Author: dbanks

Home>Articles by: dbanks

SMART-TD GO-769 General Chairperson Rick Pauli is pleased to announce that his General Committee has reached a tentative agreement (TA) on April 1, 2025, with the TransitAmerica Services, Inc. (TASI) Conductors and Assistant Conductors for its over 150 members in Northern California.  

  

Some of the highlights of the tentative agreement will include: 

  

  • Retroactive pay from July 1, 2022. 
  • General Wage Increase will be as follows: July 1, 2022 – 5%, July 1, 2023 – 5%, July 1, 2024 – 5%. July 1, 2025 – 4.5%, July 1, 2026 – 4.5%. 
  • This total GWI over the five-year term will compound out to 26.4%.  
  • Modification of bereavement leave to include additional family members. 
  • Increase in the meal period on yard assignments. 
  • A modest increase in Health and Welfare premiums 

  

Overall, this is a great agreement, with very minimal work rule changes and a significant GWI that will certainly set a pattern for Commuter Railroads moving forward. I would like to thank the following people for making this TA possible – Local Chairperson 1732 Reggie Kesecker, Vice General Chairperson, John Vessels, and Secretary of GO-769, Javier Ramirez. I would also like to thank former GO-769 Secretary DeVar Thompson who initially started this process with the team. Without all of their help over these past few years, this TA would not have been possible. 

This ratification process will be conducted electronically through BallotPoint. Each member will receive instructions from them on how to cast your vote mailed to your address on file in the coming days. Please get with your Secretary/Treasurer to make sure your address, email and phone number is correctly updated in the system. 

Brother Juan Carrillo joined Tennessee Local 1308 on December,1 2024. He’s already saved a man’s life.  

A man lying on the tracks

Brother Carrillo was coming into Leewood Yard on March 15, which was completely full of trash as usual. Something black on the rail caught his eye.  
 
“The guy lifted his head…he was just laying on the rail long ways, wearing all black,” Carrillo remembered. “He had black hair. So we couldn’t notice him until he lifted up his head, and we started honking the horn.” It was too late to stop. 
 
“He was fully in the rail,” Carrillo added. “He must have woken up enough to try and roll out, but he didn’t quite get there.” The man disappeared beneath the train.

Life or Death

After the train stopped, Brother Carrillo gathered his gear and rushed to see if anything could be done. He vividly remembers what happened next.  
 
“I was looking on the side, because he was closer to the engineer side,” Carrillo said. “I get there and I see his foot. And then I look further forward. I go closer to check on him, and I wasn’t sure if he was alive or not. Then I noticed he’s breathing.” 
 
“I look at his leg, and it’s kind of shredded up… There was slight hesitation at the beginning just because I thought we had just completely killed [him], but once I saw he was alive, it just kicked right in that I needed to do something.” 

Military training pays off 

After seven years of active duty and as a current member of the National Guard, Brother Carrillo is confident that his military training and experience played a critical role in this situation.  
 
“Just from running through drills and stuff, you kind of get used to being around hectic situations,” Carrillo described. “It’s a lot easier to keep a calm head and to know what you need to do.” 

Keep calm and carry on 

Brother Carrillo’s advice for other members who happen to find themselves in a similar situation is simple: “If something like that happens, do your best to keep a calm head.” 

He didn’t have a string long enough to form a tourniquet, but he noticed the man’s lace-up boots.  
 
“I take off his boot lace, and I tie a knot on the end…wrap it around his leg or his thigh above where it’s cut off, put it through the knot and tighten it as hard as I can and just start wrapping to keep the pressure on,” Carrillo explained.  
 
Carrillo’s improvised solution stopped the man from bleeding to death.  

Lifesaving truth: train crews are always able to respond first 

This situation would have turned fatal without a qualified second crewperson in the cab of that train. 

Would Trip Optimizer notice the subtle movement of the man’s head or reacted with the same urgency? Could a remote operator jump off the head end and rush to render aid? Can an autonomous cargo unit improvise a tourniquet to wrap around the man’s severed leg? 
 
Further, would a solo engineer be required to man the cab until his Road Utility or roving conductor could drive in to assist? If the lone engineer wanted to help, how long would they be delayed securing their engines and other equipment first?  

These questions all have the same answer. The man would have bled out on the tracks before anyone could arrive to help. 

A fully manned locomotive is a life-saving necessity. Having a second set of eyes, hands, and instincts makes all the difference in a crisis.  

Thank you, Brother Carrillo, for your life-saving actions. Thank you for your service to our country and taking such decisive action in an emergency. Your SMART-TD family is proud to count you as one of our own!  

SMART News sits down with Greg Hynes, SMART-TD’s National Director of the Safety and Legislative Department, and Phil Qualy, retired Minnesota Safety and Legislative Director, to discuss the critical implications of proposed cuts within the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). 

As advocates for the hardworking men and women who keep our nation’s railroads moving, Greg and Phil highlight how these changes could delay essential services, increase processing times, and ultimately impact the financial security of current and future retirees along with every railroader that is furloughed or is out of work for medical reasons.  

Watch The Video Here

 As Women’s History Month draws to a close, take a moment to reflect on the strength, perseverance, and leadership of the women who are shaping our union. Let us be clear: this isn’t about shining a spotlight on a few people for the sake of a month-long observation. Their leadership is rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a woman in our traditionally male-dominated industries. 

Throughout March, SMART-TD shared the stories of women like the sisters of the White Pass Railroad, April Ford, Manda Snide, Rashonda Brown, Shakyia Ward, Jessica Martin, and Martha Claugus. These women are not just part of Women’s History Month, they are making history. Period. 

We hold our sisters up as trailblazers. These women do the job, work long hours, and lead the way. They are tough as nails, and the respect they receive is earned by proving time and again that they are made of the same grit as anyone else in the labor movement. 

History Will Remember Their Strength, The Future Will Know Their Example 

These women are paving the way for others to follow. Our union is filled with thousands of equally capable women, and we owe them our gratitude. Every shift they work, every safety issue they tackle, and every member they support strengthens the fabric of our union.  

The Real Story: Normalizing Women’s Leadership 

Others might use Women’s History Month to paint an idealized picture of what women could achieve in the workforce. But at SMART-TD aren’t here for possibilities, we’re here for realities. Our sisters are laying the groundwork for the future of our industry and of the labor movement in this country. Your impact matters twelve months of the year. 

They are the generation that normalized women in leadership roles, who proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can be a driving force on the job and in the labor movement. 

To our sisters who were featured in SMART News this month, we thank each and every one of you for sharing your stories and for showing what leadership looks like.  

March 24, 2025  — SMART-TD GO-769, led by General Chairperson Rick Pauli, has reached a tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services. Keolis employs 450 SMART-TD represented conductors and assistant conductors on behalf of the MBTA in Boston. 

If you are a Keolis employee please contact Secretary/Treasurer Cole Czub (cole.czub@yahoo.com) to verify your address, email and phone number as soon as possible.     

The ratification process will be conducted electronically through BallotPoint. Instructions for casting a ballot will be mailed to each member over the next few days.  

The tentative agreement includes: 

  •  Retroactive pay from July 1, 2023. 
  • Scheduled general wage increases (GWI): July 1, 2023 – 5%, July 1, 2024 – 5%, July 1, 2025 – 5%. July 1, 2026 – 5%, June 15, 2027 – 5% plus an additional $2.00 per hour. 
  • These increases compound to 32.69% for conductors and 33.51% for assistant conductors over the life of the agreement. 
  • Three (3) additional paid sick days per year. 
  • The addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday. 
  • The modification of vacation allotments for new employees within their first two years of service. 
  • Modification of bereavement leave to include additional family members. 

 These increases were negotiated with minimal work rule changes. The significant GWI increase provides a precedent for other commuter railroads moving forward.  

Pauli would like to thank Local 898 Chairpersons Cole Czub and Kenny Owens, Vice General Chairperson John Vessels, GO-769 Secretary Javier Ramirez and Vice President David Weir. Pauli would also like to thank former Local 898 Chairperson Wayne Thistle and former GO-769 Secretary DeVar Thompson for their contributions early in the process. Without their help this TA would not have been possible. 

Historic wage increases with no concessions

With an overwhelming vote of support on March 19, the members of SMART-TD Local 1887 proved once again that the power of our collective action is unmatched in securing lasting, meaningful change for rail workers. 

The third-generation agreement ratifies a record-breaking wage increase that puts compensation at the Birmingham Terminal Railway well above any other WATCO property, union or non-union. 

The agreement delivers a remarkable 26% General Wage Increase (GWI) over five years, which compounds to nearly 29% over the life of the contract. 

This redefines what’s possible for short-line rail workers across the industry. 

A wakeup call for nonunion railroaders 

If you work at a short line, know that you don’t have to go it alone. The SMART-TD family is here with the tools, leadership, and track record to help you win. 

This victory isn’t just about one location, SMART-TD is creating a movement. Workers are stronger, safer, and more secure with SMART-TD at their side. If you’re working under non-union conditions, take a hard look at what Local 1887 just accomplished and ask yourself: What could we do with SMART-TD on our side? 

Solidarity and proven SMART-TD strategy win better quality of life 

Lance Hollis, local chair for 1887, told SMART News that “Our members were focused on wage increases, and we made sure we got it!” Hollis added that he and all the members of 1887 were grateful for the leadership they saw from SMART-TD Vice President David Wier, Jr. and General Chair Tom Gholson. “Those guys really made it happen for us. They were right there with us, digging in and doing everything they could to make our lives better through this negotiation.” 

The agreement also guarantees lasting improvements on day-to-day quality of life: 

  • Guaranteed 8-hour pay for all basic day assignments, regardless of time on duty 
  • Solidified a permanent Utility position in the contract 
  • Carrier-required certification pay: When certification-required testing forces a member to miss a shift, the carrier now pays them a make-whole claim so they are not financially penalized for missing that day’s work.  
  • Most notably, they made all of this progress without giving a single concession! 

Tom Gholson, general chairperson of GCA-898 told SMART News, “This agreement is a statement. Our members deserve the best, and Hollis and his team at 1887 made sure they got it. Lance did a great job articulating what was important to his members. I’m just glad to have been a part of it and to have given this local the support system they needed to take the big swing they did. Lance and his team were the ones that made sure it landed!” 

Brother Gholson went on to say, “This contract is not just a win, it’s a blueprint for what short-line workers across the country can achieve when they stand together with SMART-TD.” 

Faced with substandard wages and grueling conditions, our brothers and sisters made the bold decision to unionize, and they’ve never looked back. This latest agreement proves, once again, that unionized short-line workers have the power to demand and secure a better future even those under the thumb of large companies like WATCO. 

SMART-TD Vice President David Wier, Jr. played a pivotal role in the negotiation. “David is the cream of the crop,” said Brother Gholson. “His experience with short line properties and calm, calculated approach gave us the edge we needed. His guidance, along with the fire of the local team, delivered a monumental win for our membership.” 

Vice President David Wier, Jr. remarked, “I would like to extend my profound gratitude to General Chairperson Tommy Gholson and Local Chairperson Lance Hollis for their assistance and tenacity at the bargaining table with BHRR.  With their assistance and resolve, we were able to achieve monumental wage increases and other significant improvements to the Agreement on behalf of the Membership at BHRR.” 

A call to action for railroaders everywhere 

The success at Local 1887 should serve as a wake-up call to workers at non-union WATCO, Genesee & Wyoming, Patriot Rail, and all other short-line crew bases: Together, we move forward. Together, we win. 

Interested in organizing your workplace? 
Reach out to the SMART-TD Organizing Department and start building the future you deserve. 

SMART-TD: Stronger Together.

Rashonda Brown and Shakyia Ward are both conductors for New Jersey Transit.  
 
They’re not just co-workers. They’re also mother and daughter.  
 
But even though the two women are related and work for the same agency, they’ve made it a priority to forge their own professional paths. 
 
“[My mom’s] the chairman of the North Division,” Sister Ward explained. “The first thing I did was go to the Hoboken division and qualified there. That was kind of a shocker because everybody assumed I would just go to the Northside and be under my mom. But it was kind of a thing where it was like I wanted to create my own identity. I didn’t want to just be Rashonda Brown’s daughter, and I wanted people to see that.” 
 
“Not only am I Rashonda Brown’s daughter, but I’m actually good at the job, too.”

Shoe Store Encounter Leads to a Job Offer

Back in 2000, Sister Brown was a single mom working as a hairdresser at a beauty parlor.  
 
Her sister (who is also a conductor for New Jersey Transit), encouraged her to fill out an application to join her, but she was convinced that she had no interest in being a train conductor. 
 
Several years later, Sister Brown was managing a shoe store at the mall. 
 
One day, her sister was there but so was the person who had just become the General Chairman for the conductors at New Jersey Transit at the time.  
 
The previous administration left him to figure things out on his own, and he was looking for an assistant to help him out.   
 
After telling her sister that she still wasn’t sure if the position would be a good fit for her, Sister Brown had a meeting with the General Chairperson and decided to give the role a shot, ultimately beginning her union journey. 
 
Three years later and with an election on the horizon for the General Chairman, he asked Sister Brown if she had ever thought about working in transit. 
 
Once again, she wasn’t sure, but he wanted to guarantee that she’d still have a job if he lost the election.  
 
Realizing that her personable nature would likely be an asset on the job, she made the switch and began working as a conductor.  
 
Her daughter’s story isn’t that much different. 
 
She was in nursing school, but went to work at a bank after realizing it wasn’t the career path she thought it would be.  
 
Then, her mom suggested that she come and work for the railroad. 
 
“I kept saying to her, “You know, we didn’t pay for college for you to be making $17 an hour,’” Sister Brown said. “I know you don’t want to work [on the railroad], but let’s just try it out and see what happens and when you find something better than the railroad, then you can leave. It’s been six years now.”  

Changing Times

Throughout both of their careers, the two women have seen lots of changes.  
 
“We have more women than we’ve ever had on this property,” Sister Brown pointed out. “I remember I was in a class of 18, and there were only about four women in that class. The boys’ club is kind of just dispersing a little because now you have more women. I’m trying to still make it better and leave it better for the people that still have to be here when I’m gone.” 
 
“I had a child while I was working on the railroad, and I feel like I was taken care of as far as maternity leave,” Sister Ward said. “I was able to actually spend time with my child, but it’s just small things that men don’t think about.” 
 
Not all the changes have been positive, though.  
 
“The other thing that has changed and this is just the world we live in now is that it’s real dangerous for us,” Sister Brown emphasized. “Our members are being attacked on a daily basis. I’ve never seen it the way it is, you know?” 
 
“There’s a little thought in the back of our head, like ‘Are we gonna make it home today?’” Sister Ward said. “A constant thought of being in public, not really knowing what everyone’s going through and how they may take what you may say or ask them.”

The Family Business

It’s not just the mother-daughter duo who work for New Jersey Transit.  
 
Several extended family members are also employed there, but that doesn’t mean that any of them were guaranteed hires. 
 
“I think the difference between people working for transit and other jobs is you don’t just get grandfathered into it, because of someone you know that works there,” Sister Brown explained. “You actually have to put in to work for yourself, because your mom can’t pass the test for you, right?” 
 
Even with her mom working for New Jersey Transit before she did, Sister Ward was still unsure about joining her on the rails.  

“I was a little apprehensive with my mom working here and coming home and telling me crazy stories,” she said. “I’m like ‘This can’t be real life. She has to be making this stuff up.’ But I actually enjoy working with my mom. I enjoy what she does. I enjoy seeing her grow in a company.”  
 
Sister Brown agrees. 
 
“That’s enough for me…just to have been a role model for her,” she said. “As a parent, you just want to also make sure your kids if, God forbid, anything happens to me today, I know that she has something that will be able to support her and my granddaughter. It’s not an easy job, but it’s a career that I have not regretted since I started.”  
 
  

SMART TD is aware that the new federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has published a list of seven Regional Offices of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) on their “Wall Of Receipts.” This means that they have decided to cancel the lease for these office locations as well as the leases of the buildings they are currently housed in.

The RRB offices that are scheduled to be closed are the following.

  1. Mesa, Arizona
  2. Joliet, Illinois
  3. Wichita, Kansas
  4. Scranton, Pennsylvania
  5. Covina, California
  6. Cincinnati, Ohio
  7. Jacksonville, Florida

You can use this Link to DOGE’s website to view the posting. From this website, you can find all seven of the listed RRB offices under the Real Estate Section of the “Wall of Receipts.”

SMART-TD is working with the RRB on this issue. The RRB has applied for an exemption from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to keep these offices open, and that request is currently pending GSA’s decision.

Our union’s National Safety and Legislative Department is working very quickly on Capitol Hill to convey the importance of the railroad retirement system and your access to it. We are also letting those in Washington know that the money used to support the RRB is your direct employee contributions and not federal tax dollars.

As this situation develops, SMART-TD will keep you informed. 

February 14, 2025: Celebration of Life Arrangements Announced

Arrangements for the celebration of life for Brother Steve Bryant (Local 1518, Indianapolis, IN) have been announced. All members of his union family are invited to attend.

The celebration will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church (5353 S McFarland Road. Indianapolis, IN) on March 9th, at 3:00 PM.

In honor of Steve, his family requests all attendees wear their favorite sports team’s jersey, a favorite concert shirt, or both!

BBQ will be served, which is what Steve was into. The family asks everyone to bring their favorite side dish or dessert and their favorite “Steve story.”

December 10, 2024:

It is with heavy hearts that SMART-TD announces the passing of Brother Steve Bryant, a beloved friend, co-worker, and union brother, who passed away on December 4, 2024. Steve, Local Chairperson of Local 1518, Indianapolis, IN, fought cancer with the same veracity he fought for his union brothers and sisters. Brother Bryant touched many lives throughout the union, and was known for his strength, compassion, and resilience by all who knew him.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice that supports cancer research or addiction recovery, causes that were close to Steve’s heart. If you wish to help his wife Kristi with Steve’s medical bills and the cost of his final expenses, please consider contributing to the GoFundMe page set up in Brother Bryant’s honor.  

Donate To Brother Bryant’s GoFundMe Fundraiser

Donations of any amount are welcome and will be a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself for the members of this union. SMART-TD asks our members to include their Local number along with their name, so that Kristi and the Bryant family can see the incredible impact Steve’s career had on the lives of members across the country. 

Steve always put others before himself. As the Local Chair and Secretary of Local 1518, he dedicated countless hours to serving his fellow union members. His unwavering commitment to his colleagues and the labor movement made a lasting impact, and his leadership was marked by tremendous success in helping others navigate complex issues at work. 

Outside of his union duties, Steve was a constant support to those around him, especially those struggling with addiction. He provided guidance and compassion to anyone who needed it, showing a deep understanding of the challenges faced by others. His ability to empathize and provide a helping hand made him a source of strength for many. 

Steve is survived by his wife, Kristi Bryant, their children and grandchildren. Steve took immense pride in serving his household, and he cherished every moment spent with his loved ones.  

Brother Bryant will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

As those who worked with Brother Bryant know well, Steve loved going to concerts. His advice to all that would listen was, “Life is short. Buy the tickets!” It wasn’t just a catchphrase; it was the way Brother Bryant lived his life. He lived it to the fullest. He might not have been here for as long as any of us would have liked but make no mistake about it. Steve didn’t cheat himself out of living. That is a part of his legacy that we should all remember. We should all be a little more like Brother Bryant. Give of our time and talents to one another in the name of this brotherhood and always remember that life is indeed short. Buy The Tickets! 

What is SB 723?

SB 723 is a proposed Oregon law requiring all freight trains in the state to operate with a minimum

crew size of two individuals. This bill seeks to codify a long-standing industry practice to ensure

rail safety for workers, communities, and the environment.

Why is SB 723 Important?

● Safety First

○ A two-person crew ensures quick and efficient responses to everyday issues,

including mechanical failures, equipment malfunctions, and grade-crossing incidents.

○ In the event of derailments or grade-crossing accidents, having two crew members

allows for immediate action, such as coordinating with emergency responders and

addressing public safety concerns.

● Proven Industry Norm

○ Two-person crews are the overwhelming standard in the rail industry and have not

negatively affected the financial or operational performance of rail carriers.

○ Railroads using the two-person crew model have consistently reported record

breaking revenues and profits over recent decades.

● Precedent in Other States

○ SB 723 is not breaking new ground. Eleven states, including nearby Washington

and Nevada, already enforce some form of crew-size requirements for freight

trains.

● Protecting Communities

○ Leaving crew size decisions to collective bargaining risks sacrificing essential

safety measures, putting rail workers and local communities in harm’s way. Safety

isn’t something to negotiate—it needs to be protected by law to ensure everyone

stays safe, no matter what.

○ It is the fundamental duty of the legislature to safeguard the well-being of the

people and uphold their will. By enacting laws that prioritize safety and reflect

public interests, legislators fulfill their responsibility to protect communities and

ensure a government that serves its citizens.

● Widespread Public Support

○ Past polling shows that 85% of Americans support legislation mandating two-person

train crews. Support spans all political affiliations:

■ 82% of Republicans

■ 83% of Independents

■ 90% of Democrats

○ During the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (NPRM) on train crew size, over 13,500 public comments were

submitted. The overwhelming majority supported the implementation of a final rule

requiring a minimum of two-person crews for freight and passenger trains. Only 64

comments opposed the rule. This strong public support highlights a widespread

consensus on the importance of maintaining safety standards through adequate

crew sizes.

● Key Benefits of SB 723

o Strengthens public safety by reducing risks in accidents or derailments.

o Aligns Oregon with other states adopting modern, standardized rail safety

measures.

o Protects workers, local communities, and emergency responders.

o Reinforces a long-standing industry practice without adding financial or operational

burdens to rail carriers.

Conclusion

SB 723 is a commonsense, bipartisan solution to improve rail safety in Oregon. It codifies a

practice that has served the rail industry and communities well for decades while ensuring that

the safety of workers and residents is never compromised.

Support SB 723 — Keep Oregon’s Railways Safe and Secure