Tag: Houston solidarity rally

Home>News>Houston solidarity rally

The eighth annual Rail Labor Solidarity Rally, hosted by the SMART-TD railroad union, brought together hundreds of railroad workers and union leaders to Houston, Texas, this week.

SMART-TD encourages collective action

The event fosters collaboration among various railroad crafts and focuses on the shared mission of protecting safety and job security and advancing railroad workers’ rights.

SMART shared tips and tactics with members and leadership from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED). Together we celebrated our combined strength, pursued greater unity among railroad workers, and shared our best practices and planned future actions.

Texas barbecue with a side of solidarity

SMART-TD General Chairperson Roy Davis (GCA-577, Union Pacific), along with his dedicated team of volunteers, served up world-class Texas barbecue, a hallmark of the event. Davis and his team worked the smokers and grills for the better part of two days to prepare their renowned brisket and chicken, contributing to the rally’s growing popularity year after year.

Unions like SMART-TD wield incredible power for change

The event included insightful speeches and a lively Q&A session. Speakers included SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson, Texas Safety and Legislative Director Kamron Saunders, and leaders from both the BLE and BMWED.

A highlight of the day was the appearance of Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who spoke passionately about the power unions wield for shaping worker-oriented safety guidelines and legislation at all levels of government.

Giffords emphasized the importance of union solidarity in advocating for railroad workers and the labor movement as a whole. She also spoke about the upcoming election in November and how pivotal it is to the labor movement that we show up and support the candidates who are with us and will use their office to build on workers’ rights.

SMART-TD railroad union event connects members with RRB, UTUIA and the FRA

The Solidarity Rally also provided attendees with the opportunity for one-on-one consultations with representatives from organizations such as the Railroad Retirement Board, our fraternal insurance organization, the UTUIA, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Despite our organizational differences, solidarity is essential for the future of all rail labor. Attendees enjoyed great food, great fellowship, and prepared to face our shared challenges. The annual event once again united railroad workers and amplified our voices in the ongoing fight for fairness and safety in the industry.

Door prize raffle adds excitement to the rally

One of the most popular events at this annual rally is the raffling of prizes donated by our SMART-TD Auxiliary, Designated Legal Counsel, and others. This year there were coolers, lunch bags, gift cards, and other fun items being raffled. The grand prize of a 65-inch LG TV donated by the Auxiliary was won by SMART-TD’s own Matt Wright, an engineer from Local 1929 (East St. Louis, Ill.).

SMART-TD would like to congratulate Brother Wright on his win, and we would like to thank all of our SMART-TD brothers and sisters who volunteered their time to make this year’s Solidarity Rally the huge success it was.

BLET President Dennis Pierce (center, in black) and SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson at right, in blue, speak with the hundreds of attendees at the Houston Solidarity Rally on Oct. 17.

SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen President Dennis Pierce stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they answered direct questions from a standing-room-only crowd Oct. 18 at the annual Solidarity Rally for Rail Labor in Houston, Texas.

SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson speaks during the Houston Solidarity Rally Oct. 17.

Hundreds of members and officers from SMART-TD, BLET and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) — the nation’s three largest freight rail labor unions — gathered to address hot-button issues in the industry, including the tentative National Rail Agreement (TA), to be voted upon soon by TD members.

“It was a great opportunity again to collaborate with BLET President Pierce, to get the facts out there at a face-to-face event about what’s going on in our industry,” President Ferguson said. “SMART-TD, BLET and other unions went through more than two and a half years of negotiations. There’s a lot to unpack about where the industry is right now, and it was good for us to have a factual presentation about the PEB and how the tentative agreement was constructed.

“This was a very lively event, and one where we were able to get right down to an honest discussion about our members’ upcoming ratification process and the decisions that lie ahead,” he said. “Years ago, I don’t know if the degree of solidarity among these different unions would have existed. It’s open dialogue like this that’s a healthy way to combat some of the untruths that’s been floating out there regarding the tentative agreement. Both President Pierce and I are absolutely committed to working together as we continue to move forward, in solidarity.”

Along with President Ferguson, SMART General President Joseph Sellers and other officers enjoyed the hospitality of the Houston rally’s organizers. Special recognition goes out to General Chairperson Roy Davis and GCA Secretary Buddy Piland (GO 577) for putting the event together. As always, Local 1892 out of Houston was heavily involved in the hometown event, including Vice Local Chairperson Keith Green (LCA-577), Local Secretary & Treasurer Robert Maldonado, Legislative Representative Butch Boggess and retiree Dan Holak. General Chairperson Chris Alston (GCA-803) out of Local 1686, GCA Secretary Buddy Piland (GCA-577) out of Local 1205 and Darvin Scott of Local 524 also put in hard work at getting things rolling at the headquarters of SPJST Lodge 88.

Representatives from the SMART-TD Auxiliary, AFL-CIO, UTUIA, Railroad Retirement Board and NARVRE as well as United Healthcare, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and a number of SMART-TD Designated Legal Counsel attended as well.

Local 1892’s Maldonado estimated that there were anywhere from 250 to 300 people in attendance, giving it the air of a “mini-regional” meeting, even after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID pandemic.

“GC Davis was telling me that 30 to 40 general chairpersons from throughout the country were in attendance and are looking forward to this event next year already,” Maldonado said. “Quite a few BLET GCs from the Texas/Gulf Coast area were in attendance as well. This rally is a multi-craft and multi-railroad (UP/BNSF/KCS/PORT TERMINAL RR) and from what I’ve been told, the biggest and best one held throughout the country.”

Maldonado said nine SMART locals participated as well as four BLET lodges and BMWED Lodge 1058.

“A big thank-you goes to the Houston-area Designated Legal Counsel Marc Zito, Sara Youngdahl and Clint McGuire for their continued support and sponsorship of this huge event. I don’t want to forget to thank SMART-TD Auxiliary 281 for their help with the decorations and SMART-TD Texas State Legislative director Kamron Saunders for sponsorship and support as well,” he said.

“I was told that this year’s rally was the best one yet and that having Presidents Ferguson and Pierce attend was a home run,” Maldonado said. “So we will start prepping for the 2023 Solidarity Rally next year. Everything is BIGGER in TEXAS.”

Next on President Ferguson’s schedule is a discussion at the Tacoma Regional Training Seminar occurring this week.

Local 1892 invites union members to the fourth-annual Houston Solidarity Rally that is scheduled noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at the SPJST Lounge, 1435 Beall St. in Houston.
The event is open to all and has previously drawn members from 16 locals/divisions/lodges from multiple unions around Texas and the Gulf Coast.
It features BBQ, guest speakers, prize drawings, vendors and informational booths.
“Someone best described it as a ‘mini-regional’ for our area,” said Local 1892 S&T Robert Maldonado.
For more information, visit https://www.railrally.com/