White Pass & Yukon Onboard Agents Say “Yes” to SMART-TD

SMART-TD welcomes our newest brothers and sisters from the White Pass & Yukon (WPY) Route Railway to our union family!

Approximately 40 onboard agents, including train agents, dock reps, and train stockers, voted overwhelmingly to become SMART-TD members, joining the short-line’s conductors and engineers who we’re already proud to count amongst our membership.

WP&Y Employees Saw the Union Difference…and Wanted It

As a tour guide for White Pass & Yukon, Megan Jordahl often works closely with conductors and engineers who were already represented by SMART-TD.

After seeing how the union difference paid off in their respective roles and knowing that other tour guides in the region were making more money, she was ready for a change.

“We wanted what we felt was fair for us,” she told SMART News.

After meeting with GCA White Pass & Yukon Route Railway General Chairperson James Ogden, fellow tour guide Katy Woelfel, and another guide to discuss the benefits of SMART-TD representation, they signed authorization cards with Assistant Director of Organizing Andy Goeckner.

Megan remembers that most of the onboard agents were very enthusiastic about the organizing campaign and were excited about the benefits that come with union membership.

“Everybody that I talked to was for it and wanted to be a part of the SMART union.”

“There’s a Home for You in Our Union”

Being involved with the organizing process from Day 1, Brother Goeckner explains how this campaign was different from most others, because it involved crafts that typically don’t immediately come to mind on the railroad.

“We were successful in getting all of the onboard agents organized, and it was pretty cool to have done that,” he said. “If you’re willing to work in this industry, we’re willing to represent you.”

He gave a special thanks to General Chairperson Ogden and our new union sisters Woelfel and Jordahl for their dedicated effort to ensure that everyone was on the same page, especially when many employees are scattered all over the world during the off-season.

“They were really helpful in getting this done, and the election was fluid because of them.”

Brother Goeckner hopes that this sends a message to employees at other properties that just because you’re not a conductor or engineer doesn’t mean that there isn’t a place for you at SMART-TD.

“There’s a home for anybody who works in our industry, not just the right and left side of the cab,” he said.