Tag: Winter 2025

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Last fall, I had the immense privilege of meeting many of you face-to-face for the first time.

In the leadup to Election Day 2024, I traveled to local unions in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, where I attended get-out-the-vote events, spoke to you at union meetings and got to hear, firsthand, about what’s important to you and your families.

“As long as we have each other’s back, we will continue our forward march to secure the rights and dignity of every worker in this great nation.”

The focus of many of our conversations was, unsurprisingly, the election. But looking back, I don’t find myself thinking about presidential candidates, legislative districts or policymaking. The theme that emerges stronger than any other is one simple fact: No matter who leads our nation, we remain brothers and sisters in this union.

“As long as we have each other’s back, we will continue our forward march to secure the rights and dignity of every worker in this great nation.”

At this point, it’s been months since Donald Trump won his reelection bid for president of the United States. As all of you know, SMART endorsed his opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. These two candidates each had long records detailing the actions they have taken on behalf of SMART members and working families, and they had plans to build on the incredible victories we won under the Biden-Harris administration: securing union pensions, laws that created union jobs, two-person train crews and more.

Countless members across the U.S. — from California and Nevada to Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and beyond — mobilized to elect a bipartisan group of pro-worker champions. They knocked doors, wrote postcards, made calls, sent texts and talked to their fellow members about the importance of voting for those who support us. The stats show us that these efforts worked: Union members supported the Harris-Walz ticket by a double-digit margin. But the American people have spoken, and we need to respect our democratic institutions.

Let me be clear: Regardless of party, SMART will work with any elected leaders to advance the interests of members and their families. That has always been the case, and that won’t stop now.

I also want to make sure every single member always knows this: No matter what happens under a Trump-Vance administration, SMART will continue to fight tirelessly on behalf of every single member and their families. Regardless of where you live, who you voted for, your race, your gender identity, who you love, your religious belief, where you were born or anything else.

These days, elections sow division like never before — and I’m sure many of you experienced the painful aftereffects of that division firsthand. I know I did. But we can never, ever forget the defining principle of our union: solidarity. I have your back, and you have mine. You are my union family, and I am yours. I talked about that frequently in the leadup to this election, and I’ll continue to champion that principle, regardless of who occupies the White House.

Sisters and brothers, I don’t know what the future will bring. But I know that it’s more important than ever for all of us to stand together, united, as one union. As long as we have each other’s back, we will continue our forward march to secure the rights and dignity of every worker in this great nation.

In solidarity,

SMART General President Michael Coleman

Our union stands on an unbreakable foundation: solidarity. Time and again, we have shown that when we unite around our shared values, there are no limits to what we can achieve.

Solidarity goes beyond supporting each other in tough times. It is both a value system and a practice — the principle of having each other’s backs and actively standing together against injustice, from the jobsite to government halls. It embodies our belief that by working together — strategically, boldly and purposefully — we can create new opportunities, amplify our voices and enhance the quality of life for every SMART member and their families.

We are at a critical juncture for our union, our industries and our two nations. While challenges loom, immense opportunities for growth are present. In our industries, we are embracing new technologies and evolving standards. As a workforce, we are fostering unity and resilience to meet the challenges ahead. And as one unified union, SMART, our voice resonates louder and reaches further than ever before.

As General President Coleman often emphasizes, while administrative policies will influence our work, the essence of solidarity remains unwavering. Whether you fabricate HVAC systems, operate transit or work on the rails, whether you reside in Vancouver, Dallas or anywhere in between, our true strength lies in our unity. Together, we are invincible against any challenge.

Our history is a testament to our collective power. Across all disciplines within SMART, our brothers and sisters have made their voices heard loud and clear. In 2019–2020, we stood together to protect union apprenticeships from Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs). In 2022, we united across industries to fight for paid sick leave for railroad workers. These victories highlight our ability to effect meaningful change — and the limitless potential ahead.

“Solidarity goes beyond supporting each other in tough times. It is both a value system and a practice — the principle of having each other’s backs and actively standing together against injustice…”

Our future shines brightly because we will navigate it together. Whether it’s tackling workforce challenges, improving workplace safety for our bus operators, advancing rail safety or advocating for fair policies that support working families, we will act with strategy, vigor and resolve to build the future every member deserves. By prioritizing the safety and well-being of all our members and confronting exploitative forces head-on, we will transform our union and the industries and communities we serve.

At the time of writing, we and people across the United States are awaiting the start of President Trump’s second term. While we cannot predict the exact agenda of the new administration, we remain committed to working with any politician, regardless of party affiliation, to advance the interests of SMART members and their families. If past actions related to IRAPs, two-person railroad crews and our pension funds are any indication, we may face significant challenges ahead. That’s when it will be more important than ever to remember our values.

In SMART, an injury to one is an injury to all, and we act to keep all of us safe and secure — from confronting unsafe conditions at work, to taking a strike vote, to donating food to a fellow worker in need.

Today, I call on each of you to join this vital journey. Engage actively in your union, share your ideas and insights, and participate in local meetings, committees and initiatives. Make your voice heard on local politics that affect your job. Together, we will elevate SMART into an even stronger, more influential union; one that leads our industries and our two nations with unwavering resolve.

Let’s seize the opportunities before us and march forward together — as one union, one voice, one community.

In solidarity,

John Daniel
SMART General Secretary Treasurer

Brothers and Sisters,

As you all know, 2024 was an eventful year for SMART-TD. Upwards of 90% of our freight rail members now have paid sick leave, and two-person crews are now federally protected across the country. 2024 also saw SMART-TD work with rail carriers and other unions party to the National Agreement to bring down the out-of-pocket Health & Welfare costs for our covered members. As of January 2025, all SMART-TD rail members covered by the National H&W Plans will see a reduction of 10.2% in their monthly employee contributions! That puts an extra $31.67 per month back into the pockets of our members without making any concessions in bargaining.

Our Amtrak members recently ratified a monumental agreement. Amtrak workers have achieved historic gains, including the largest general wage increase in the company’s history and full retroactive pay dating back to July 1, 2022, which will also apply to short crew payments. Key highlights include 10 weeks of paid parental leave, the addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday, increased training pay and improved bereavement policies, all while maintaining the healthcare plan for current employees. This agreement not only enhances financial compensation but also improves Amtrak’s dedicated workforce’s overall working conditions.

Thanks to our organizing efforts, including internal organizing and education, we are organizing new properties and welcoming many new members into our union.

2024 was one of the most successful years SMART-TD has experienced with our short-line rail properties. Our Organizing Department has brought many new short-line properties into the SMART-TD family, like the Louisville & Indiana Railroad, among others. We have also dedicated resources to negotiating fair contracts for our members on these smaller properties, such as our Alabama Gulf Coast brothers and sisters, who ratified an agreement with their railroad featuring significantly higher general wage increases and more generous quality-of-life improvements than any agreement they have seen in recent memory. This union is dedicated to fighting just as hard for our members working on a short line with six members as we do for our brothers and sisters working for the Class I railroads, and it shows!

Our bus members have not only ratified agreements from coast to coast with substantial gains in pay, but we also have made significant progress addressing the growing problem of transit violence. In 2024, the Federal Transit Administration embraced our members’ urgency in addressing these issues. We are starting to see tangible steps being made by employers and legislators toward addressing our concerns instead of doing further studies.

SMART-TD continues to be the transportation union with the most to offer with our first-class job insurance (DIPP) and short-term disability insurance (VSTD), both of which are owned by you, the members! No other union has its own plans that allow members’ money to work directly for them and their benefits. With our Discipline Income Protection Program (DIPP) insurance, 2024 saw benefits increase and out-of-pocket costs to members go down! This is all made possible by the members-helping-members approach DIPP is known for.

As members of this union, we should be proud of our accomplishments in 2024, and we owe it to ourselves and to one another to continue our momentum in this new year. As your president, I want all of our sisters and brothers to know that our organization’s success depends heavily on open lines of communication, from the newest trainee to our International office and everyone in between. We must be a united front. If we accomplish this goal, the rest of our challenges become clear-cut, and our collective goals are much more attainable.

In solidarity,

Jeremy R. Ferguson
President, Transportation Division

Every day, thousands of passengers and railroad employees pass through Union Station in Washington, DC, navigating the bustling halls and platforms without a second thought for a quiet, solemn space that resides within.

In a corner of the historic station, a memorial stands to remember the Amtrak employees who lost their lives while working to keep people moving.

SMART-TD Virginia/District of Columbia Vice Chairperson for Passenger Rail Service Jarad Jackson recently shared a photograph of the memorial, shedding light on this often-overlooked monument.

“This memorial is more than just a tribute,” Jackson said. “For me, and for every railroader who takes a moment to reflect on it, it’s a powerful reminder of what we’re fighting for. It’s a symbol of the risks our members face and our commitment to improving safety and working conditions. My goal is to ensure that we never have to add another name to this monument, that no more of our union family members will be killed while on duty.”

The memorial is being updated to include the names of those who have lost their lives since 2018. Brother Jackson is engaging with Amtrak to ensure this important update is made, so the memorial can accurately acknowledge every individual who has sacrificed so much.

By taking a moment to visit and pay respects, we honor their memory and reaffirm our commitment to the safety and well-being of all those who work on the railroads. Let it be a reminder of the shared mission and values of the entire SMART-TD community; no matter what working conditions we find ourselves in, we must work safely to benefit our families and our brothers and sisters on our crew.

Brother Matt Tolliver (Local 1601, Appalachia, Va.) originally brought this memorial to SMART-TD’s attention. In addition to serving Local 1601 as secretary and treasurer, Brother Tolliver also serves his brothers and sisters in a leadership role with the UTUIA, providing members with insurance policies that protect them and their families from the unique dangers in the transportation industry.

The spring 2024 Belonging and Excellence for All (BE4ALL) challenge asked SMART members to tell their union story, prompted by the question: Why are you proud to be a SMART member? For Paul Garner, a longtime Local 55 sheet metal worker out of Boise, Idaho, who won the challenge-entrant raffle, the answer boils down to our union’s tradition of mentorship and solidarity:

“My story begins in May of 1998. As an aimless young man, I applied for a shop clean-up job at a sheet metal shop. But it became an experience in guidance-by-exposure to the materials and parts the shop created. As well as gaining friendships with mentors (both gruff and patient), that guidance encouraged me to pursue this career. It occurred to me then that I admired their knowledge and would seek to be that source of knowledge and mentor the generations that followed me.

Paul Garner, right, with his brand-new BE4ALL champion jacket, presented by Local 55 Regional Manager Kolby Hanson.

“In my four-year apprenticeship, I gained more friendships with classmates of varying ages and backgrounds. But we were brought together in this program, and we bonded over a shared set of struggles. Learning to be good workers, having a good income for ourselves and our families, and gaining knowledge for our careers ahead. Back then, you could tell who would coast through easily, and who would have a harder time doing HVAC work. But the folks who were doing better helped those who weren’t getting the understanding as easily. And we all had different strengths to lend in that experience.

“So, 26 years later, I have mentored and taught. Bought tools, meals and drinks for young workers, shared travel expenses, beat up my body and learned what not to do, to keep myself able to return to work each day. I am sought after by different foremen to help guide their workforce. I am approached as a person that others want to learn from.

“In a decade, I will be able to retire with an income comparable to or better than my weekly income. My parents didn’t have that stability. And I have guided my kids to understand the true benefits of unions and the trades.”

Thank you, Brother Garner, for embodying the best of our union!

Two years ago, SMART Local 18 (Wisconsin) retiree Kevin Turner received the Joseph J. Nigro SMART Army Service Award — honoring his dedication to serving both his union and his community. In 2024, Turner’s deserved recognition reached new heights when Union Plus awarded him first prize in the Unions Power America Contest.

Turner was surprised with a $20,000 prize after being nominated for the award by his daughter, who wanted to celebrate the many impactful roles Turner plays in his community and in his family, including his volunteer efforts.

“I chose to nominate my dad because I feel like not only is he an outstanding dad and grandpa, but he does a lot of things for the community, a lot of things for friends and families and neighbors,” Turner’s daughter, Kristen, said in a Union Plus video honoring her dad.

Turner has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for more than six years, raising $10,000 for the organization and working hands-on to build homes for those in need. His commitment to the organization deepened after he showed up to an initial volunteer shift and noticed that some of the materials weren’t sized correctly by a nonunion sheet metal shop.

“We got involved in it and decided that, you know, we could do this right,” Turner said. “[We] talked to the union, and we got our approval and everything else.

“I worked with a friend of mine that I have known since seventh grade, and between the two of us, we got it going.”

The unexpected loss of his oldest daughter motivated Turner to expand his service work. In addition to Habitat, Turner helps other community groups like the local Elks Club, and he tirelessly organizes blood drives, food pantries and other charitable causes.

“[My friend and I] try to keep nonprofit organizations going by doing trade work so that they don’t have to go out and spend money for something needless when we can help them,” he explained.

Turner is still an active member in his union: attending meetings, grilling brats for SMART Army events and more. He joined Local 18 more than 40 years ago, when he started working in a sheet metal shop through a friend of his brother. The solidarity he experienced from day one changed his life forever.

“At the [start of my career], I had no idea what I was getting into,” he recalled in the Union Plus video. “I worked my way up into running larger jobs and just had a really incredible career with the help of others, because unions always help their [brothers and sisters]. When you needed something, they were always there for you, and it’s a good camaraderie that I’m still involved in — always will be.”

It’s for that reason that Turner knows union solidarity isn’t only about supporting other SMART members — it’s about standing with and serving fellow working-class people, and doing what you can to help those who need it most.

“It’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up,” he said. “The more we help others, the more they can help others, and kind of pay it forward.”

Since the first days of the United States labor movement, powerful, anti-worker forces have used a wide range of methods to try to divide the American working class. But one of the most devastating is also one of the most enduring myths in the corporate playbook: the lie of the immigrant that wants to steal your job.

In 2024, we saw this lie re-emerge with a vengeance from the Trump-Vance presidential campaign, which falsely accused Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, of eating their neighbors’ pets and used the tragic death of a child to malign an entire population of working-class people. (The young boy’s parents later decried their son’s death being used by Trump, Vance and others for political purposes.) The campaign and its allies rampantly accused “illegals” of flooding the southern border and taking work away from American citizens.

“We are all SMART members; united we bargain, divided we beg.”

Local unions and SMART members know better than anyone that yes, there are nonunion immigrant workers on jobsites in our communities. There are also undocumented people performing construction work, frequently while being blackmailed by their employer threatening to illegally use their immigration status against them.

Are those immigrants stealing our jobs? No.

The bad-faith contractor who would rather exploit people in desperate need of employment than sign a union contract — that’s who is stealing our jobs. The anti-worker employer who uses workers’ lack of familiarity with English to steal their wages and keep SMART members off the jobsite — that’s who is taking away our work hours.

In our union, we have a time-honored slogan: United we bargain, divided we beg. It’s a defining principle of our organization; one that we repeat proudly and that, in practice, has won our members strong contracts, family-sustaining benefits and a life with dignity.

The two key words in that sentence are “united” and “divided.” Make no mistake: The anti-immigrant lies spread joyfully by Trump, Vance and the U.S. corporate class are intended to divide us; to pit worker against worker, and to keep us from using our collective power to win victories in the face of the extraordinarily wealthy. As long as we are preoccupied by our immigrant neighbors, the elite know, we won’t focus on organizing more jobsites or bringing in more members to strengthen our union.

Our union, like many others, was built by members of immigrant communities — Irish, Italian, Portuguese and others. And just like today, those communities — many of whom are our familial ancestors, and on whose shoulders all of us stand — were demonized. They were labelled lazy, “illegal,” slovenly; discriminated against and, yes, categorized as foreigners stealing Americans’ jobs.

But those workers refused to be intimidated. They organized, and they grew the great organization that we proudly represent to this day.

In 2025, our union is made up of members who, either personally or ancestrally, come from all sorts of places: the United States, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Vietnam, China, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Haiti, El Salvador, Somalia and so many more. Every single one of those members, no matter their place of origin or their ancestry, is bonded by the solidarity of our union. We are all SMART members; united we bargain, divided we beg.

The same principle applies to workers who are not yet organized into our union.

If the immigrant worker who is being exploited on a nonunion jobsite is kicked off the job, that won’t fix the problem. That bad-faith contractor will find someone else to take advantage of. What can fix the problem is if we bring that worker into our union. When we bring those workers in, grow our union, expand our market share and force abusive employers to fall in line, we create more work for our members. And when huge projects create workforce demands for local unions — like in the Columbus, Ohio, area — those new members help us make sure those jobs are union built.

Election season may be over. But make no mistake — you will continue to hear about people from other countries coming to steal your job. For the good of your union and your work hours, don’t let that rhetoric win. Instead, let’s stand together and organize against the people who benefit from keeping us divided.

The SMART-SMACNA Partners in Progress Task Force met in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 25-26. Attendees, which included Local 25 (Northern New Jersey) Business Manager Joe Demark, Local 219 (Rockford, Illinois) Business Manager Joe Cook, Assistant to the General President Darrell Roberts and others, focused on labor-management strategies to secure and grow the future of the unionized sheet metal industry. Topics included maintaining sustainable growth, pro-union regulatory policies, recruitment and retention, and more.

Carr (left) with fellow SMART Women’s Committee member Annet Del Rosario.

North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) named SMART Local 276 (Victoria, British Columbia) and International Women’s Committee member Amy Carr one of four Tradeswomen Heroes Award-winners in September, noting her leadership, mentorship and ongoing efforts to make a difference in her union — and in the Canadian labour movement.

“Amy Carr is a trailblazing member of our SMART union,” Local 276 declared in its Tradeswomen Heroes nomination letter for Carr.

Carr made history when she joined Local 276 as one of the first women in commercial HVAC and welding systems. Now, she leads the metal fabrication department at Lewis Sheet Metal and devotes her free time to spreading the word about the trade, both as a part-time instructor at Camosun College — where she teaches sheet metal to first-year students — and by promoting her craft to school district programs across Victoria.

“Sister Carr is known for her strong community involvement,” the local wrote. “She joins mentorship programs, visits schools to share her knowledge, and supports not-for-profit groups like HeroWork. She also organizes Local 276’s annual car show, which raises money for our local children’s hospital. In 2018, The B.C. Construction Association gave Sister Carr a leadership award for her great work.”

Alongside mentoring, community service and instructional work, Carr dedicates herself to various committees intended to make the trades more welcoming and inclusive for all. She was a founding member of the B.C. Centre for Women in the Trades, a director at-large for the B.C. Tradeswomen Society and worked with the B.C. Construction Association to create the “Don’t Be a Tool” program.

“Sister Carr’s true strength is her infectious spirit in SMART, mentoring many and paving the way for future tradeswomen. Her current project, a mentorship program with the BC Construction Association, shows her commitment to nurturing talent from all backgrounds,” the local noted.

“[Her] achievements, support and mentorship make her a true Tradeswomen Hero, deserving of the NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes Award,” Local 276 wrote in its nomination.

Education Dept. hosts second annual Production Institute

The SMART Education Department held its second annual Production Institute in Indianapolis, Ind., during the week of September 9th — bringing SMART production members and leaders together to build knowledge, skills and camaraderie, and to strategize for the years ahead.

The Production Institute is a three-year, progressive-format class, with attendees from last year advancing to the second round of courses. A new first-year class attended this year, along with the returning 2023 group.

All classes included production-focused content in the core areas of collective bargaining, steward training, organizing and labor history. Attendees also learned about more timely issues in daily breakout sessions on topics such as labor/labour law updates, the open shop agenda and Project 2025, a MEMO focus group, bias and belonging, and the production salting program. Through interactive exercises, attendees were able to apply their knowledge and develop their skills while also getting to know their peers from across North America.

First-year class
Returning second-year class

New Representatives class helps latest crop of SMART leaders develop skills 

Newly elected and appointed SMART representatives traveled to Linthicum Heights, Md., during the week of September 16th, 2024, to build bonds and learn from one another in the SMART Education Department’s New Representatives I class. The new representatives worked in different groups on activities associated with topics like member misconduct, jurisdictional disputes, contract administration, pre-job meetings and crafting local union meeting reports. In addition, participants built a leadership growth plan to identify areas they would like to develop more as leaders and created specific goals around each item to help them grow throughout their careers.

Education Department hosts class on so-called “right to work” to boost member engagement, organizing

The SMART Education Department held its new “Right to Work and Member Retention” class in Detroit, Mich., during the week of September 30th. The class focused on the open shop movement, the impact of so-called right to work, strategies for improving membership retention, and the critical role that union leaders play in maintaining local union power.

Twenty-three participants from across our union worked together to problem solve and create action plans for their respective locals. The class also took time to celebrate the repeal of Michigan’s right-to-work law and the role that Michigan Locals 7 (Lansing), 80 and 292 (both Detroit) played in that process.

“Everyone’s hard work will help strengthen our union!” said SMART International Instructor Richard Mangelsdorf.