SMART Transportation Division Local 61 (Philadelphia, Pa.) has experienced the loss of a second member from the novel coronavirus.
“I saw him at every union meeting we had – and sometimes he was the only person there,” said Bernard Norwood, general chairperson of GO-STA. “Stephen was very committed to the union. He was a really nice guy.”
Using money out of his own pocket, Brother McFadden donated to the local’s annual holiday party without fail, Norwood said.
McFadden was a very passionate Phillies fan – sometimes catching part of the game during the down time he had during a shift and filling in his union brothers and sisters on what was going on – and making sure the game was on the TV in the crew room. He also was a very particular lottery player, schooling people to scratch from the bottom up and letting them know the range of numbers they should snag when considering a scratch-off ticket purchase.
Another tradition he was known for was on pay weeks – when the system processed the payroll and employees knew they were going to get their deposits, he’d greet his brothers and sisters with a cheery “Happy Wednesday!”
“That’s going to be missed a lot, especially today,” Norwood said. (He was interviewed on May 6 — a Wednesday morning.)
On April 14, McFadden’s Local 61 brother Michael A. Hill, 58, of Glassboro, N.J., died of COVID-19. Norwood says he’s received reports of 35 positive coronavirus cases and 135 SEPTA workers have been in quarantine. Seventy-two are back on the job.
Norwood said it’s been an uphill fight to get the carrier to mirror some of the sanitizing practices being adopted in New York and in New Jersey, to provide personal protective equipment and to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measures.
“We’re still fighting for temperature checks and to get marks on the floors for social distancing,” Norwood said, although he said he’s seeing some progress.
To date, SMART-TD nationally has lost at least eight members and retirees to the pandemic, according to reports submitted to the union.
Tag: COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, SMART mourns the deaths of those members who put their lives on the line during this global crisis.
It is important for us to work together during this crisis to prevent further deaths while thanking those doing the work to maintain our nations’ critical infrastructure and keep us safe.
We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to their families, extended families, friends, their Locals, and all who knew them.
Joseph Hansen, SMART-TD Local 60, Newark, N.J. April 7, 2020
Joseph Hansen, a 20-year SMART Transportation Division member out of Local 60 (Newark, N.J.), passed away from COVID-19. Hansen was 62 years old and had been a SMART-TD member since November 1999. He worked out of NJT’s Raritan Yard. “Brother Hansen’s 20 years of service was exemplary. He was the consummate professional, a loving husband, father and grandfather,” said General Chairperson Jerome Johnson (GCA-610), who is president of Local 60. “He will be greatly missed.” (Read more)
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Jory J. Bohanan, SMART-TD Local 1607, age 39, North Hollywood, Calif., died March 29, 2020.
A member of the union since 2007, he had previously worked for L.A. Metro and had only worked a couple of months for MV Transportation, which contracts with Santa Clarita Transit. “My son, he was a great man. He had a big heart. He was a genuine, good person, and he was easy-going,” his father, Darryl Bohanan, told the Santa Clarita Signal. Jory is survived by his children and was engaged to be married. A GoFundMe had been set up to assist his family.
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Kenneth R. Jackson, SMART-TD Local 1337, age 73, Brusly, La., died April 1, 2020. Brother Jackson was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired Union Pacific conductor.
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Donnie Carson, SMART-TD Local 1908, age 69, Buffalo, N.Y., died April 3, 2020.
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Domingo Tovar, SMART-TD Retired Local 23, Santa Cruz, Calif., April 14, 2020
Brother Tovar, 68, served two stints with Santa Cruz Metro as a bus operator starting in 1982, then leaving for another carrier before returning to Santa Cruz in 1987. He was involved in the initial contract talks with the carrier as well as a 37-day strike against in 2005.
He served a year as secretary and treasurer for Local 23.
“He had many friends. He was a happy person,” said retired Local 23 member Serena Tovar, Brother Tovar’s wife of more than 43 years and a 30-year SMART-TD member. “Domingo remained the same type of person the day she met him to the day he passed. He was always happy. He just loved life and had no regrets. He was very proud of his kids and was always there for his family.”
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Michael A. Hill SMART-TD Local 61, Philadelphia, Pa, April 14, 2020
Brother Hill was a 30-year member of SMART-TD and worked for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA). He was the second active member fatality for SMART-TD reported from the virus following New Jersey Transit conductor Joseph Hansen.
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Rameliah “Reme” Jennings, SMART-TD Local 1589, age 74, Scotch Plains, N.J., died April 22, 2020.
Brother Jennings spent much of his career with United Parcel Service (UPS). After he retired, in 2007 he tapped into his love for driving and worked part-time with Suburban Bus Company (Coach USA). In typical “Reme” fashion, he bonded with the staff at the company and was well admired and loved. He joined the union in 2011. Brother Jennings, an ordained minister, was a globetrotter and was constantly on the go! He had the opportunity to travel to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. He was also an avid sports fan and was passionate about his golf game. He served as associate pastor at First Park Baptist Church in Plainfield, N.J. The Rev. Jennings leaves to cherish fond memories, his wife of 35 years, Dorothy, his children, sisters and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
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Kenneth K. Skoog, retired from SMART-TD Local 1177, age 90, Whapeton, N.D., died April 24, 2020. An Air Force veteran, Brother Skoog began working for the Great Northern Railroad in 1951, which later merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad. He retired in 1993 after 43 years of service.
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Stephen G. McFadden, SMART-TD Local 61, age 51, Philadelphia, Pa., died April 30, 2020. Brother McFadden was a SEPTA conductor and a member of the union since September 1991. “I saw him at every union meeting we had – and sometimes he was the only person there,” said Bernard Norwood, general chairperson of GO-STA. “Stephen was very committed to the union. He was a really nice guy.” Using money out of his own pocket, Brother McFadden donated to the local’s annual holiday party without fail, Norwood said. He was a very passionate Phillies fan – sometimes catching part of the game during the down time he had during a shift and filling in his union brothers and sisters on what was going on – and making sure the game was on the TV in the crew room.
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Rony L. Jacobs, SMART-TD Local 30, age 69, Alma, Ga., died May 9, 2020. A retiree from Amtrak, Brother Jacobs was a conductor for the carrier for 40 years.
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George Appiah-Kumi, SMART-TD Local 1589, age 63, Somerset, N.J., a union brother, friend and co-worker passed away May 18, 2020, at RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick. as a result of COVID-19.
George has been part of Suburban Transit since July 7, 2014.
“His dedication to his work and strong union activism are the reasons why he was well appreciated and liked by both management and union,” said General Chairperson Gordon Harris, who is also Local 1589’s president. “I will always remember his soft, quiet voice and brilliant smile every time we ran into each other at work. George was a team player and has helped out many times even on short notice. May his soul rest in peace.”
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Wilfredo Corsino, SMART-TD Local 1607, age 65, Los Angeles, Calif., died June 11, 2020. A bus operator for L.A. Metro out of Divisions 7, 10, and 13, he joined the union in 1996. “Many operators remember Brother Corsino’s infectious laugh and his love for Metro. Many of his co-workers stated that he was a great ping-pong and pool player,” GC John Ellis said.
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Retiree Luther “Junior” Lawson, SMART-TD Local 1315, Florence, Ky., age 89, passed away Aug. 26, 2020, as a result of COVID-19. He joined the union in 1970 and was a brakeman for CSX.
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Ramon Gamez, a SMART-TD Local 1563 member, passed away from COVID-19 on Aug. 21, 2020, at age 55. A Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker, Brother Gamez worked out of Division 3202 and was hired December 21, 1997.
Well-liked by his co-workers, Brother Gamez was a great family man and is survived by his wife, Sonia Gamez; daughter, Alejandra Gamez; and son Ramon Gamez Jr., a SMART-TD member out of Local 1565. Brother Gamez loved to play chess, take trips to the lake, go to Las Vegas and go to the movies with his family.
“He was very friendly and outgoing and will truly be missed,” General Chairperson John Ellis said.
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Member Bobby D. Jones Jr. of Local 11 (Houston, Texas) passed away on July 9, 2020, from COVID.
He was an engineer for Union Pacific and a member of the union for more than 14 years.
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Rohan Johnson, SMART-TD Local 1715, Gastonia, N.C., age 59, a member of the union since February 2012 who worked for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), passed away on Aug. 30 from COVID-19.
“He was known as dependable man that would help anyone in need,” Bus Department Vice President Alvy Hughes said.
“A respectful, loving and caring husband, father, and friend,” his wife posted. “Was loved and will be sadly missed by many.”
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Christopher Bruce Skaggs, 49, of Mammoth Spring, Ark., died on Monday, October 26, 2020 at Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Ark. Brother Skaggs was a former president of Local 607 (Thayer, Mo.) and a former legislative secretary of the Missouri State Legislative Board.
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Jose “Joe” Alfaro, a member of SMART Transportation Division for more than 15 years, died from COVID-19 on Nov. 13. He was 58 years old. Brother Alfaro was a member of Local 18 in El Paso, Texas, and worked as a trainman/brakeman for Union Pacific.
He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Ruoana and four children: Avan Brian, Mia Brianna, Vanessa and Robert.
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Miguel “Mike” Gaitan, 64, an active SMART Transportation Division member out of Local 1241 (Richmond, Calif.), passed away Friday, December 11, 2020, from COVID-19. An engineer with BNSF, he joined our union in February 1995.
“Mike was larger than life, his kindness, his funny laugh and his ability to be a leader in the railroad family was not rivaled,” California State Legislative Director Louis Costa said. “He will be deeply missed.”
Brother Gaitan is survived by his wife, Alice, and four children, Megan, Mike Jr., Santiago and Dolores. He also had two grandchildren.
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Guss Z. Mitchell, a member of Local 1313 (Amarillo, Texas), died from COVID-19 on Dec. 26, 2020. He was 42.
Brother Mitchell joined our union in September 2001 and was the father to a son and a daughter.
“Guss loved hunting, fishing, the mountains, family and friends. Most of all he loved his children,” his obituary stated.
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Laureen Young Jr., 59, a 34-year member out of Local 1565 who worked as a train operator for the LACMTA, passed away Dec. 27, 2020, from complications associated with COVID-19.
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Angel Lomeli, a 14-year member of our union, passed away Jan. 5, 2021, from COVID-19. He was 48 years old.
Brother Lomeli was a member of Local 1846 (West Colton, Calif.) and worked as a trainman for Union Pacific.
“God gained the absolute best angel today, we miss you but a soul as beautiful as yours will never be forgotten,” his family wrote on a memorial fundraiser page in his memory.
He is survived by his wife, five children and four grandchildren.
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Kelly Orrick of Local 221 (North Little Rock, Ark.) passed away Dec. 28, 2020, at age 60 from COVID-19.
He had been a member of our union for 22 years and worked as a trainman/brakeman for Union Pacific.
He is survived by his wife, son and two grandsons.
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Steven Shaner, a former vice president of Local 316 (Clinton, Iowa) and vice local chairperson of LCA-225C, passed away Dec. 31, 2020, from COVID-19.
He was a member of our union for more than 21 years and worked as an engineer for Union Pacific. He served as vice president of his local from 16 months starting in Jan. 2012 and as vice local chairperson for more than six years.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Karen, two sons and two daughters.
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Bryant D. Armstrong, 46, of Local 835 (Bakersfield, Calif.), a trainman/brakeman for Union Pacific and a member of our union for four years, passed away Feb. 17, 2021, from COVID-19.
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Johnny Ira Cohen, 58, a member of Local 998 (Waycross, Ga.), died Feb. 21, 2021, from COVID-19. He was 58.
A member of our union for more than 16 years, he worked as a conductor for CSX.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle; three daughters; a son; and six grandchildren.
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Local 1067 member Alvin Wigfall, 64, of Superior, Wis., died Friday, April 9, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minn., from COVID-19.
Wigfall hired out with Canadian National as a conductor in June 1998 where he would spend the next 21 years of his career. He went out on disability/E-49 status in November 2019 and was unofficially retired.
“He was a really kind person. I mean that’s the biggest thing about Al, he was just so kind-hearted. He was a kind, gentle, good-hearted person. He was loved by everyone he worked with,” Local 1067 President Kevin Holden said.
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Local 225 President Jason Ruffing, 40, of Attica, Ohio, died April 21, 2021, at Mercy Health St. Charles Hospital in Oregon, Ohio, from COVID-19.
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Brother Thurman Wheeler, 47, of Local 1348, died April 30. 2021, of COVID-19. He was a conductor for Union Pacific and a member of our union for six years.
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Jaime Garcia-Perez, 48, a member of our union for more than 15 years out of Local 23 (Santa Cruz, Calif.), passed away Sept. 3, 2021, from complications of COVID-19. He was an operator for the Santa Cruz Metro ParaCruz.
“Jaime, who worked at ParaCruz for nearly 17 years, had an unwavering work ethic and the utmost respect from everyone here at Metro. He was an integral part of ParaCruz from Day One,” GCA Vice General Chairperson Nathanael Abrego and General Chairperson James Sandoval said in a letter to membership. “A hard-working man and full of passion, integrity, and respect. When the workday got hard, we leaned heavily on the ‘Jaime Factor’ because he counted as two drivers. He was that good. You can always count on him to ensure our riders got to their destination on time.
“Jaime was loved by all who knew him. He will be missed.”
Brother Garcia-Perez is survived by his wife of 25 years, Dawn; daughter, Madison; and son, Kaden.
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Joseph Zepeda, 55, a member of Local 524 (Palestine, Texas), died on Sept. 3, 2021, from COVID-19.
A member of our union for 23 years, he worked as a conductor for BNSF.
“He was loved by so many and will be missed, but never forgotten,” his obituary stated.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Tracy and five children.
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Local 1563 member Marco Gomez, a bus operator for Los Angeles County MTA, passed away Sept. 7, 2021, from complications of COVID-19.
Brother Gomez, 37, was a member of our union for more than seven years.
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Sister Terri Poole Taylor Kerns, 52, of Local 1971 (Atlanta, Ga.) lost her life to COVID-19 on Friday, September 10. Diagnosed with COVID-19 on August 24, she was hospitalized Sunday, August 29 with severe chest pains. After suffering from cardiac arrest, she passed in the early hours of Sept. 10.
She hired out with Norfolk Southern, where she would work for 20 years, earning her engineer and conductor certifications and working her way up to the position of yardmaster.
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Brother Manuel Tellez III, a member of our union for 23 years, passed away Sept. 10, 2021, from COVID-19. He was 54 years old.
Brother Tellez served in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged before beginning his journey with Union Pacific, where he loved his job as a train conductor extraordinaire.
“Manuel loved telling stories like the time he derailed the train that was full of Lexus SUVs. It was never a dull moment with him!” wrote Karl Wilson, local chairperson of LCA-887A. “Manuel leaves a Legacy with us all and we will remember the great times spent with him and the great stories he always shared.”
Brother Tellez loved spending time with his family such as camping and road trips across the states. Other favorite activities included cooking BBQ, sports, a good cigar and helping others as he made his mark in society. He will be greatly missed by his wife and family.
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Brother Ryan D. Moe, 37, a member of Local 13 (Huron, S.D.) and conductor for both Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad and BNSF, out of Gilette, Wyo., died Sept. 11, 2021, from COVID-19.
“I always got along with him and he was always behind the organization and any decision I felt was best for us,” said Mike Decker, vice general chairperson of GCA-13 “He was a good one for sure.”
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Brother Thomas A. Pilger, a member of Local 1949, passed away Sept. 13, 2021, from COVID. He had worked for Conrail, Norfolk Southern and was beginning a new position with CSX before his passing.
“He will be deeply missed by all that knew him,” his obituary states.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years and five daughters.
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Brother Darrell Lynn Graves, 59, of Local 894, a member of our union for nearly eight years and a conductor for BNSF, passed away Sept. 22.
His family said he had great artistic ability and loved hunting, fishing, shooting, and International Harvester Scout vehicles.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy, three children and four grandchildren.
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Brother David Harris, 60, a member of Local 1626 (Anchorage, Alaska), died Sept. 25, 2021. Brother Harris was a member of our union for 29 years and worked as an engineer for the Alaska Railroad.
He is survived by his ex-wife, two stepsons and three step-grandchildren. After his death, the Alaska Railroad held a vaccination clinic in his memory, which was featured in an article from the Anchorage Daily News.
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Sister Denise Sargent, 56, a member of Local 1785 and Santa Monica motor coach operator, passed away Oct. 1, 2021.
A member of our union for more than 22 years, joining the organization in August 1999, she was a Santa Monica native, attending local schools there, had a passion for motorcycles and was a member of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club.
A colleague of hers on the Big Blue Bus said Sister Sargent was a “loving, kind and polite person who was always friendly with co-workers and the general public.”
Santa Monica City Council adjourned its meeting Oct. 12, 2021, in honor of Sister Sargent after reading a eulogy for her.
Sister Sargent is survived by her daughter, Shamika Holt; two grandchildren; four sisters and three brothers.
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Brother Patrick Jay Harrison, 49, of Powder Springs, Ga., a member of Local 1971 (Atlanta, Ga.), passed away Oct. 4 from COVID.
A member of our union for nearly 21 years, he was a yardmaster for Norfolk Southern.
Brother Harrison is survived by his wife of 27 years, Amanda; two sons; and numerous other relatives.
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Brother Larry Kirkwood, 47, of Local 1557 (Memphis, Tenn.) and a member of our union for a decade, passed away on Oct. 14, 2021, from COVID-19.
He worked as a conductor for Canadian National.
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Brother Tony Carbajal, a member of Local 807 (Tucson, Ariz.), passed away Oct. 27, 2021, from COVID-19 at the age of 51.
He joined the union in 2004 and worked as a conductor for Union Pacific for more than 17 years.
“Tony was well-liked and respected by his co-workers in Tucson,” said Chris Cheely, legislative secretary of the Arizona State Legislative Board and Local 807’s legislative representative.
A talented golfer and softball player, one of Brother Carbajal’s many hobbies was collecting cigars.
He is survived by the love of his life, Patricia; sons Eric, Gregory and Andrew and grandchildren Stephany and Bubba.
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JeMare Williams, a member of Local 278 (Jackson, Mich.), died Nov. 2, 2021, of COVID-19. He was 50 years old.
Brother Williams joined our union in May 2018 and worked as a conductor for Norfolk Southern.
Local 278 Secretary and Treasurer Jennifer Paull described Brother Williams as “a great man and coworker.”
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Brother Jeffery M. Weaver of Local 340, age 55, passed away from COVID-19 on Dec. 26, 2021.
He joined our union in March 2009 and worked as an engineer for CSX. He is survived by his wife, Carla, and his two daughters, Krista and Kayla.
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Member Bradley Hutchings, 46, out of Local 313 (Grand Rapids, Mich.), passed away from COVID on Jan. 10, 2022.
He was a member of our union for five years and worked as a conductor for Grand Elk Railroad.
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Thomas R. Christensen SMART SM Local 9, Denver, CO. A member since 1965.
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Warren H. Hodges, SM SM Local 66, Everett, WA.
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Reyernesto Mendoza, SM Local 105, Los Angeles, CA. Brother Mendoza was a 25 year sheet metal member who started his career in 1995 and worked at Critchfield Mechanical. In a message on the Local 105 website, SMART Local 105 Vice President Steve Hinson described Rey as someone who always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude. On Facebook, many of his fellow union members expressed their condolences and described Rey as a hard worker. According to an article from KTLA News, “Rey was one of those guys you meet along your path that you would never forget. A great man who will be missed dearly,” one member wrote. His Local 105 brothers and sisters set up a GoFundMe website for his family.
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Thomas L. Leonard, SM Local 20, Hobart, IN. Brother Leonard passed away Thursday, April 23, 2020. He was born in Gary, Indiana on November 24, 1942 and graduated from Hobart High School in 1961. A long time member in Indiana, he retired from Area Sheet Metal in 2000. He was survived by his son and two daughters.
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Anthony L. Rush, SM Local 20, Indianapolis, IN. Brother Rush passed away on the evening of March 28, 2020. He was born in Indianapolis on January 10, 1953 and was a member of St John Missionary Baptist Church in his hometown. He retired in 1997 after over 18 years at Bright Sheet Metal and as a long time member of SM Local 20.
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Stanley E. Turner, SM Local 20, Evansville, IN. Stanley E. Turner II passed away on Monday April 6th, 2020. He was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Sept 26, 1945. His family settled in Evansville early in his childhood and he attended North High School, graduating in 1963. He joined the Navy and served 2 yrs active duty and 23 yrs of reserve duty with his highest ranking at retirement as a Chief Petty Officer. During his time at sea, he learned his craft as a Sheet metal journeyman and welder. He was an active member of Local 20 and served as a union steward during his career. He was known for his work ethic, integrity and high level craftsmanship. He was a long time member of his church and after retirement, he would volunteer his time using his craftsmanship to perform maintenance and special projects for his fellow church members.
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Gerald Carson, Local 63, Springfield, MA
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Bob Olwig, Local 36
Felix M. Bottalico, SMART SM Local 100
Felix M. Bottalico passed away suddenly on January 8, 2021. Felix was a longtime sheet metal instructor. He joined Local 100 in 1979, graduated from Local 100’s training center and later became an instructor. Felix taught classes on sheet metal, was a proficient welder & enjoyed crafting artisanal pieces and collecting tools.
His sheet metal skills were exceptional. During his tenure at the Architect of the Capitol he received a craftsmanship award for his work on the roof of the Philip A. Hart Senate Building. Felix taught a generation of Local 100 brothers and sisters to do their job to the best of their ability.
A former colleague expressed it well when she said, “Felix’s drive to see everyone around him do well was genuine.” What more can be asked of a teacher and a friend?
Felix is survived by his children, brothers, and many family members. He will be greatly missed by his brothers and sisters at Local 100 as a teacher, friend, co-worker, and skilled craftsman.
I wanted to send out another update on what is going on at the agency. We have received inquiries regarding Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) that was established under the CARES Act and whether railroaders may be eligible for benefits under that program if they are not eligible for Railroad Unemployment Insurance Benefits (RUIA) benefits. The Department of Labor (DoL) is responsible for giving guidance to the states regarding the PUA benefits, so we asked the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) General Counsel to reach out to the DoL. The RRB’s General Counsel has been advised by the DoL that nothing in the PUA provisions prohibit railroaders from being eligible for these benefits if they otherwise qualify. Similarly, the RRB’s General Counsel has found that there is nothing in the RUIA that prohibits railroaders from receiving PUA benefits if they are not receiving RUIA benefits. So as a result, I would recommend that if your members have been denied RUIA benefits, they check with their state unemployment services to see if they are eligible for PUA benefits. To find out the application process in each state, you can refer workers to the Unemployment Benefit Finder at the following website:
https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/Find-Unemployment-Benefits.aspx.
Though not related to COVID-19, I wanted to inform you of a new hire at the RRB. As you may remember from previous updates, the Board has been trying to hire a Chief Medical Officer. A new CMO, Dr. Elizabeth Bonson, has been hired and starts today. We hope that the CMO’s presence at the agency will help make the disability process more efficient.
Finally, as you know, the RRB is located in Chicago and this week, the governor of Illinois extended the stay-at-home order through May 30. I anticipate that the agency headquarters will continue to primarily work remotely. Regarding the field offices, although not all states have the same limitations as Illinois, at present it is my recommendation that it is in the best interests of agency personnel and the railroad population we serve to maintain the current work environment for all offices. Consequently, for the time being, field offices will remain closed to the public and staff will work remotely with periodic visits to the office for administrative tasks.
John Bragg,
Labor member, Railroad Retirement Board
Arrangements have been made to have bulk quantities of facemasks for order through American Products Inc., an endorsed SMART Transportation Division vendor.
Two style options are available – one with a washable filter insert and a second single-layer cloth mask.
These are customizable and available in minimum quantities of 50 from the vendor. Contact Sherry Schirripa (sschirripa@comcast.net) or Vicki Harrington (vharrington@atc-ny.com) if interested in placing an order.
Visit smarttdmerchandise.com for more information.
Railroad Retirement benefit recipients who have a qualifying child and didn’t file a 2018 or 2019 tax return have a limited window to register to have $500 per eligible child added automatically to their soon-to-be-received $1,200 COVID-19 payment, the Internal Revenue Service said Monday.
A quick trip to a special non-filer tool on IRS.gov by noon Eastern time, Wednesday, April 22, may help put all of their eligible Economic Income Payment into a single payment, the agency said in a news release.
“We want to ‘Plus $500’ these recipients with children so they can get their maximum Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 plus $500 for each eligible child as quickly as possible,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “They’ll get $1,200 automatically, but they need to act quickly and register at IRS.gov to get the extra $500 per child added to their payment. These groups don’t normally have a return filing obligation and may not realize they qualify for a larger payment. We’re asking people and organizations throughout the country to share this information widely and help the IRS with the Plus $500 Push.”
If the Wednesday deadline is missed, RRB beneficiaries who don’t normally file a tax return and do not register with the IRS by April 22, will still be eligible to receive the separate payment of $500 per qualifying child. Their payment at this time will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020. They will not be eligible to use the Non-Filer tool to add eligible children once their $1,200 payment has been issued, the IRS said.
To read the full IRS release, please follow this link.
While America and the world struggle to combat the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, new heroes have emerged. While much of America has long celebrated its athletes and celebrities as its heroes, this pandemic has shown us who the real heroes are in our society.
At the onset of World War II, Maj. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said in a letter to a close friend:
This is a long tough road we have to travel. The men that can do things are going to be sought out just as surely as the sun rises in the morning.
America’s freight railroad workers are the men and women that “can do things.” Throughout this unfathomable crisis, they have continued to transport the critical commodities and supplies that keep this country operating. These dedicated employees work incredibly long hours, with unpredictable schedules, little rest between shifts, and relatively no time off. The nation’s freight railroads are deemed so important to the economy and our country during this pandemic that the federal government has exercised its emergency order authority, and waived crucial safety regulations designed to protect these employees and the general public, all for the sake of keeping the trains running at maximum efficiency.
It would reason that America’s railroads and our elected representatives would want to take care of these heroes if they were affected by the COVID-19 virus by ensuring these men and women would be treated under medical insurance at no cost to the employee. Unfortunately, that is not the case. In a stunningly greedy and despicable move, the nation’s railroads have denied their employees and their unions’ requests for relief from the costs of COVID-19 treatment.
In a letter dated April 15th, Chairman Brendan M. Branon of the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC), an association of more than 30 U.S. freight and passenger railroads employing more than 145,000 workers, advised rail labor organizations that they would NOT waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment, wanting these families to pay their full portion of treatment costs if they are affected by COVID-19. This move is a slap in the face to the heroes who are working tirelessly to keep the railroads and the nation operating.
Let us put this in perspective. The nation’s railroads are not the struggling small businesses fighting to stay afloat. They are consistently reporting billions of dollars in annual profit. In addition to those billions in profits, the nation’s railroads take government (taxpayer) handouts to the tune of billions of dollars per year. These behemoths are provided billions in tax subsidies in everything from diesel fuel taxes, property taxes, to payroll taxes and infrastructure subsidies. Yes, we the taxpayers are helping fund the billions of dollars of profit that these railroads make. Yet the railroads choose to not fully cover their employees’ costs if they are infected with COVID-19. Do not forget, these are the employees who make it possible for gas stations to have gas to sell, that toilet paper can be produced, that grain and feed is supplied to livestock, that produce can be grown, that there are chemicals to purify our drinking water, and that medical supplies can reach our hospitals and healthcare professionals at a time when they need them most.
In the railroads’ refusal to fully cover these costs, they claim their “extensive measures to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak” are designed to limit employee exposure. While this pandemic is challenging for even the best-managed and -run businesses, the railroads are failing miserably in this regard. Reminiscent of the auto industry’s infamous practice of calculating the cost of lawsuits rather than recalling and fixing deadly cars, the railroads are doing precisely the same thing in regard to COVID-19.
In many instances, railroads have taken only the most basic steps to protect employees. Even with that minimal effort, unions have collected thousands of reports from rail employees indicating that no action has been taken whatsoever. The railroads are gambling that the cost of a few employees’ lives are less consequential to the bottom line than providing basic protective measures recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This leads us to the potential cost of fully covering these frontline essential workers if they contract COVID-19. While it is difficult to provide an exact estimate at this time, it is a safe bet that the total additional cost is a pittance when compared to the uninterrupted billions in employee-generated revenue and taxpayer handouts the railroads continue to receive.
Ultimately, it is greed and disdain for frontline, essential workers that drives the railroad’s refusal to fully cover their employees’ out-of-pocket costs. Is this the America we have become? Do we no longer celebrate and protect our most-critical heroes who get things done?
Brent C. Leonard is a vice president of SMART Transportation Division, a labor union comprised of approximately 125,000 active and retired members of the former United Transportation Union, who work in a variety of different crafts, including as bus and commuter rail operators, in the transportation industry.
What is SMART-TD on Long Island, N.Y., doing during the COVID-19 pandemic?
“Thank you to GC John McCloskey for his help and support in getting signs and with locations. The partnership is just unbelievable and appreciated,” Simon said. The reaction from the membership after the signs went up has been overwhelming
Like most transportation systems, the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has been deemed an essential service for health care workers, emergency responders, police officers, firefighters, city and state essential workers and countless other professions.
- While required to continue working, tremendous safety efforts have been achieved through the issuance of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), manpower manipulations to allow for social distancing, constant disinfecting efforts to protect work locations, paid administrative sick leave to accommodate the hundreds of positive tested members and associated quarantines, and so many additional safety precautions to protect workers.
- Members have been working around the clock cleaning and sanitizing over 1,000 train cars on an aggressive schedule, and our maintenance of equipment workers are continuing to inspect and repair our equipment to all of the standards outlined by federal authorities.
- Engineering forces in the track and building and bridge ranks are continuing to build and maintain the system during this health crisis. Huge projects such as the over $11 billion East Side Access project to allow service to New York City’s Grand Central Station in addition to three other major city terminals continue. The mainline third track expansion continues along the central corridor of Long Island to add to the over 700 miles of track and 124 stations.
- Front-line train crews are continuing to provide a modified essential service plan requiring flexibility, dedication and sacrifice working in vulnerable conditions. They are providing safe service and collecting whatever fares possible as safely as they can during the pandemic.
- Union officials are providing administrative support to the varying work locations hit hardest by the virus to ensure crew dispatching, payroll and PPE issuance are all expedited appropriately.
- After more than 60 COVID-19-related deaths at the MTA, the governing agency of the LIRR, SMART leadership has negotiated an additional $500,000 death benefit package to include health benefits for the beneficiary of any COVID-19 related deaths within our membership.
- Union leadership has worked closely with agency heads and management to provide whatever benefits possible during this extremely troubling time, such as priority COVID testing, relaxed and paid sick leave rules, relaxed time keeping and travel arrangements, etc.
- Union leadership is lobbying for additional federal funding needed to recoup billions of dollars of revenue lost during this crippling time.
- General Chairperson Anthony Simon has worked closely with General Chairperson John McCloskey on the mechanical side in achieving protections and benefits for all SMART workers.
But the GCA’s leaders insist it’s just what they do, and what members expect from them.
“During catastrophic times is when leaders need to step up, lead and not hide,” said Vice General Chairperson Vinnie Tessitore. “Under General Chairperson Anthony Simon’s leadership, and through a dedicated team of union officials, we are out front making tough decisions and demands to secure and protect our workforce.”
Simon, also a SMART-TD alternate vice president, said it has taken a total team effort and cooperation from all to continue to endure the challenges of the coronavirus.
“I could not be prouder of our elected union officials and our membership for their hard work and sacrifices during this pandemic,” Simon said. “I am out in the field every day with our railroad family as they continue to work through this crisis, and my foot will remain on the gas to achieve what they have earned for their heroic efforts.”
“It’s a relief to finally receive some good news! On a normal day and in normal times, SMART-TD’s members and leadership in the New York City/New Jersey area have demands placed on them that often can exceed those of other metropolitan areas just because of the size of the agencies we serve and the population, but as always, our SMART-TD membership and our officers on the LIRR never cease to amaze me.” Ferguson said. “They are the toughest and most resilient Brotherhood that, I, too, am so very proud to have the opportunity to work with and represent as President of the Transportation Division. SMART-TD on the LIRR is leading the way on every front and thankfully giving the membership a solid footing to defend themselves from this disaster.
“Anthony Simon and Vinnie Tessitore have stepped up to make sure LIRR keeps trains clean and running for public and the workers alike so that what is considered ‘essential’ stays running. They’re an example of what solidarity can do — for all of labor to see. I do want everyone to know we’re with you in this, and we will all be there together to the end.”
In protest of what he said was gross misrepresentation by New Jersey Transit (NJT) of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SMART Transportation Division General Chairperson Jerome Johnson has resigned from NJT’s coronavirus safety task force.
Johnson, also president of Local 60 (Newark, N.J.), sent a letter April 6 to the carrier, saying that NJT had been unresponsive to concerns about the cleanliness of trains and that they were not being cleaned as frequently as NJT stated they would.
“I provided NJ Transit with pictures and train numbers, especially on weekends, train cleanings are just not being done properly,” Johnson told NJ.com reporter Larry Higgs. “Protocols are not being followed. Equipment being clean every 24 hour is false. I have pictures, videos and complaints.”
Johnson also said that the carrier did not provide personal protective equipment (PPE) in a timely manner and that the carrier’s coronavirus safety task force did not convene for a two-week period with labor representatives present.
The first active SMART-TD member reported to have died from the coronavirus was Brother Joseph Hansen, a member of Johnson’s local who was an NJT conductor.
“I’m not a union official who doesn’t want NJ Transit to succeed. When they succeed, we succeed,” Johnson told Higgs. “The protocols in place aren’t being followed. My resignation should speak volumes.”
Since late March, SMART-TD continues to field hundreds of reports from the labor workforce in all sectors it represents of carriers not following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
Members are encouraged to continue to report these conditions, which place workers, their families and public alike all at risk, especially as federal agencies have issued safety advisories rather than enforceable regulations during the pandemic.
Read the full story on NJ.com.
On April 15, SMART Transportation Division Local 61 (Philadelphia, Pa.) announced that conductor Michael A. Hill, 58, of Glassboro, N.J., died from the coronavirus.
SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson called General Chairperson Bernie Norwood to offer the condolences of all of SMART to the Hill family and Local 61. General Chairperson Norwood relayed to him that “Brother Hill was a great member that was no nonsense and always had a smile on his face. He really enjoyed being with his co-workers, attending football games for the Philadelphia Eagles and playing cards. Brother Hill will surely be missed.”
General Chairperson Norwood was also thankful for the assistance of UTUIA Field Supervisor Chris Malley, who is working with the family to ensure the fraternal UTUIA life insurance benefits Brother Hill had are handled quickly.
Brother Hill was on the front lines moving passengers as an essential employee and was doing so without all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that should have been provided by SEPTA. As news of this second fatality reached him, Ferguson participated in an AFL-CIO-hosted conference call to news media April 15 taking to task federal agencies that he said have not gone nearly far enough in protecting workers during the coronavirus pandemic, even as our union’s death toll from COVID-19 increases.
The union has sent letters to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking emergency orders that establish definitive regulations to protect employees. The FRA has only issued a safety advisory when they have the power to regulate, while FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams did not even respond to a letter sent by SMART-TD, which is a slap in the face to labor, President Ferguson said during the call.
“I’m appalled that we can’t even get a response. It is not like we are asking for anything extravagant. Just what the CDC has stated is the bare requirements to ensure a safe work environment for both our members and the general public that use these services.” Ferguson said. “It’s paramount that we get this fixed at all levels of transportation, and quickly. Enough is enough.”
Other labor leaders participating in the conference included Transport Workers Union of America President John Samuelson, Amalgamated Transit Union President John Costa and AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Larry Willis.
April 15, 2020
As Trustees of the SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan, we have a responsibility to manage your Plan with care and prudence. We are always concerned with maximizing the benefit of the program for you, particularly in your time of need. We believe this has been accomplished over the years through favorable
changes to the Plan that have directly benefited you as a member.
We are all now facing a pandemic in this country with the spread of COVID-19, also referred to as Coronavirus. This disease has consumed our attention as a nation for weeks now and is a unique challenge for our country and its citizens. We want you as members of the SMART Rail and Bus workforce to know that the Plan is with you and supporting you where it can during this threat. It is for this reason that we are pleased to announce that we have taken immediate action to make it easier for you to qualify for a benefit from the Plan if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This disease has largely caught our country off guard and we know being afflicted with it can have direct and immediate financial implications for you and your family. The Plan is positioned to help.
Effective with all diagnosed COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities beginning in the months of March, April and May 2020, the Plan’s Elimination Period (Waiting Period) will be waived. Currently, members must be disabled for 21 days before benefits will begin on the 22nd day. This is known as the Elimination Period (Waiting Period). We are waiving this Waiting Period for positive COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities. This change will expedite and increase benefits for approved applicants so that you will have immediate access to money. Currently, the Waiting Period will be reinstated for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities beginning on and after June 1, 2020.
We are pleased that the Plan can take this action on your behalf. We wish you and your family health and wellness during these trying times.
Sincerely,
Board of Trustees
Mr. Joseph Sellers Jr., General President SMART
Mr. Jeremy Ferguson, President-SMART Transportation Division
Mr. Joseph Powell, General Secretary-Treasurer SMART
The SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan is administered by:
Southern Benefit Administrators, Incorporated
P.O. Box 1449
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37070-1449
Toll-Free: (844) 880-1071, Fax: (615) 859-0201
View this announcement in PDF form.