Earlier today, The Situation Room on CNN featured SMART General President Michael Coleman who appeared on their broadcast to discuss SMART apprentice Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s ongoing case and his right to due process.
On Thursday, April 10, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision that backed a federal judge’s order requiring the government to facilitate the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the United States. Read SMART General President Michael Coleman's statement in response.
The SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) expresses strong support for Brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a SMART union apprentice who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite legal protections and is now imprisoned in dangerous conditions. We are asking SMART-TD members and the public to support Kilmar and his family through donations and by raising awareness to demand his return.
Following Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts’ decision to temporarily stay a federal district court order to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the United States by 11:59pm tonight, SMART General President Michael Coleman issued the following statement: “In court Fr [...]
When SMART Local 5 (East Tennessee and North Carolina) member Steven Ruger became an organizer in April 2023, the local had around 1,100 members — the majority in Tennessee. Today, thanks in large part to aggressive organizing conducted by Local 5 and spearheaded by Ruger, the local has more than 1,500 members, and the size of Local 5’s North Carolina membership has increased by more than 60%.
Following an April 4, 2025, press conference regarding the deportation of SMART Local 100 apprentice Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, General President Michael Coleman issued the following statement: “The principle of due process is one of the fundamental values our nation is fo [...]
Supporters will rally alongside Abrego Garcia’s union and Maryland immigrant rights activists in Langley Park to support his family and his right to due process.
On March 31, 2025, the Trump administration conceded in a court filing that it had mistakenly deported SMART apprentice Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a legally protected Maryland resident and father, to El Salvador “‘because of an administrative error,’” according to CNN. The administration is also arguing that because Abrego Garcia is now in Salvadoran custody, the government cannot return him to the United States.
Our Women’s History Month celebration highlighted the leadership and perseverance of only a few of the women who are making history in the labor movement, challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. SMART-TD thanks all our sisters for their contribution and leadership within our union family.
In so-called “right-to-work” states like Florida — the home of commuter rail service Tri-Rail — union workers are often forced to overcome multiple obstacles during contract negotiations. On the one hand, they’re trying to make gains on pay, benefits and working conditions. O [...]