On the evening of November 15, Norfolk Southern conductor Brian McLucas was at work when he received a call that no one wanted to get: his home in Morrow, Ohio was on fire.
Fortunately, his wife, Ashley, and their two young daughters were able to escape quickly and safely, but the house and everything inside of it is a total loss.
As the holiday season quickly approaches, Brother McLucas (Local 1190, Ludlow, KY) and his family are now facing a devastating situation.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the McLucas family start over and ensure that their girls are able to enjoy a joyous holiday season. Any help would be appreciated if you are financially able and willing to donate.
The McLucas family are beloved members of the Little Miami community and are known for their commitment to making their town a better place, participating in Fourth of July celebrations and Halloween events.
Thank you for demonstrating once again how our union steps up when one of our own is in need, especially during the holidays.
Bringing Railroader Grit and Union Values to Local Government
TAMA, IOWA —Brother Chris Smith, SMART-TD’s Iowa Safety & Legislative Director,is taking his trademark fight for working people from the rail yards to City Hall. Smith was elected to an at-large seat on the Tama, Iowa City Council in his first-ever campaign for public office.
Public service runs deep in Smith’s blood. His father served the City of Tama in the same role for 18 years. Watching his dad work to make Tama a better place through the 1990s left a lasting impression. “Seeing my dad serve taught me just how many people one person could help in that position,” Smith told SMART News. “He was pragmatic and saved the city a lot of tax dollars by applying common sense to the issues it faced. I want to bring that same mentality back to my community.”
That sense of responsibility rooted in honesty, hard work, and accountability is what drives Smith both as a union leader and now as a public servant. “I look at the city’s budget just like I do our members’ dues money,” he said. “I know how hard our members work for every dollar, and as an officer of SMART-TD, I take pride in being a good steward of their contributions. Local governments owe taxpayers that same respect.”
From the Statehouse to City Hall: The Same Relentless Advocate
Since taking over as State Legislative Director (SLD) for SMART-TD in Iowa, Brother Smith has built a reputation as a passionate, no-nonsenseadvocate for rail workers. He’s known in the statehouse for being “nobody’s yes man.” Whether challenging bad legislation or demanding accountability from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, Smith’s approach is grounded in one principle: the people he represents deserve results, not lip service.
He’s taken Iowa’s State Legislative Board from a difficult financial position to solid ground, proving his ability to manage resources and make every dollar count. It’s that same discipline and fight he now brings to the City of Tama.
Fighting for Accountability
Smith’s journey into local politics started when he challenged a proposed 24% property tax hike. When city officials failed to provide clear answers about how the extra money would be spent, Smith showed up at a council meeting to demand transparency. “I wanted them to be accountable for every dollar they were asking for,” he recalled. “By the end of that meeting, the proposed increase dropped from 24% to 16%. That’s when I realized that using a little accountability and common sense could make a big difference — and that I had more work to do.”
As Smith continued attending meetings, his railroader’s instinct for practical problem-solving kicked in again. This time, he had to play defense when Union Pacific Railroad came knocking. The railroad offered Tama a one-time payout to close one of its five crossings, which city leaders initially viewed as a financial windfall. But Smith wasn’t fooled.
Drawing on 20 years as a conductor and brakeman, he knew that nothing is as good as the railroad makes it out to be. He took it on himself to find the flaws in the deal, and it wasn’t hard! UP’s offer was eight times less than what it had paid a neighboring city for a similar closure, and the proposed shutdown would have cut off part of Tama from emergency services. Even worse, the city would have incurred a financial loss after investing in quiet zone upgrades that UP had no intention of reimbursing.
Once Smith laid out the facts, the city reversed course and refused to get “railroaded” by a bad deal. It was a defining moment for Brother Smith and the taxpayers of Tama. “That’s when I knew I had to step up,” he said.
A Railroader’s Approach to Public Service
For Smith, running for City Council wasn’t about personal ambition or padding his bank account (Tama City Council pays $25 a half); it was about duty. “Instead of being the noisy guy in the back with ideas on how other people could do the job better, I decided to do the job myself,” he said.
When he takes office in January 2026, Tama will have a new kind of local leader, one who treats taxpayer money with the same integrity he brings to managing union funds, and who won’t bow to pressure from big corporations or political elites.
“I’m bringing the SMART-TD mentality to City Hall,” Smith said. “If one of us doesn’t count, then none of us count. I’ll fight for my community the same way I fight for our members.”
With a proven record of financial stewardship, political courage, and a deep respect for working people, Brother Chris Smith is poised to make sure that the City of Tama, Iowa remains in the hands of those who truly care about its people.
Brother Smith’s success shows what can happen when SMART-TD members bring their values, work ethic, and sense of accountability into public service. If you’re a member interested in running for office, whether it’s local, state, or national, SMART-TD’s Safety and Legislative Department is ready to help. We have tools to assist with targeting and messaging in all types of races, just like the ones Chris used in his campaign. Every time one of our members steps into the political arena, our union’s voice grows stronger. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and take that first step toward making a difference in your community.
As healthcare costs climb across the country, SMART-TD members under the National Freight Rail Agreement are in a uniquely secure position. While the vast majority of America braces for record-breaking premium hikes, at $308.49 per month, railroaders’ 2026 monthly healthcare contributions remain slightly below the $309.21 that went into effect in 2023.
It is understandable that none of us are celebrating our monthly contributions going up by almost $31 in 2026, but the fact that the carriers’ rates (and therefore our contributions) have remained at or below the same level for four consecutive years is astonishing.
Monthly Out of Pocket Premiums by Year
Even more impressive is the fact that the vast majority of organized rail labor – including most SMART-TD members – have ratified agreements that provide added health & welfare benefits.
By comparison, many hard-working Americans are being forced to absorb unsustainable rate hikes in 2026. But before we get to that, let’s keep in mind the fact that our healthcare benefits are better than literally anything that can be bought on the open market. The closest thing that can compare is a “Platinum” level plan under the open market, and the out-of-pocket costs for getting care under those plans still fall short of our nationally negotiated benefits.
A National Perspective: What the Rest of America Is Paying
In March 2025, Forbes Magazine published data showing the steep cost of healthcare for Americans under unsubsidized private marketplace plans. The report, based on Healthcare.gov data, revealed the following average monthly premiums:
2025 Premiums by Age (average unsubsidized platinum plan)
By comparison, SMART-TD rail members will pay a flat rate of $308.49 per month in 2026, regardless of their age and regardless of how many dependents are on their plan. Even the youngest workers who benefit from lower private insurance rates will pay nearly 40% more than they would under our healthcare plan.
Moreover, as a result of Congress not allocating funding to subsidize some of those costs, the average American with private health insurance is expected to see a 26% increase in their 2026 premiums!
This results in a 21-year-old railroader under our national agreement having $6,018 in his/her pocket at the end of the year, and our 60-year-old members will have saved $22,662 by the end of 2026. Both of these numbers are in comparison to what they would have paid in premiums compared to the private plan that is the closest to matching our benefit level.
But That’s Private Insurance. What About Other Employer-Sponsored Plans?
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s (KFF) 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey, the average employee contribution for family coverage went from $543.25 per month in 2023, to $570.83 per month in 2025.
That trend is expected to continue at the same rate into 2026 and beyond. Keep in mind that these numbers are also for average healthcare plan benefits – not our exceptional railroad benefits. Railroaders’ costs went from $309.21 per month in 2023, to $308.49 per month in 2026.
Another interesting statistic provided by the KFF is that in 2025, the average non-Union employee paid a 29% contribution toward premiums for family coverage, while the average Union employee paid 21%. SMART-TD national railroad members pay only 15%.
So What Gives? What Makes us Different?
Aside from the obvious – our strong Union and our collective bargaining process – our overall funding and rates have remained stable for several factors. Some of those factors are beyond our control, such as the number of complex cases and high ($1M+) claims, and the overall economic health of our country. Many other factors are in fact under our control, including how we jointly manage our healthcare plans with the Carriers. There are constant decisions being made behind the scenes that do not have any visible impact on our members but can save (or sometimes recover) healthcare plan spending to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
In fact, many members are unaware that the premiums for our healthcare plan increased by 1.8% in 2024, by another 3.3% in 2025, and by another 8.7% for 2026. However, we were able to reach agreements with the Carriers to use hundreds of millions in savings to not only offset but completely cancel out and reverse those increases.
But our Healthcare Used to be FREE! We Didn’t Have to Pay Anything! What Happened?
It’s true that we didn’t have to make monthly contributions long ago, however, our healthcare benefits have never been free. Back in 1954-1955, the Unions that later merged to form the UTU each negotiated agreements that provided an option for each General Committee (by vote of its members) to join a group healthcare insurance plan. For opting-in to that healthcare plan, the members gave up a portion of the hourly wage increases in those agreements. Adjusted for inflation, and assuming a 40-hour work week at the Yard Foreman rate, the 2025 equivalent of those wages is $124.89 per month. With those agreements, every single General Committee chose the healthcare coverage over the wage increases. It was a no-brainer.
As for our monthly contributions, copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums, the Unions never agreed to them. They were imposed in 1991 by Presidential Emergency Board #219. Not only did PEB #219 impose these costs, but it also required that these issues be open to further negotiations in all rounds of future bargaining. It’s something that we’ve had to face ever since, and it will continue to come up, whether we like it or not (we don’t).
The fact is that yes, we are paying more out of pocket for our healthcare than we did in decades past, but that statement alone does not tell the whole story. The Carriers are also paying more – a disproportionately higher amount – and over the decades our agreements have provided wage increases that more than make up for our out of pocket healthcare costs.
Perspective and Pride
From groceries to utilities, inflation has affected every corner of the American household budget, and healthcare has been one of the most volatile costs of all. Thanks to strong national bargaining and responsible management of our benefits, SMART-TD members have been shielded on this front.
So while the 2026 adjustment represents a modest correction from the historic out-of-pocket reduction in 2025, it’s worth emphasizing what sets us apart:
Our members are paying less in 2026 than in 2023.
No age-based or family coverage surcharges. Everyone pays the same low rate.
We remain far below national averages, even for the youngest and healthiest Americans.
The Bottom Line
In all reality, it is reasonable to expect healthcare costs to increase over time. It’s an unfortunate reality that all Americans have faced for decades and will continue to face until (or unless) Congress does something to fix it. It would be foolish to believe that on a long enough timeline, our healthcare costs aren’t going to increase. It would be equally foolish to believe that SMART-TD will fail to secure wage increases and other improvements that will more than offset those added costs.
In the meantime, we remain committed to responsibly managing our healthcare benefits, while also fighting for improvements and finding ways to lower costs. It’s a fight we are accustomed to, because we have been doing it since the mid-1950’s. We have a long, proud track record of proven results, and we have no intention to let up in that fight.
* Year-over-year ACA averages are based on Forbes published 2025 average for a 30-year-old with a platinum plan, modified by year-over-year premium changes as published by the state of Colorado for their healthcare marketplace. “Statewide increases were 5.6% in 2025, 9.7% in 2024, 10.4% in 2023 and 1.1% in 2022.” Actual rates for your state may vary.
The Massachusetts Senate will vote on a crucial bill tomorrow (Thursday, November 6) at approximately 11:00 a.m.
If your schedule allows, please attend tomorrow’s hearing to remind legislators that our transit brothers and sisters deserve the strongest protections possible.
The bill, S. 2531, ensures that public and private transit workers receive the same protection from violent assaults as public employees. Rising violence in public transit is a problem that’s too common nationwide.
“We’ve got the momentum on our side, but we can’t let up now,” said SMART-TD’s New England Safety and Legislative Director Dave Stevenson. “With the help of our SMART-TD family, I’m confident that we can get this legislation over the finish line and make it clear that transit safety is an urgent issue. Let’s get this done!”
SMART-TD members are asked to attend the hearing to show our support for the legislation.
On October 22, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed its version of the bill by a vote of 160-0, sending a clear message that lawmakers see the urgent need for this legislation. Support for the bill in the Senate is strong, but no lawmakers’ vote can be taken for granted. If passed tomorrow, the bill will be one step closer to being signed into law.
Make the Punishment Fit the Crime
S. 2531 guarantees that contracted transit employees, such as Keolis Commuter Services conductors, engineers, and onboard crews, are granted the same legal protections against assaults as their counterparts working directly for public transit authorities.
Currently assault on a public employee in Massachusetts carries a penalty of up to 120 days in jail or a maximum $5,000 fine
If passed, the bill would ensure that this same punishment would also apply to transit workers employed by private companies like Keolis, which employs over 500 SMART-TD members.
S. 2531 also adds “bodily fluids” to the definition of an assault, which imposes strong incentives for passengers assaulting our members with their spit or urine.
Assaults on Keolis Employees Continue to Rise
Cole Czub, chairperson of Local 898 and vice chairperson of SMART-TD’s Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee, points out that this isn’t an issue that exists in a vacuum: it’s a real problem that our members face every day.
“I refuse to let our SMART-TD brothers and sisters who work for Keolis fall through the cracks because of an unintended loophole in the current law,” said Czub. “If passage of this bill results in one less headline about yet another violent attack on public transportation, that’s a win for transit safety across the country.”
SMART News has covered the issue of transit assault in-depth, and we will continue to highlight this glaring problem until all bus and transit operators can perform their jobs with the utmost professionalism in the safest environment possible.
Passage of this bill gets us one step closer to one day making that a reality.
Support S. 2531 and help strengthen transit safety in New England!
TRENTON, N.J. — November 4, 2025. (Election Day) On this Election Day, one of the most energetic and inspiring Get Out the Vote efforts in the country is being led by none other than SMART-TD’s New Jersey and Delaware Safety and Legislative Director Ron Sabol.
In addition to his duties with SMART-TD, Brother Sabol serves as Vice President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, the Secretary Treasurer of the Mercer County Central Labor Council, the President of the New Jersey Society for Environmental and Economic Development, and as a member of the Mercer County Advisory Council on Special Transportation.
A Get Out the Vote Effort Rooted in Labor Values
Brother Sabol’s mission is to put people who come from and stand with labor. This is not about political parties; it’s about principles. It’s about putting people who understand the struggles, values, and dignity of working families into public offices at every level.
Sabol is campaigning out of IBEW Local 269’s hall in Trenton, New Jersey. He is working with the President of the Mercer County Central Labor Council, Michelle Liebtag (CWA Local 1036), coordinating an impressive, multi-union operation. More than 500 union members organized in two shifts are canvassing neighborhoods, driving voters to the polls, and making calls to ensure labor’s candidates and priorities are well-represented in today’s Garden State elections.
The morning shift included SMART-TD and SMART members alongside electricians from the IBEW, plumbers and pipefitters, and painters. As the day progressed, reinforcements from AFSCME and the CWA joined for an afternoon push.
The effort has drawn attention and support from major figures in the state. New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy lent her energy and voice to the during the morning push. Later in the day, Lieutenant Governor candidate Dale Caldwell, who’s running alongside SMART-TD ally CongresswomanMikie Sherrill, joined our volunteers to thank labor members for their dedication and tireless work.
Liz Shuler, the President of the nation’s largest labor federation, the AFL-CIO, got involved in Ron’s effort and came to the IBEW hall to deliver a message to our people to keep the fight up all the way until the polls close tonight.
AFL-CIO National President Liz Shuler Rallies the troops at NJ’s Labor GOTV operation
Supporting Labor Candidates from the Ground Up
This effort initially began in support of Mikie Sherrill’s gubernatorial campaign, who is a proven ally of New Jersey’s transportation trades workers. Sabol and his team have expanded their focus to campaign for additional labor candidates running at the county, city, and state levels.
“Ronnie knows that labor’s strength isn’t just in the workplace—it’s at the ballot box,” said Jared Cassity, SMART-TD’s National Safety & Legislative Director. “He’s showing us what it looks like when labor stands together, works together, and votes together.”
These campaigns support union brothers and sisters who have taken their experience in the labor movement and are now stepping up to lead in public office.
Left: Brother John Shea III (AFL-CIO COPE Director) Right: SMART-TD New Jersey SLD Ron Sabol
Leading by Example: A Call to Action
Our union’s power grows when we engage in our democracy. That means knocking on doors, driving voters to the polls, or even running for office yourself! One great example of this is our SMART Brother out of Sheet Metal Local 27, John Wittington. Brother Wittington is on the ballot in East Windsor, New Jersey, where he is using his know-how as a Business Agent for Local 27 to help his effort to run for Town Council. You don’t have to run for Governor to make a difference! Labor’s voice matters most when it’s active, visible, and united.
SMART-TD encourages all members who have an interest in public service at any level, from any political party, to reach out to their State Legislative Board or the SMART-TD National Legislative Department for guidance, mentorship, and support.
Today in Mercer County, the future is being built by union hands and led by one of our own.
Thank you, Brother Sabol, for showing us what labor leadership looks like in action.
SMART-TD members in Santa Monica and the surrounding areas are asked to turn out in full force on Monday morning to support Local 1785 Sister Nydia Sandoval, who was brutally assaulted on the job two weeks ago.
Her attacker, Ryan Harvey, is scheduled for a court appearance on Monday, November 3 at 8:30 a.m. PT, and local leadership wants to make sure our union is well-represented to send a clear and unmistakable message: You don’t get to assault one of our own and walk away.
The hearing will be held at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (210 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles), and we urge all SMART and SMART-TD members who are able to stand with our union sister in solidarity.
Recent Attack is Sandoval’s Fourth
A bus operator for the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Sister Sandoval was sucker-punched in the face by Harvey while she was trying to stop him from robbing and harassing two other women on her bus.
As she told SMART News, this is the fourth time that Sister Sandoval has been the victim of an assault on duty. She has been sexually assaulted by a passenger, she has been hit, and at one point, a bus she was driving had its windows broken out by a man wielding a hatchet. This most recent attack left a gash on her face that required eight stitches.
Your Presence is Power
Having our members turn out in full force at Monday’s hearing makes it clear to the court and the community that assaults on transit professionals will never be ignored, minimized, or tolerated.
Union leaders deliver experience, reassurance, and the power of solidarity to the next generation of railroaders.
McDONOUGH, Ga. — On Tuesday, Oct. 28, SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson, along with a delegation of national, general committee, and local leaders, joined Norfolk Southern (NS) new hires at the company’s McDonough Training Center. The impromptu town hall brought together 97 fourth- and fifth-week trainees with the union that will have their backs every step of their careers.
Building Bridges with the Next Generation of TD Members
The event was made possible thanks to brothers: Kelvin Hill and Greg Glenn. Both men are longtime NS employees and fixtures in the Atlanta area and Local 1245. Leading by example, Hill and Glenn go above and beyond to make sure new hires understand not just their job duties, but also the lifestyle, expectations that come with a railroad career, and the support that’s a hallmark of their membership in SMART-TD.
Brother Hill serves as a local chairperson and local safety and legislative representative, while Brother Glenn serves as a local chairperson and 2nd vice president of his General Committee. Together, the two have a long-standing agreement with Norfolk Southern to meet privately with every class of new trainees during their fifth week of instruction.
Merger Agreement Creates Stability for Trainees
When recent news of the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger sparked understandable anxiety among the trainees, Hill and Glenn saw an opportunity. With SMART-TD’s Regional Training Seminar (RTS) taking place nearby in Atlanta this week, they reached out to arrange a special visit. Their goal was simple: to get answers for our new brothers and sisters straight from the top.
“Over the past few weeks, a lot of these men and women have been worried about what’s next for them,” Hill told SMART News. “Greg and I knew that if we could get our leadership in the room, (the people who are actually at the negotiating table), it could give these new brothers and sisters the clarity and confidence they deserve.”
Their initiative quickly grew into a unionwide show of solidarity. Joining the session were President Jeremy Ferguson, Vice President Brent Leonard, NS General Chairpersons Tommy Gholson (GCA 898) and Nick Greficz (GCA 687), several vice general chairpersons, a few local chairpersons and other local officers who were in town for the RTS training.
By the time the Q&A began the room was filled with experience, leadership and genuine care for the next generation of railroaders.
“This went way beyond what I imagined,” Hill said. “These brothers and sisters haven’t even been to their home terminal yet. They haven’t been to a single local meeting and haven’t paid one dollar in union dues. And there they were, sitting in a private meeting with the president of the entire union, hearing directly from the leaders who can answer questions about the exact terminals they’ll be working in. It was absolutely next level.”
Turning Uncertainty into Empowerment
President Ferguson addressed the trainees directly, answering questions about SMART-TD’s historic “Jobs for Life” agreement, a deal he personally fought to secure with Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Should the merger go through, the agreement guarantees job security for union members from now until the day they choose to retire.
“I’m proud that we’ve made real progress toward giving you something no generation before you has had. That’s true job security,” Ferguson told the group. “But with that gift comes responsibility. You’ve got a career ahead of you and right now, your focus should be on learning how to stay safe doing it. Learn the rules, build good work habits, and keep your awareness sharp. We’ve helped make sure you’ve got jobs for life — now it’s up to you to make sure you’re not cutting that life short.”
He also reminded the trainees that the work SMART-TD does nationally is possible because members stay active locally. “When you get to your terminals, get involved in your local. Ask questions. Be informed. You’re part of something much bigger than just a job. You’re part of a movement.”
Assistant Director of Organizing Andy Goeckner also took the opportunity to congratulate the trainees on their progress and to welcome them into the SMART-TD family.
“You don’t have jobs anymore,” Goeckner told them. “You all have careers. And in addition to that, you have a family in SMART-TD that’s here to make sure you never lose it. The future of this industry depends on people like you. And our job is to make sure that future is secure, safe, and strong.” The event also received support from Jason Myers, who oversees the McDonough Training Center for Norfolk Southern. Myers helped Brothers Hill and Glenn make the meeting possible.
As the meeting concluded, the sense of unity in the room was undeniable. What began as a simple idea by Brothers Hill and Glenn had evolved into a powerful moment of connection between SMART-TD’s leadership and its newest members.
Welcome to the SMART-TD Family
“This is what unionism looks like,” Hill said. “From the president of the whole organization down to the newest trainee, everyone in that room was pulling in the same direction.”
The men and women who attended that session are stepping into their railroad careers with a rare advantage. Thanks to the Jobs for Life agreement, their path is more stable than those who came before them. But as President Ferguson and the leadership team reminded them, stability doesn’t mean complacency. It means responsibility.
It means learning the craft, working safely, and honoring the generations who fought to make this progress possible. It means carrying the SMART-TD legacy forward, stronger than ever.
CSX Transportation has requested that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) allow it to continue hiding behind its five-year waiver that relieved it of the requirement to physically post workplace injury and illness reports in crew rooms.
This waiver was granted in 2020 on the condition that CSX would ensure equal access to this information. They didn’t. They haven’t. And they had five years to get it right.
Instead, they want to keep injury reports buried in an electronic system that, as every railroader already knows, most crew members cannot easily access while on duty. SMART-TD told the FRA the real story.
Visible, Posted Safety Reports are Important
Before CSX won their 2020 waiver, those injury and illness postings hung on the same bulletin boards as job briefings, safety alerts, and the rest of the information crews rely on as part of their daily rhythm. Those postings served a significant purpose:
They sparked conversations.
They created impromptu safety huddles.
Crews shared best practices to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
They served as real-time reminders of what was happening across the system.
Those postings were living safety tools. They provided peer-to-peer education and accountability that stared everyone (including management) in the face.
Jared Cassity, SMART-TD’s National Director of Safety and Legislative Affairs, spent 14 years as both a conductor and locomotive engineer with CSX. He has seen firsthand how CSX corporate culture views safety.
“I hired out on CSX. I know the difference between a safety tool and a corporate smokescreen. Removing those postings didn’t ‘modernize’ a thing. It silenced conversations, buried accountability, and put every railroader at greater risk. CSX didn’t fail to meet the waiver conditions by accident. They failed because transparency was never their goal to begin with.”
And now they want another five years? That is not how this works.
CSX Broke the Deal. You Called Them Out.
When CSX asked to extend the waiver, they had already missed the FRA’s filing deadline by 3 months and 26 days. If one of our members missed a federal rule by a fraction of that, discipline would be swift and severe. CSX shrugged it off as a typo in their paperwork.
SMART-TD did not shrug. We called it out with hard data gathered directly from the men and women living and working under this waiver.
In less than a week, SMART-TD surveyed over 1,000 CSX members across the system to ensure the FRA heard the voices from the ground louder than thecorporate spin from CSX’s Jacksonville headquarters.
Survey Says: CSX Failed
The survey results confirmed that CSX did not uphold the conditions of the waiver.
They did not ensure access to the monthly on-duty injury/illness information.
They did not train employees on how to obtain it.
They did not consistently post the required instructions on where to find it.
The numbers in the survey data are disgraceful for a carrier that claims safety is its “#1 priority,” (Funny how they always say that after someone is injured).
Safety Waiver had Terrible Consequences.
Since CSX forced workers into this “electronic-only” shell game, the FRA’s own safety data shows an increase in CSX’s accidents and injuries while the rest of the Class I railroads trended down. If CSX thought hiding injury information would hide their safety problem, they were wrong.
Injuries are up. Fatalities continue. Transparency is down.
SMART-TD’s Message to FRA: Do the Right Thing
As a union, we told the FRA exactly what needed to be said:
A waiver that is not honored cannot be extended.
If the FRA allows CSX to continue down this road after five years of broken promises, then the message to every Class I is clear: Waiver conditions don’t matter. Safety transparency doesn’t matter. Workers’ access to critical information doesn’t matter. Promise the government regulators whatever they need to hear, then do whatever you want!
We refuse to accept that, and we trust the FRA won’t either.
“If FRA rubber-stamps this extension, they’re telling every railroad in America that safety rules are optional and honesty is negotiable.” Cassity warned. “CSX is daring the FRA to prove that it actually prioritizes safety and not carrier convenience. For the sake of every railroader in this country, the FRA better not blink.”
To Our Members: You Are the Power Behind This Fight
To every CSX SMART-TD member who spoke up, who took that survey, and who continues to report violations: thank you! You are the reason we remain a relevant and significant voice in rail safety.
This is how we win: together. By sharing what’s happening on the ground. By refusing to be silenced or sidelined. By demanding the safety and transparency you deserve.
This union will continue to defend you unapologetically, aggressively, without hesitation, and in the language railroaders know best: straightforward, honest, and unfiltered.
Because when it comes to safety, we aren’t negotiating with corporate PR teams, lawyers, and lobbyists. We are fighting for your safety and well-being.
SMART-TD will always stand on the side of the men and women who do the work.
Stay vigilant. Stay vocal. Stay united.
Decatur, IL — SMART-TD is asking all members to rally to help support Brother Drew Morris, a conductor for Canadian National Railroad out of Local 453 (Clinton, IL).
Morris was riding the point of a shove move with only one tank car across a clear road crossing in an industrial area. What should have been a routine two-second move ended in tragedy.
In an instant, everything changed.
A semi-truck came out of a business adjacent to the tracks and attempted to beat the train. The vehicle collided with the ladder on the tank car Morris was riding, crushing him between the tank car and the truck. Those on the scene feared the worst, but miraculously, the 42-year-old conductor survived.
What Now
His recovery will be long, difficult, and uncertain.
Local 453’s Legislative Representative, and Vice Chairman of SMART-TD’s Illinois Legislative Board, Jarrod Hudson told SMART News that “When I’m not at work for the CN, I work fire and rescue. I see a lot of crazy things in that line of work, but when it’s one of my own brothers, it just hits different.”
In order to help Brother Morris, Hudson and the members of Drew’s home local have established the Andrew Morris Benefit Fund to help provide some financial stability for Morris and his family.
The fund is being operated by the Busey Bank, and donations can be made by mail, or at any of their locations throughout, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri.
To contribute to Drew Morris’s recovery fund mail a check payable to the ANDREW MORRIS BENEFIT FUND to any branch of the Busey Bank. The closest branch to Brother Morris’s residence is located at 909 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL 61821.
“What happened to Drew could have happened to any of us. We’re grateful he’s still with us,” Hudson said. “As his union brothers and sisters, there are only two things we can do in situations like this one. First, we can fight like hell to get changes made to make sure it doesn’t happen again to anyone else. The second thing we can do is circle the wagons around Drew and take care of him as best we can as a union family, as he is going through this. At Local 453, you can bet we’re going to do both.”
Not Everyone is Awake at the Switch
What happened to Brother Morris wasn’t the result of carelessness, a bad move, or a broken rule on his part. He was doing his job the right way when someone else made a reckless decision that changed his life forever. This could have happened to any of us.
Doing our jobs safely isn’t always enough. We have to remain constantly alert to the actions of others. Whether we’re flagging, riding, or shoving across a road, we can’t assume drivers will stop, wait, or even notice us.
Let’s stand together for Brother Morris and his family, through our donations, through our solidarity, and by recommitting ourselves to vigilance and safety every time we’re on the ground.
From all of us at SMART-TD: We stand with Brother Morris, Local 453, and every railroader who faces danger on the job. We are one union, one family, and when one of us is hurt, we all feel it.
Trenton, NJ — In today’s political climate, where divisions often run deep, SMART-TD remains steadfast in its commitment to being a nonpartisan union. We judge leaders not by their political party, but by their votes, their ideas, their character, and their actions that impact transportation workers and the labor movement as a whole.
By every possible measure, Congresswoman and Gubernatorial Candidate Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey stands as the very definition of being with us.
Let us be clear: this is not a statement made against her opponent, Jack Ciattarelli. However, when it comes to identifying those who have consistently shown up for our members, who understand our issues, and who have earned our trust through action, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill sets the standard.
A Record That Speaks for Itself
Mikie Sherrill’s record proves it:
She has voted 100% of the time in favor of two-person freight crews (2-PC) in every opportunity she’s had in Congress.
In 2022, she voted to guarantee paid sick leave for every railroaderacross the country.
She’s been a driving voice in protecting bus and rail workers from assaults, pushing for stronger safety standards and real accountability.
She is a champion for safe staffing levels on passenger and commuter rail systems.
In her career as a public servant, she has maintained a 100% pro-labor voting record as recorded by the AFL-CIO.
That’s what it looks like when someone is truly with SMART-TD.
She’s Not Just “With Us.” She’s One of Us
Mikie Sherrill has been there for SMART-TD members in every way that matters.
In Washington, her office door is always open to transportation unions, but she takes it further. When a transportation vote is coming before Congress, whether it’s freight rail, passenger rail, commuter service, or bus, Mikie Sherrill doesn’t wait for SMART-TD to call her. She reaches out to SMART-TD’s New Jersey State Safety and Legislative Director, Ron Sabol first to ask questions, gather insight, and understand the real-world impact of the laws she’s voting on. She doesn’t do it for votes or donations. She does it because she genuinely wants to understand how her decisions affect rail and bus workers and their families.
That’s not politics. That’s partnership.
A True Ally, Not a Photo Opportunist
Beyond votes and headlines, Mikie Sherrill’s actions speak volumes. When SMART-TD launched our Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) committee, we invited members of Congress to meet with us during our first Bus and Transit Safety Day on the Hill. Mikie Sherrill took the time out of her busy schedule to meet with our representatives in person, rather with her staff.
When SMART-TD held its annual leadership meeting in August of this year, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill didn’t just send her remarks: she showed up in person to speak directly to our General Chairpersons, Safety and Legislative Directors, officers, and members from across the country. Her message was simple but powerful: “You have a partner and an ally in D.C.”
She backed those words up again during Railroad Day on the Hill in 2024, when SMART-TD met with over 130 members of Congress. After a long day of meetings, when our union leaders gathered privately at our office to strategize next steps. Mikie Sherrill was the only member of Congress who came without cameras or press, to offer her insight and support.
No spotlight. No agenda. Just genuine dedication to helping SMART-TD succeed.
A Vision for the Future of New Jersey and Beyond
In her remarks to SMART-TD members at our leadership meeting, Mikie Sherrill made her priorities crystal clear: she is fighting to expand and strengthen New Jersey’s rail and bus infrastructure from North Jersey to South Jersey and to get the Gateway Tunnel Project completed.
Her goal? To create more good-paying UNION TRANSPORTATION JOBS, grow opportunities for working families, and make New Jersey the best state in America for workers like ours to raise their families.
She told our members directly that “Labor and SMART will always have a seat at my table.”
These words are backed up by her votes, phone calls, her time, advocacy, and with her respect for the men and women who keep this nation moving.
The Benchmark for Being “With Us”
Mikie Sherrill has proven time and again that she’s not just with us when it’s convenient. She’s with us when it counts: when the votes are cast, when the policies are shaped, and when the hard work of protecting workers begins.
Congresswoman and Candidate for Governor Mikie Sherrill is the real deal. She is a true friend of SMART-TD, of labor, and of every transportation worker who gets up each day to keep America moving.
SMART-TD proudly stands with Mikie Sherrill, because she has never hesitated to stand with us.
