.
It is difficult to swallow our pride and admit that you might be struggling to work through PTSD. It sure was for me. But I’m glad I was forced to deal with it, and I hope we all can use this June 27th’s PTSD Awareness Day as a point to reflect on how you might be coping with any CI you may have experienced.
If any of this sounds familiar and makes you as uncomfortable as I was when diagnosed, I personally ask that you use the links below to look into the services that are available to help.
For railroad members, the plans are designed to provide financial protection during lengthy RRB occupational disability or FELA case resolutions. For all members, these plans underwritten by Sun Life are available exclusively for full dues-paying members of SMART-TD and offer comprehensive coverage for our members.
Effective from August 1st, 2023, all members are guaranteed VLTD and VLIFE coverage, regardless of their medical condition.
Here are the key features and benefits of each plan for bus and rail members, respectively:
Bus members
Railroad members
Voluntary Long-Term Disability (VLTD) benefits
Voluntary Long-Term Disability (VLTD) benefits
• $5,000 disability coverage enrollment without the need to answer medical questions. • Up to 5 years of tax-free benefits. • 24/7 coverage for covered injuries, illnesses, and surgeries. • Coverage for pre-existing conditions after one year of continuous enrollment. Benefits begin after a 365-day elimination period.
• $5,000 disability coverage enrollment without the need to answer medical questions. • Up to 5 years of tax-free benefits to support you during extended periods of disability. • 24/7 coverage for covered injuries, illnesses, and surgeries. • Coverage for pre-existing conditions after one year of continuous enrollment. • Benefits begin after a 238-day elimination period. • No repayment of VLTD benefits for FELA injury settlements.
Voluntary Group Life (VLIFE) features
Voluntary Group Life (VLIFE) features
• Guaranteed life insurance amounts up to $250,000 for members, $50,000 for spouses, and $10,000 for dependents under 26. • Equivalent Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage, with the amount doubled for accidental death.
• Guaranteed life insurance amounts up to $250,000 for members, $50,000 for spouses, and $10,000 for dependents under 26. • Equivalent Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage, with the amount doubled for accidental death.
In addition to the VLTD and VLIFE plans, SMART-TD also offers extra protection options through UTUIA (United Transportation Union Insurance Association), effective from September 1st, 2023. These options include Cancer Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance and Accident and Hospital Indemnity Insurance.
To enroll in the SMART-TD VLTD plan, please visit www.smart-vltd.com. If you require any assistance during the enrollment process, you can reach our dedicated Customer Service Center at (224) 770-5328.
Please note that only members who are not currently participating in the SMART-TD VLTD plan are eligible to enroll at this time. Members who are already enrolled will have an opportunity to enroll at a later date.
It’s important for interested members to review the complete details and terms of the plans to make an informed decision about their coverage. This first open enrollment period ends on July 27, 2023.
In today’s world, it’s important for the union to keep current and accurate information so members can stay informed on things that are important to them. This can be accomplished through the SMART mobile app, via the SMART Member Portal on the SMART website or the old-fashioned way — by just letting your TD Local secretary know.
It’s no secret that we and the carriers do not often see eye to eye, and there is a false narrative out there that we openly share member/employee information with each other. Carriers have zero obligation to voluntarily share any change in your personal information with your union, including your job craft. Even in this age of easy communication, maintaining good labor relations isn’t the strong suit of many carriers, and that includes notifying the union when one of our members has moved, changed contact information or have changed craft roles at work, for example, holding dual certification as a conductor/engineer.
A feature has been added in the SMART app and the SMART website’s Member Portal so members can more accurately update their info with the union. It’s important to fulfill that SMART constitutional duty (Article 21B, Section 49) by keeping your contact info (address, phone number and email) as well as your emergency contact info, work craft and military service record current. To avoid missing out on important notices and to make your union one member stronger please use the app, website or contact your local leadership to ensure that your union has the most accurate information. Together we are stronger!
The SMART Union app is available by texting the word APP to 67336 or for download on Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
Sara Youngdahl, managing partner of The Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C. in Houston, Texas, has been appointed by SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson to serve as Coordinator of SMART’s Designated Legal Counsel. Ms. Youngdahl is the only woman in the United States designated as legal counsel for a rail union. Ms. Youngdahl also serves on the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (ARLA) Board of Managers.
Sara Youngdahl
Ms. Youngdahl has been representing railroad workers in Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and Federal Rail Safety Act (FRSA)(OSHA Whistleblower) cases for nearly 25 years. Ms. Youngdahl has handled hundreds of cases on behalf of railroad workers and their families who were injured or tragically suffered death on the job. She has also fought for railroaders who have been retaliated against for reporting railroad safety violations, personal injuries, and those who have been denied medical treatment.
Ms. Youngdahl comes from a family of union organizers and lawyers representing working people all over the country. Dedication to values such as fair wages, the right to organize, equal access to justice, and the notion that railroads must honor their legal and ethical obligations has been the cornerstone of Ms. Youngdahl’s practice.
Ms. Youngdahl has been designated counsel for SMART for nearly 20 years, and looks forward to serving as SMART DLC coordinator.
On this Memorial Day, let us reflect on and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our great nation. Their willingness to voluntarily face hardships where others cannot or will not is a testament to their character. We would not be the country we are today or enjoy the freedoms we have without these men and women.
Members of SMART-TD visit the grave of Troy J. Jordan, who was killed in a railroad accident in September 2015.
As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I view this holiday with great reverence and respect. SMART-TD would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to members of the military, and their supporting affiliates — those on active duty, those who have retired and those who are no longer with us.
Their sacrifices must not go unnoticed nor be forgotten.
As we all celebrate this Memorial Day, please take a moment to reflect on the holiday’s true meaning. Keep their memories and teachings close to you always and be thankful for those who continue to endure these duties today.
As a reminder, our union has many resources for veterans available — please see the links below. As we continue into June, which is PTSD awareness month (National PTSD Awareness Day is Tuesday, June 27), be sure to take care of yourselves and seek out help or support if you need it. More information about PTSD and treatment options are available here.
If you are suffering from PTSD and think you may hurt yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to reach a trained counselor. Use that same number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
As kids all over the world know, railroaders tend to work “all the live-long day.” This is baked into the cake and explained at hiring sessions of all the major railroads, but the hours-of-service (HOS) laws in place say, in no uncertain terms, that 12 hours is the extent of how long rail workers are supposed to be on duty.
The first time the federal government limited the consecutive hours at work on a train or asset(s) for a railroad transportation employee was in 1907 when they set the mark at 16 hours. It has since evolved into the 12 hours that all of us in railroading are familiar with today.
Though the intention of the HOS laws is that a rail crew is supposed to be entirely relieved of duty by the 12-hour mark and on their way home or to away-from-home lodging, we all know that is not how it plays out. Often, crews stop their train at the 12-hour mark and spend additional hours waiting on a recrew or transport.
The carriers expect their transportation employees to skirt these federal laws. When crew members mark off time tickets, there is a mechanism to report to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that HOS have been exceeded. Unfortunately, self-reporting these violations to the carriers and FRA has not changed the reality on the ground.
SMART-TD’s National Legislative Department is asking for all rail members to help us bring this quality-of-life issue into a better light.
In the spirit of being user-friendly, the Technology Event and Safety Condition Reports that are available on the app have been streamlined as well. All three are pivotal to SMART-TD’s ability to represent you in the manner you deserve and they play a large role in our government affairs strategy.
The information we are trying to gather will only be effective if we consistently hear from our outlawed crews across all carriers about HOS violations. Please make your voice known and help us represent your interests in the halls of Congress and to hold carriers accountable now, and into the future.
Information gathered on the SMART website and via any links on the SMART app is solely visible to SMART-TD and the details on the forms we receive (including the names of who reported) will not be given to carriers.
PLEASE be a part of the solution to this problem. SMART-TD looks forward to working with you to help bring this abuse to an end.
