Category: Members Journal
New Mass. law protects SMART-TD transit members
On December 4, 2025, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey strengthened protections for public and private transit workers by signing H. 4645 into law. Several SMART-TD members championed this legislation from Day 1, pushed to get it over the finish line, and were present for the signing.
Local 398 members save woman’s life in San Diego
SMART members improve the quality of life for our neighbors in countless ways, helping them breathe clean air, safely transporting people and freight from point A to B, and more. For SMART Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering (RME) Local 398 Brothers Joshua Mavez, Andrew Meisenholder, Jesse Warford and Dan Medellin, this impact took on a whole new level when they saved a woman’s life just outside their facility.
CSX ends Operation RedBlock
CSX Transportation has dismantled Operation RedBlock, the gold standard for substance abuse prevention, peer prevention and safety.
Meslin named 11th GVP; Butler, Dunne appointed International reps
On February 9, 2026, SMART General President Michael Coleman announced the election of SMART Local 28 (New York City and Long Island) Business Manager Eric Meslin to the SMART General Executive Council (GEC), following former Fifth General Vice President Bob Butler’s appointment as SMART International representative. In addition, former Local 44 Business Manager Don Dunne was appointed an International representative for the mid-Atlantic region.
Local 24 member writes book on the life-changing power of the sheet metal trade
Long-time Local 24 member Roger Hoover has written a book on the life-changing power of a career in the unionized sheet metal trade.
SASMI gives active members a big financial boost in 2026
SASMI trustees recently approved a 50% match on employer contributions to active members’ Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs). The match begins with 2025 allocations that members received in their HRA balances early April 2026.
Sheet metal a family affair when parents, kids apprentice together
The trades have a reputation for “running in the family.” Historically, a young man often followed in his father’s and even grandfather’s footsteps into a union. These days, not only is it increasingly common for women to find careers in the unionized trades, but in some cases the generational order of apprenticeship is switched around.
84-year member Renato Favero passes away at 102
On Wednesday, February 4, 84-year Local 218 (Springfield, Ill.) member Renato Favero passed away at the age of 102 years old. In a fitting tribute to his long life as a World War II veteran, sheet metal worker and family man, he was surrounded by loved ones.