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The largest railroad union in North America scores another win for their members, this time as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs four bills into law on the final day of the 2024 legislative session.

Minnesota State Legislative Director (SLD) Nick Katich and the State Legislative Board worked tirelessly to provide a 12-hour cap on yardmaster shifts, new insurance requirements and a complaint procedure for crew van services, and a state-run review of wayside detector operations.

“The 2023-24 Minnesota legislative biennium has been quite the ride. We passed 2PC last year and now are bringing more wins to the members,” SLD Katich said.

The SMART Transportation Division’s Minnesota State Legislative Board

Yardmasters protected from double shifts

This groundbreaking law defines new hours-of-service rules (HOS) that limit a yardmaster’s shift to 12 hours. Similar rules already protect conductors and engineers from overwork.

SMART-TD is pursuing this goal in multiple states, with an eye toward a national policy. Hats off to the Minnesota Legislative Board for being the first to get the job done.

This win protects railroaders throughout Minnesota as the yardmaster is at the center of everything that happens in a railyard. Due to investor-lead business practices, yardmasters have been forced to cover multiple yards remotely, and work up to 16 hour shifts. When working conditions become more stressful and include longer shifts, everyone’s job is less safe. This law will allow the overworked yardmasters to gain much needed rest which in turn can potentially save lives.

Double insurance requirements for contracted cab companies

SLD Katich and Minnesota’s legislative board assisted in getting the Crew Van Law passed which doubles the amount of uninsured/underinsured coverage to $2 million. It also creates a complaint process that is sent directly to the Minnesota Department of Transportation Rail Safety Office for crews regarding cabs hired by the railroad. MNDOT will investigate the complaints and enforce any penalties. This law will give our crews more control over their safety while being transported by outside cab companies.

State to examine wayside detectors

A third legislative victory mandates MNDOT to study the technologies and inspection practices of railroad wayside detectors. The study will support future legislation intended to protect all Minnesota residents from derailments and other unsafe railroad operations.

Finally, Minnesota’s legislative board passed legislation that helps railroad police officers uphold the law and investigate accidents without the influence of railroad managers.

Big support from legislators got things done

This was only possible because of the work put in by everyone involved and our friends in the legislature. Sen. Rob Kupec, Rep. Jeff Brand, and Sen. Jennifer McEwen carried our bills and represented our interests with diligence and passion. The chairs of Senate and House transportation committees, Sen. D. Scott Dibble and Rep. Frank Hornstein, have been tireless advocates for rail and worker safety, proving their dedication to doing what is right. These legislators are WITH US. The new laws would not have been possible without the work and support of the State Legislative Board and all the members who contacted their legislators.

Katich is ready to recalibrate the board’s focus until lobbying season begins again.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the local meetings and reconnecting with everyone,” said Katich. “It’s been very hectic, and I am eternally grateful for the unwavering support the membership has shown me.”

Former Arkansas State Legislative Director Donald R. Beavers, who served multiple terms leading the state’s legislative board spanning 21 years, passed away May 19, 2024, at the age of 81.

Donald Beavers served multiple terms as the Arkansas state legislative director.

Beavers began his railroading career as a brakeman with the Missouri Pacific in 1962. He was later promoted to conductor.

He served in that capacity for more than 17 years before being elected to the office of the United Transportation Union’s Arkansas legislative director.

A member of Local 656 in North Little Rock, he noted that he was the UTU’s youngest legislative director at the time of his election and retired as the senior member in 2000.

Brother Beavers was honored with a well-attended ceremony for his decades of service to the union upon his retirement in October 2000, receiving recognition from both union leadership and then-President Bill Clinton.

His engagement in labor matters extended beyond our union. Brother Beavers also was elected secretary/treasurer of the state AFL-CIO, appointed to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and served as chairman of the North Little Rock Civil Service Commission.  

He was past president of the Arkansas Association of Lobbyists and active in politics representing Arkansas as National Democratic Committeeman.

He served as a delegate to six Democratic National Conventions and a proud Arkansas Traveler for Clinton, having been connected to the president since Clinton’s start in state politics in the 1970s.

Brother Beavers is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Frances, two sons and four grandchildren.

The SMART Transportation Division expresses its condolences to Brother Beavers’ family, friends, his union brothers and sisters and all who knew him.

Daily headlines about new railroad safety laws make it feel like every day is “Railroad Day on the Hill.” However, the formal event falls once a year on the legislative calendar, where rail union representatives share the many issues that face our industry with legislators in D.C.

Thirty-eight men and women represented SMART Transportation Division, the nation’s largest railroad union. They spread the gospel of the Railway Safety Act, the need for shorter trains, increased quality of life and our call for better safety inspections of rolling stock.

The SMART delegation represented 20 different states and held 130 meetings with any Congress member or staffer willing to listen throughout the day.

The event was organized by National Legislative Director Greg Hynes, Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity and Legislative Department Chief of Staff Jenny Miller. The Legislative Department invited 13 other unions to participate in Railroad Day on the Hill.

President Jeremy Ferguson, multiple vice presidents, state legislative directors, alternate state legislative directors, general chairpersons, local legislative reps and state legislative vice chairs from across the country all were present.

Ohio senators support Railway Safety Act, REEF Act

Senator Warnock and his staff hosted a Constituent Coffee at the Capitol, in Washington, DC on May 1, 2024. (Official U.S. Senate photo by Renee Bouchard)

SMART-TD representatives started with a breakfast with Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio. Vance has proven himself to be a champion for rail safety and is the lead sponsor of the Railway Safety Act.  Transportation Division representatives discussed ways our union could help rally support for the RSA and the REEF Act.

The REEF Act is a bipartisan bill that will end an out-of-date tax on Railroad Retirement Board benefits awarded to rail employees who are furloughed or medically out of service.

Vance and fellow Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown are with us and continue to strategize with SMART-TD on ways to build support for the RSA and REEF Acts.

America’s largest railroad union leaves a lasting impression

Following the successes of the day’s events, NLD Hynes expressed his gratitude to the army of SMART-TD leaders who made the trip.

“These men and women went above and beyond the call of duty to be here today. Because of them, we had a fantastic show of force in the halls of Congress. The validity of our issues speaks for itself, but when leaders from these different states show up to meet with their congressional and senate delegations, it makes an impact on these lawmakers,” he said. “They hear from Jared Cassity and me all the time, but when someone from home comes to meet with them in D.C., it puts a face to our issues in a unique way.

“I want to thank each one of them for making the effort to come out this year. With your help, we will deliver on the promise of the Railway Safety Act, the REEF Act, and all the issues that speak to the quality of life our members deserve and the dignity of the work they do each day.”

The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department coalition, of which the SMART-MD and SMART-TD are part, sent the following letter to Congress in conjunction with rail industry representatives on May 21:

The Honorable Robert Aderholt
Chair
Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies 
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Rosa DeLauro
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations 
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Tammy Baldwin
Chair
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chair Aderholt, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Baldwin, and Ranking Member Capito:

On behalf of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), the Association of American Railroads (AAR), and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), we write to express our strong support for the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB’s) Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) request for $172.331 million in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill. 

Over the last several years, RRB has faced many challenges, including a severe staffing shortage and an ongoing, complex Information Technology (IT) modernization effort, while navigating the high demand for benefits and assistance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have been exacerbated by the $2 million cut in funding Congress passed last year in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor-HHS appropriations bill. The impact of these budget cuts is already being seen. For example, 25 percent of RRB’s current employees will be eligible for retirement within the next year, but due to limited funding, RRB has been unable to replace those employees. These shortages have led to major backlogs in work and decreases in service to railroad retirees and workers. 

We have appreciated Congress’ past support for RRB’s efforts to modernize IT programs and improve the Board’s ability to pay benefits and maintain program integrity.  Unfortunately, this dedicated funding will be depleted by the end of FY24, though more work remains.  

For these reasons, RRB has requested $172.331 million in funding for FY25, $38.331 million above the President’s FY25 request. Of that funding, $28.331 million would be used to hire and retain the 880 full-time employees necessary to sustain operations and meet the Board’s core mission of paying the right benefits to the right people in the right amount at the right time. The remaining $10 million would allow RRB to continue making progress on its IT modernization effort, which Congress has supported in the past to improve program integrity. A more detailed explanation of RRB’s request is attached to this letter. 

It is important to note that RRB’s funding structure is unique in that railroad employer and employee contributions are held in trust funds not only to pay railroad benefits, but also to support RRB operations. Enacted appropriations language simply authorizes the RRB to access their own available funds in the railroad retirement trust fund system for the agency’s administrative budget, rather than drawing from the general pot of taxpayer funds. In effect, rail labor and management are funding the agency’s operations. They pay into the trust so that when their earned benefits are needed, the RRB is there to timely process applications and provide the customer service they deserve. We ask that you allow the agency to receive the funding it requests so that it can fully meet the needs of the railroad community.

We urge you to fund RRB at the requested $172.331 million to allow the agency to hire and retain the necessary employees and continue essential IT modernization. This funding level will ensure the Board continues to effectively serve the over 560,000 railroad employees and retirees and their families who rely on these benefits. 

Sincerely, 

Ian Jefferies
President and CEO
Association of American Railroads

Chuck Baker
President
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

Greg Regan
President
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO

You see headlines celebrating new laws, and receive our union’s messages asking for letters to our elected officials, but how does your advocacy lead to new laws? Here’s how the pieces fit together.

EAST PALESTINE AND THE RAIL SAFETY ACT

After the Feb 3rd, 2023, derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the Rail Safety Act was introduced in Congress. The act will regulate safety issues like train lengths, blocked crossings, and protect the FRA’s minimum crew size rule.

But federal laws often follow states’ examples. To protect everyone, we begin in each state, each with its own challenges and opportunities.

Here’s how it worked in Colorado.

It took a well-coordinated effort by SMART-TD and many other groups in order to get the Colorado rail safety bill across the finish line.

NEW LAWS TAKE HARD WORK AND OLD FRIENDS

Colorado’s State Legislative Director Carl Smith has lobbied for SMART-TD in the statehouse for years. The first step for Smith and the state legislative board was to draft a new bill. As part of SMART’s national network, he could put a Colorado twist on similar legislation from other states.

Even with the attention brought by East Palestine, Smith knew getting his bill passed would be a challenge. The 2023 legislature was mid-session, with little time left for debate and amendments. He met with the leaders of both the House and Senate to make his case, convincing Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno to sponsor the bill.

With Moreno’s support, Smith began refining the bill with industry and other key stakeholders. Creating a law that worked for everyone complicated things. As the clock started to run out on the 2023 session, Moreno recommended that Smith refine it over the summer, then reintroduce the bill.

SMART-TD BUILDS A COALITION

With more time to organize, SLD Smith was able to recruit others to his cause. As a member of the AFL-CIO Colorado Executive Board, Smith negotiated their support. Smith also connected with an old friend, the director of the Blue/Green Alliance, who signed on as an ally. Both organizations would provide invaluable lobbying muscle and research support.

BNSF’S TRAP: DEATH BY COMMITTEE

Over the summer, Smith developed the bill with advice from the Joint Transportation Legislation Review Committee. He learned that bills championed by this group are considered an easy win in the legislature, as members of both houses in the committee essentially preapprove the bills chosen to adopt.

Good news: By the end of summer, the committee had agreed to take up Smith’s rail safety bill.

Bad news: BNSF lobbyists, working behind the scenes, had manipulated the advice given to Smith. Instead of a sure thing, our bill would compete with a dozen other initiatives — things like free bus passes for schoolchildren or funding for repairs for neglected rural highways. The committee would only adopt five bills and BNSF was sure ours wouldn’t make the cut.

SMART-TD MEMBERS TIP THE BALANCE

BNSF underestimated our influence. Smith’s coalition continued lobbying the committee to select our bill, but it needed an extra push. The leader of the group, Rep. Ty Winter (R), represents the district with the largest number of active and retired SMART-TD members in the state. SLD Smith called for support, and our members rose to the occasion. As calls and letters rolled in, Winters realized his voters were paying attention and wanted the new law. He came around.

A LETHAL BNSF DERAILMENT CLOSES A COLORADO INTERSTATE. OUR BILL MOVES FORWARD

President Biden and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were planning an unrelated speech in Pueblo, Colorado, just as the main road into the town was closed to clean up a BNSF derailment. The accident, with fatal results on the interstate below, reminded all that railroads deserve closer scrutiny.

The derailment happened Oct. 15, 2023. By the 23rd our bill, now known as House Bill 24-1030, had been selected for the 2024 legislative session.

GAME ON: SMITH EXPANDS HIS COALITION

With the AFL-CIO and the Blue/Green Alliance aboard, Smith began to assemble a larger coalition.

Friends from the Coalition of Professional Firefighters, American Federation of Teachers, Colorado Education Association and SMART Sheet Metal Local 9 joined. Smith also made a case to his contacts in Colorado’s powerful community of environmental groups. Conservation Colorado, the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Trout Unlimited and Green Latinos all agreed to back the cause.

While many of these organizations resist efforts to expand oil and coal production or to lay track through Colorado’s pristine wilderness, they are powerful allies in the fight for safer rail operations. They supported SMART-TD’s bill, then spread the word as momentum grew.

THE WHEELS OF GOVERNMENT TURN SLOWLY

H.B. 24-1030 was among the first bills accepted in the 2024 session, and one of the last to make it to Gov. Polis. Along the way Smith helped the bill through multiple hearings, revisions, and delays.

Hostile lobbying from Union Pacific softened the bill, who threatened to sue the state if the bill passed. They claimed that federal rules regarding train length, blocked crossings, trackside detectors and union access to private property conflicted with the bill. Whether UP would win the lawsuit or not, an active lawsuit with the state would take years to resolve. This would prevent the state from negotiating much-needed regional passenger rail with UP, which is a top priority for the Governor’s office.

“While the bill we passed isn’t exactly the bill we started with, the future office of rail safety will be an additional tool to provide a safe workplace for SMART-TD members and a safer community for Colorado citizens. The office will collect valuable data on long trains, trackside detectors, blocked crossings and rail accidents, which we can then use for stronger rail safety legislation in the future.” Smith said.

HB24-1030 was signed into law by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in a signing ceremony on May 10, 2024. SMART-TD’s battle continues.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Colorado is one step closer to responsibly managed freight rail, and the nation is one step closer to the Railway Safety Act. Incremental wins like these, sometimes years in the making, would not be possible without SMART-TD and our members. Our state legislative directors have the tenacity and the connections to get the job done, as Colorado’s win shows.

Each new law results from a similar fight for our members. Our legislators step up wherever railroads choose to put profits above safety, and operating efficiency above respect for the communities where they operate.

This article was contributed by Robert Harrington of Dunn Harrington LLC. Follow this link for information about the SMART-TD Designated Counsel.

The railroad personal injury report is generally the first exhibit used at any Federal Employers’ Liability Act trial in the country. If completed correctly, accurately, and not under duress, it can be the most-useful tool to guarantee a fair and reasonable recovery in a FELA case. It is the functional equivalent of a police report in a criminal matter. If completed incorrectly, it will be the railroad’s most-effective sword to deny employee recovery.

Negligence is the most hotly contested issue in any FELA case. This is because proof of negligence is required before an employee can trigger a recovery against their railroad employer. And, even if negligence is proven, “contributory negligence” on the part of the employee can serve as a damage reducer. For example, if a jury finds the railroad 50% at fault and the employee 50% at fault and awards $100,000.00 in damages, the court reduces those damages in accordance with the employee’s own fault (in this scenario the damages will be cut in half).

Information Requested in Railroad Personal Injury Reports

Railroad personal injury reports vary. Generally all ask for the same information. The basic template for all railroad personal injury reports includes:

  • Background information (i.e., name, address, date of injury, location of injury, etc.)
  • Description of injury.
  • How did the injury occur?
  • Who is at fault?
  • Were they any witnesses to your injury? Who were you working with?
  • Will you seek medical treatment?

The personal injury report is both the employee and the employer’s first opportunity to document information quickly after the incident when it is often most fresh. Juries often consider the injury report the most-accurate reflection of what occurred related to the incident and resulting injury.

Steps to Take Following an Injury

For this reason, the report needs to be completed in an accurate, timely and truthful manner. The following critical steps need to be followed after you are injured and before you complete your personal injury report:

  • Notify a crewmember or someone you are working around that you have sustained an injury, thus corroborating the incident;
  • If possible, show the crewmember or nearby fellow employee the condition that caused your injury (i.e., debris in the walkway, etc.);
  • Notify your immediate supervisor that you are hurt and can no longer continue working;
  • Advise your supervisor that you need medical attention;
  • Contact your local chairperson or another union representative to advise them you are obtaining medical treatment related to an on-duty injury;
  • Contact Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) to obtain legal advice about the specific facts of your situation;
  • Do not complete your injury report while at the hospital or under the influence of any medication;
  • Do not allow a trainmaster or any other railroad supervisor inside the hospital or doctor examining room to question you;
  • Be certain you are rested and not under the influence of any medication prior to sitting down to complete your report;
  • Make sure to follow-up with YOUR own doctor. (If you don’t have a relationship with a family or primary care doctor – establish one now).

On a beautiful Kansas spring day, legislators, their families, and community members gathered for a special train ride hosted by SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) and the Rock Island Railroad.

Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo speaks at Baldwin train depot before the excursion trip.

The event provided an opportunity for advocacy and education on rail safety legislation, community involvement and the development of industry partnerships.

SMART-TD Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo spoke with the legislators at the historic Baldwin city train depot and a safety briefing by the train crew followed before everyone came aboard.

As the train rolled through the scenic countryside, legislators engaged in discussions with TD representatives, learning about the importance of rail safety and the need for comprehensive legislation. The SMART-TD team shared their firsthand experiences and emphasized the crucial role of rail safety in protecting both workers and the public.

Kansas State Legislative Director Ty Dragoo speaks with a fellow passenger during the Kansas excursion trip.

The train ride also showcased the strong community involvement in rail safety. Leaders from statewide organizations representing first responders and firefighters attended and demonstrated their readiness to respond to any emergency situation. Their presence highlighted the importance of collaboration between rail workers and emergency services to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the need for common-sense minimum rail safety legislation.

SLD Dragoo gives a passenger an assist.

Key to the event was the partnership between SMART-TD’s Kansas contingent and the Rock Island Railroad in Baldwin City.

“Rock Island provided the historic train and the tracks, creating a unique and memorable experience for all participants,” Dragoo said. “The partnership demonstrated the commitment of both organizations to rail safety community engagement and a shared interest in advancing rail safety legislation.

“It was an awesome event. Special thanks go to the crew members and Robert Riley, CEO of the Rock Island Railroad, for their dedication and hard work in making the legislative train ride a success. Their contributions ensured a safe and enjoyable event for everyone involved.”

Dragoo said that he hopes that the excursion becomes a regular event because it can educate and strengthen understanding among legislators about the industry in a practical way.

Anyone who makes a career out of running the rails or drilling track lists in the yard has qualities that are hard to find in 2024. Rail workers are throwbacks to a time when hard work, dignity, and the ability to improvise and overcome were valued.

Not only are the men and women who make up our State Legislative Boards in touch with the working conditions they want to improve, but they have also made it in the world of railroading. That speaks to the qualities a person has at their core. When they roll into any state house in the country, they bring more than our message with them. They bring our swagger and our ingenuity, too.

One of the best examples is our State Legislative Board in Colorado. This group has been on the cutting edge of this organization and has been taking the state house in Denver by storm.

Carl Smith, SMART-TD’s state legislative director in Colorado, has 12 years of experience in his role and a team of legislative representatives (LRs) around him as hungry for improvements as they are effective.

Gov. Jared Polis signs Colorado’s rail safety bill H.B. 1030 on May 10, 2024.

This win creates oversight that should put safety first

Smith’s team in Colorado pushed their state to become among the first in the country to adopt 2PC, and succeeded for the members of SMART-TD yet again in their fight for the Colorado Rail Safety Act.

The act (H.B. 1030) is a comprehensive rail safety package that will provide protection for our members in the Mile High State and set a precedent for what we can achieve nationwide. It combines policies that proved successful in other states, and reads like a SMART-TD highlight reel:

  • Creates the Colorado Office of Rail Safety monitoring the following throughout Colorado:
    • HazmatTrain lengthRail operationsTrack conditionsMechanicalSignal systems
    • Blocked crossings
  • Doubles the number of rail safety inspectors in the state
  • Reinforces the role of SMART-TD and all rail labor organizations in investigations,
  • Provides for training for first responders,
  • Reinforces whistleblower protections for railroad workers,
  • Regulates the placement and enforcement of wayside defect detectors.

Why we do it

On May 10, 2024, Gov. Jared Polis signed the Colorado RSA into law. When the ink dried on his signature, it cemented yet another win for Smith, Colorado’s Legislative Board, workers’ rights, public safety, and common sense.

SMART-TD wants to thank and congratulate SLD Carl Smith, the Colorado Legislative Board, and, most importantly, our Colorado members. We appreciate your fight for this bill, and your victory will pave the way for a heightened level of safety for thousands of your brothers and sisters far beyond the borders of your state.

This victory was not gift-wrapped for SMART-TD. Railroad lobbyists and the legislators they have in their camp threw more than one curveball at Brother Smith and his legislative board, which we’ll get into in a future article. The professionalism of this group of LRs is an excellent example of what this organization is capable of!

The SMART Transportation Division is gaining momentum in legislatures all over the United States. Some state houses have proven friendlier to our cause of rail safety and quality of life for rail workers. This is evident by the legislative victories our union has achieved in the Northeast corridor and on the West Coast.

As our national and state legislative teams continue to lead the way and outwork the railroads’ corporate lobbyists around the country, our organization has begun to make progress in less labor-friendly states.

SMART-TD crossing safety bill signed into law

On April 19th, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa signed her name to the latest rail safety bill SMART-TD was working toward. This legislation, known as Iowa House Bill 204, has been spearheaded by SMART-TD’s Iowa Legislative Board and its state director, Chris Smith.

H.B. 204’s passage doubled the fine for drivers who roll the dice and ignore crossing gates inside quiet zones. For any railroader who has ever had the misfortune of being involved in a critical incident at a crossing, we know how significant of a win this deterrent is.

Smith and the Iowa Legislative Board fought for this bill not only in the interest of public safety but also for every railroader’s mental and emotional well-being.

Historic support

Our LRs in Iowa orchestrated SMART-TD’s effort in Des Moines well. The results may very well open the door to passing additional bills in Iowa that were previously unimaginable in that state’s political climate.

Iowa State Legislative Director Christopher Smith

Smith and his team of legislative representatives passed H.B. 204 through both chambers of Iowa’s Legislature without one representative or senator voting against it! They received votes of 99-0 and 50-0, respectively, in the House and Senate. 

In addition to the overwhelming bipartisan support Smith and his board pieced together, they were able to pull off a feat that was even harder to believe — they got both Class I railroads in Iowa to support SMART-TD’s legislation!

Job well done!

SMART-TD wants to thank SLD Smith, the nine Iowa State Legislative Board members, and every man and woman who contributed to this great accomplishment. We are excited to see where your momentum carries Iowa and this organization going forward!

Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman joined the STB in 2019, the same year that I became the president of the SMART Transportation Division. In the five years we have been in our positions, many of the battles Marty and I have fought have been the same.

At STB, Oberman has been dedicated to making the rail industry work for the American people and our economy. What made him stand out is that he understands what SMART-TD and rail labor do to make that happen. He has always, very appropriately, seen labor as a partner in the solutions and in the industry.

Ever since he was with Metra working with SMART-TD members to keep Chicago’s passenger rail flowing, Marty has seen value in the experience and wisdom of crews on the front line. When he became a member, then chair of the STB, this mentality came with him — the people on the ground and in the cab are the ones making things work.

Oberman has gone out of his way to give SMART-TD and rail labor a voice in the direction of the industry. This has earned him tremendous respect from this organization’s leadership and from our members.

His no-nonsense, common-sense approach has served this country well, as well as providing many YouTube-worthy quotes and awkward moments for railroad executives who faced his questions. It’s been therapeutic at times to see Oberman demand accountability from rail executives who are so accustomed to dictating the situation to their will.

STB Chairman Martin Oberman addresses the SMART Leadership Conference via video in San Francisco, Calif., in 2022.
STB Chairman Martin Oberman addresses the SMART Leadership Conference via video in San Francisco, Calif., in 2022.

He has been an ally in our fight to get the nation out from under the thumb of Precision Scheduled Railroading. He’s used his clout as chairman to rally against rail carriers’ abuses of shipper embargoes. In recent months, he’s been an outspoken critic of a hedge fund’s hostile takeover of Norfolk Southern.

When given the choice, he’d prefer the industry concentrate on serving shippers and valuing its employees instead of seeing profit and operating ratios as the chief determinants of success. Throughout, he’s seen rail workers as key to this country’s economy, not as enemies of Wall Street investors. This core belief shines through in his time leading the Surface Transportation Board.

Martin Oberman is a friend of the American rail worker. I‘m proud to say that he has become a friend of mine.

When a champion of our cause retires or, as we like to say, “pulls the pin,” it’s a hard pill for the rest of us to swallow. But looking at the structure of the STB today and the watchdog role this board has carved out under Marty’s leadership, it is evident that his legacy will last for decades to come.

I want to personally wish Marty a long and happy retirement with his wife, Bonnie, beginning today. I and every hard-working American in the industry appreciates the fearlessness with which you served the STB and the nation.

Jeremy R. Ferguson,

President, Transportation Division