Category: Front Page
Virginia Rail Yard Renamed in Honor of 50-Year Member
Brother Robert “RC” Hailes recently celebrated 50 years of service as both a SMART-TD member and working for the Norfolk & Portsmouth Beltline Railroad in Virgina. Read on to find out what honor Brother Hailes received to mark this significant milestone and commemorate five decades of leadership.
Sister Heather Steele Turns Adversity into Action
After experiencing a brutal on-duty assault nearly two years ago, Sister Heather Steele refused to let the incident define her career or her legacy. Instead, she’s becoming the face of the national rail safety movement while continuing her physical recovery. As Women’s History Month draws to a close, read on to learn how Sister Steele embodies what it means to build history in real time and what’s next on her advocacy journey.
Patience, persistence lead to union benefits for New Jersey workers and new signatory contractor
What began as simple walk-ins and persistence by SMART Local 27 organizers ultimately turned into a successful organizing effort — one that expanded the union’s reach into a specialized part of the HVAC industry and set a precedent for future organizing in the duct cleaning sector. Now, new signatory company Induct Air Duct Cleaning and its workers are set to benefit for the years to come.
Retiring Wisconsin Member Receives Two Prestigious Honors
Brother Steve James (Local 590, Portage, Wis.) retired in December of 2025 after more than 30 years on the railroad, many of those spent serving SMART-TD members in his home state. To show their appreciation for his dedication and hard work, he received two meaningful honors from both his local and state legislative board. Read on for details.
SMART Local 80 shows what union solidarity means in Detroit
For SMART members, solidarity means action — from the jobsite, to the cab of a locomotive, to city council meetings, to marches and rallies, and well beyond. And for members in Detroit, it meant taking on harsh conditions to make life better for local students: On March 13, Local 80 staff and nine member volunteers volunteered to help clean up the park ahead of the annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Holding the Line
When tragedy strikes on the railroad, injured workers and families face pressure while management focuses on liability and control. Members must be prepared to protect one another and stand united. Read on to learn how to hold the line.
New RRB Online Services Now Available
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is announcing two new online services that are now available for retired railroad workers. Read on for details about the RRB’s ongoing efforts to update and modernize its systems.
Sister Kim Collier Paves the Way Forward for Women in Wyoming
After more than three decades working as an engineer for Union Pacific, Sister Kim Collier (Local 1857, Green River, Wyo.) will be the first one to tell you that she’s pretty much seen and done it all. As Women’s History Month approaches its last full week, read on to learn more about her unexpected entry into the industry and why she believes that welcoming more female members starts with us.