News Archive
Retired General Chairperson Al Nowlin passes away
Charles “Al” Nowlin, a stalwart supporter of the union through and through and a multiple-term general chairperson for GO-569, passed away unexpectedly April 24. He was 68 years old. “Al was a true brother to all of us. He was steadfastly dedicated to our cause and that [...]
REEF Act to prevent rail jobless benefit cuts reintroduced
Under the Budget Control Act of 2011, and a subsequent sequestration order to implement mandated cuts, Railroad Retirement Board-administered unemployment and sickness insurance benefits were reduced by a set percentage that is subject to revision at the beginning of each fis [...]
Green, UNION jobs: SMART members continue to build our green future on Earth Day 2023
SMART members have been on the forefront of the movement for green union jobs for decades, whether manufacturing electric vehicles, producing and installing heat pumps or operating public transit.
Sheet metal worker-owner earns “Contractor of the Year” honorable mention
Local 36 sheet metal worker-owner Rochelle Bonty was recognized by the Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT) in early April, when she earned an honorable mention in MOWIT’s 2022 Contractor of the Year category. Bonty, the first Black woman in the Local 36 apprenticeship program, s [...]
Michigan Legislature takes up rail safety
State Senate has rail safety bills regarding two-person crews and train length before it Michigan State Legislative Director Donald Roach served as a primary source as The Detroit News published articles this week (subscription required to read) centering on two pieces of rai [...]
Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su has walked the walk for workers
From trafficked garment workers to misclassified truck drivers, from future union apprentices to business owners who abide by the law, the record is clear: Current Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su is the right choice to lead the U.S. Department of Labor. She has a proven track [...]
SMART Member Assistance Program keeps focus on union workers’ mental health
For Chris Carlough, SMART Member Assistance Program (MAP) coordinator, the mission to help improve union workers’ mental health is personal. “I’ve been working with the SMART MAP program for probably about 10 years or so,” Carlough said during an interview with SMART Ne [...]
A note to all SMART VLTD enrollees
Dear Member, As a SMART-TD Member enrolled in the Voluntary Long Term Disability (VLTD) Plan, you received communication in February regarding updates to the VLTD Plan and the decision by SMART-TD to transition from Amalgamated Life Insurance Company to Sun Life Financial, ef [...]