SMART-TD members who enjoy hunting, shooting sports, and the outdoors have another reason to check out the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) 2027 Calendar.

In celebration of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s 20th Anniversary, this year’s calendar includes an exciting new contest. 20 specially marked Golden Calendars have been randomly inserted into the print run.

Members who receive one of these rare calendars and complete the required registration process will receive a Benelli M2 shotgun in Mossy Oak Bottomland, valued at approximately $1,829.

With roughly 16,250 calendars being printed, the odds of receiving a Golden Calendar are about 1 in 800.

USA’s Mission

If you aren’t familiar with the Union Sportsman Alliance, it is a great organization that every SMART-TD member is eligible to be a part of. They hold events all around the country to bring our families and our union families together through hunting, fishing, shooting, and all things outdoors.

In their 20 years of serving the labor movement, they have also become one of the country’s largest and most effective conservation organizations. They work to maintain wildlife habitats, restore national parks, and involve union members from different labor organizations in all kinds of crafts in mentoring programs that introduce the youth to the outdoors.

Becoming a part of the USA is as easy as filling out their registration form.

30% Savings on Ammunition

In addition to the prize opportunities, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance members enjoy exclusive discounts on ammunition and other outdoor gear through USA member benefits, making membership valuable long after the calendar arrives. Saving 30% on Liberty Ammunition is just another reason it pays to be a member of the USA, and of SMART-TD.

Don’t Forget to Register

If you order a 2027 calendar, be sure to inspect it when it arrives. A winning Golden Calendar will have a special gold emblem inside the back cover. Winners must register their calendar and complete the required verification process within the promotion’s deadlines to claim their prize. All firearm transfers are subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws and must be completed through a federally licensed firearms dealer.

The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance has long partnered with unions like SMART-TD to support conservation projects, preserve our outdoor heritage, and provide members with unique recreational opportunities. Purchasing the 2027 annual calendar is another way members can support that mission while enjoying the chance to win some outstanding prizes.

To learn more or order your 2027 Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Calendar, visit the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance website.

The post Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Celebrates 20 Years With 20 Benelli M2 Shotguns appeared first on SMART Union.

One of the biggest barriers unions face is misinformation: misconceptions about labor unions, often promoted by anti-union organizations, that cause workers to question the power of membership and collective strength. In Idaho, two SMART Local 55 staffers demonstrated the importance of communication in spreading the truth about the union difference.

At Southwark Metal Manufacturing’s Idaho operation, a recent new employee orientation became a strong example of what consistent union communication can accomplish. Carlos Arroyo and Chris Howell, who work for SMART Local 55, spoke with new hires about the value of union membership and, with support from workers who helped carry those conversations, signed up 20 of the 22 workers entering the facility.

Southwark Metal Manufacturing’s Idaho Division, located in Caldwell, Idaho, produces sheet metal products and services wholesale distributors across Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Organizing members in a production shop can be difficult, and doing so in a “right-to-work” state — where local unions are weakened by having to represent workers who don’t sign up to pay dues — makes the challenge even greater.

That made the results of the orientation especially meaningful.

Rather than leading with a scripted pitch, Carlos and Chris began by asking workers what they had heard about unions. From there, they focused the conversation on real workplace experience, and they relied on the credibility of workers who helped explain what the union means on the shop floor.

They explained that union strength comes from participation. When more workers join and take ownership of their union, their collective voice becomes louder in negotiations and stronger on the shop floor. That message connected union membership directly to the issues workers care about every day.

The conversation also covered concrete benefits, including vacation, Union Plus programs and holiday pay. At this shop, workers receive 10 paid holidays.

Carlos and Chris were careful not to overdo the message. Instead, they kept the discussion focused, practical and tied to real results. They talked about workplace conditions the union had helped improve, including times when painting fumes became a problem or when blistering heat made the floor harder to work on. In those situations, the union helped push for solutions such as moving fans onto the floor and addressing conditions workers were facing directly.

Local 55 Regional Manager Kolby Hanson recognized this effort, noting that organizing production workers is especially difficult in a right-to-work environment. He credited Carlos with developing strong communication skills with production workers over the past couple of years and added that Chris is now building those same skills alongside him.

Their success at Southwark is more than a one-day achievement. It reflects the importance of steady communication, clear explanations of union value and trusted conversations with workers. By meeting new hires where they are, answering questions honestly and working alongside worker leaders who can speak from direct experience, Carlos and Chris helped demonstrate what strong internal organizing looks like.

Congratulations to Carlos and Chris on this important achievement and on helping to strengthen Local 55 at Southwark!

The post Idaho organizing win shows the power of union communication appeared first on SMART Union.

Together with the members of Local 0002 (Toledo, Ohio), SMART-TD mourns the loss of Brother Scott Shoemaker, who was killed on duty on July 9, 2026.

A conductor off Norfolk Southern for 22 years, Brother Shoemaker was 67 years old.

All who were touched by Scott’s life are welcome to join his family this Sunday, July 19 at Eggleston-Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home (440 S. Coy Road, Oregon, Ohio) from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and again on Monday, July 20 at 10:00 a.m. before the funeral service begins at 12:00 p.m.

A Beloved Family Man and Proud Railroader

While we are limited as to what we can say about the circumstances that claimed Brother Shoemaker’s life due to the ongoing NTSB investigation, we can talk about the beloved husband, father, brother, friend, and union member that he was.

A Toledo native who was easy to spot thanks to his towering 6’8” frame, Scott originally worked for Seaway Foodtown, Inc. for 25 years before its closure in the early 2000s. After that, he made a major pivot and began his journey as a railroader, traveling to cities from Chicago, Ill. to Harrisburg, Pa.

Brother Shoemaker was deeply proud of his work and the ability that it gave him to provide a good life for his family, including his wife, Carole, and children, Melissa and Joshua.

He was fondly known as a “gentle giant” with a hearty laugh who spoke to others with genuine kindness.

Beyond the rails, Scott could usually be found cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and (by default, thanks to his family) the Cincinnati Reds. He and his wife were avid National Parks’ fans, visiting the Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park.

Brother Shoemaker is survived by his wife and children, three brothers, and many extended family members and friends.

As his loved ones mourn this devastating loss and carry on his legacy, SMART-TD extends our sympathies to all those who were fortunate enough to know Scott.

Rest in peace, Brother Shoemaker, and thank you for being the kind of spouse, parent, and railroader that we should all aspire to be.

The post Funeral Arrangements Begin Sunday for Brother Scott Shoemaker appeared first on SMART Union.

Across much of the Midwest and Eastern part of the country, wildfire smoke is creating dangerous air quality conditions that are affecting millions of people. For SMART-TD members working on locomotives, in yards, on the ground, or anywhere outdoors, this isn’t just another weather event. It’s a workplace hazard.

Wildfire Smoke Is More Than an Inconvenience

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has warned employers that wildfire smoke can present serious health risks for outdoor workers and has urged employers to have plans in place to protect employees when air quality deteriorates.

OSHA recommends monitoring air quality through the EPA’s AirNow system, reducing strenuous work when conditions worsen, providing breaks in cleaner air whenever possible, and allowing the voluntary use of appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators when needed. Those aren’t suggestions to be ignored. They are recognized safety practices designed to keep all American workers healthy.

Railroaders know the job doesn’t stop just because the sky turns hazy. Freight still moves. Passenger trains still operate. Customers still expect service. But no train, no terminal, and no operating plan is more important than your health.

Know the Warning Signs

Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles that can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Exposure can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, eye irritation, headaches, unusual fatigue, and difficulty breathing. For members with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions, the risks can be even greater.

Protect Yourself and Keep Your Union Informed

If you begin experiencing symptoms that affect your ability to safely perform your job, notify your supervisor immediately. If conditions continue to worsen or you have trouble breathing, move to cleaner air as soon as it is safe to do so and seek medical attention if necessary. Your health is not something to gamble with.

Just as importantly, let your union know.

SMART-TD cannot challenge unsafe practices that we never hear about. If your railroad requires our brothers and sisters to work in hazardous smoke without providing guidance or reasonable protective measures, we need to know. If you are instructed to continue working despite symptoms or unsafe conditions, document what happened and report it.

When reporting wildfire smoke concerns, keep a record of:

• The date, time, and location.
• The Air Quality Index (AQI) for your work area.
• Any symptoms you experienced.
• Who you notified.
• Any instructions you were given by management.

It is not hard to get the AQI for your work area. Just put in the zip code into the search field of this OSHA provided website.

That information can make all the difference if we need to pursue the issue with your carrier or with federal regulators. We are not the canary in the mineshaft. We can’t let ourselves and our coworkers be treated like we are.

SMART-TD Calls For Accountability

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that this situation has happened. In the Summer of 2023, massive wildfires in Canada created many of the same concerns. Following the situation in 2023, OSHA instructed employers to come up with mitigation plans for moments exactly like what is happening today.

SMART-TD is also encouraging our State Legislative Directors and Legislative Representatives of our Locals to request each railroad’s guidance for operating during wildfire smoke events. This is a good opportunity to make sure they followed OSHA’s mandate for one thing, but it also puts the railroads and local managers on notice that we have no intention of allowing them to push our brothers and sisters beyond federal regulations under our current air safety conditions.

Railroaders deserve to know what standards their carrier is following before they are placed in hazardous conditions, not after.

Remember, federal law protects railroad employees who report workplace safety concerns or work-related illnesses in good faith. No employee should face retaliation for raising legitimate health and safety issues. If you believe you are receiving pushback for reporting hazardous conditions or protecting your health, contact your Local Safety and Legislative Representative, or a SMART-TD representative. OSHA is not only the federal agency protecting workers from the known dangers of working in smoke and smog, but, it is also the same agency that handles Whistleblower cases.

You Have the Right to Speak Up

As railroaders, we take pride in getting the job done. That’s part of who we are. But professionalism does not mean ignoring hazards that threaten your health.

Pay attention to changing air quality conditions. Watch for symptoms. Speak up when something isn’t right. Keep your union informed.

Most importantly, remember this: there will always be another train to move. We don’t want anyone risking their health and well-being to prove a point, or to make a manager look good on tomorrow’s conference call.

The post Wildfire Smoke Is a Workplace Hazard. Don’t Ignore It. appeared first on SMART Union.

In response to an emergency motion filed by CSXT, on July 15, 2026, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, entered a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) in CSX Transportation, Inc. v. SMART-TD, Case No. 3:26-cv-01795-WWB-SJH. The Court directed “SMART-TD and its national and local officers to immediately initiate and undertake all reasonable efforts to prevent and discourage SMART-TD’s divisions, lodges, locals, officers, agents, employees, members, and all persons acting in concert with any of them from engaging in conduct prohibited by the TRO,” including by posting and distributing this notice.

Although SMART-TD is not aware of any activity having occurred to date, the TRO enjoins “SMART-TD, its divisions, lodges, locals, officers, agents, employees, members, and all persons acting in concert or participation with any of them from authorizing, encouraging, permitting, calling, engaging in, or continuing any strike, work stoppage, picketing, slowdown, sickout, or other self-help against CSX Transportation, Inc. or its operating rail subsidiaries over any dispute relating to the interpretation of CSXT’s Attendance Policy or other aspects of System Notice 502.”

Pursuant to the Court’s Order, any SMART-TD member who is engaging in, or who may in the future engage in, any conduct enjoined by the Court’s Order and TRO must immediately cease and desist all such activity and must immediately cease and desist all exhortations or communications encouraging same upon pain of fine, suspension, or other sanction by SMART-TD. Additional information can be found in the Court’s complete Order and TRO below.

The post TRO Issued to SMART-TD Members on CSX to Refrain from Self-Help appeared first on SMART Union.

If you plan on attending the upcoming Baltimore Regional Training Seminar (RTS) at the end of August, you have one month left to finalize your registration.

Space in some of the training tracks is limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Online registration is required!

Register for the Baltimore RTS ►    

As a reminder, registration closes on August 17, 2026, and there will be no onsite registration available. Late registration is subject to an additional $50 late fee.

We also encourage you to book your room NOW before the July 31 deadline. Discounted rooms are only available while supplies last.

You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations.

What You Need to Know Before You Go 

The Baltimore Regional Training Seminar (RTS) begins with your arrival on Monday, August 31, 2026, with an evening Welcome Reception at 6:00 pm in the B&O Railroad Museum The training will cover topics such as local governance, the roles and responsibilities of local presidents, secretaries, treasurers, legislative representatives, and local chairpersons in member advocacy, an overview of the SMART Constitution, and other key subjects.    

• Location: Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor    
• Dates: August 31-September 3, 2026 (S&T: August 31-September 4) 
• Room Rate: $189/night   
• Registration Fee: $75 

As we announced last week, the Baltimore RTS will also feature an Assault Prevention Training that’s primarily geared towards SMART-TD’s bus and passenger rail members.

Led by leadership from SMART-TD’s Bus & Transit Assault Prevention & Safety (BTAPS) Committee, attendees will discuss what constitutes unruly behavior, building rapport with passengers early on, and what to do if a violent incident occurs, including how to document it and report it to the BTAPS Committee.

Finalize Your Registration Today! 

Register for the Baltimore RTS ►    
Book Your Hotel Reservation ►

For a detailed meeting agenda, please visit the Meetings page via the SMART Union mobile app. You can also use the app to register for the RTS by selecting “Meetings” from the drop-down menu.

Please contact Nick Torres in the SMART-TD office at 216-227-5269 or by email at ntorres@smart-union.org if you have any registration questions.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to attend our last RTS of 2026! 

The post One Month Left to Register for the Baltimore RTS!  appeared first on SMART Union.

SMART sheet metal workers are no strangers to change. Over the years, the sheet metal industry has transformed drastically — what was once a trade of snips and hammers now features computer-aided drafting, sophisticated 3-D mapping, artificial intelligence and much more.

The same goes for the ways that SMART members interact with each other and the world, with social media and digital communication largely taking the place of the media channels that existed for most of our union’s history. For that reason, SMART local officers gathered in St. Louis, Missouri, from June 23-26, to build the skills and strategies needed to engage current and future members — from the jobsite, to the union hall, to social media.   

The class, titled Communication Strategies for Membership Engagement & Retention, was a collaboration between the SMART Education and Communications Departments. Course material covered a variety of topics: creating effective talking points, taking photos and videos using your phone, graphic design 101, how to measure engagement in digital communications and much more.

Local officers and staff learned hands-on tips and tricks from Education and Communications Department instructors about everything from creating effective social media videos to distilling complex topics into simple messages. Then, each day, they broke into groups tasked with putting those lessons into practice: filming and editing videos, creating draft social media flyers and strategizing on the most effective ways to reach target audiences.

“There are countless tools and platforms that people use, every day, to interact with each other, to share their passions, to engage with the world around them,” said SMART Director of Communications Paul Pimentel. “By helping local union officers equip themselves to engage with those tools and platforms, we can make sure we’re meeting members where they are and helping them get involved in their union.”

Groups were evaluated by their peers throughout the week, with points awarded for each exercise. Group 1 was awarded by fellow classmates as the top group in the class, with Jeremy Snyder (Local 36), Sam Hem (Local 66) and Jeremy Waugh (Local 110) — with an honorable mention for Stu Wilson of Local 18 — earning the highest score.

The work didn’t end with the conclusion of the class: Attendees went back to their home locals with a two-week communications plan, detailing concrete steps to implement their new communications skills and strategies.

“We design these classes so that local officers can go back to their unions, take what they’ve been practicing throughout the week, and start working to benefit their local union and their members,” said SMART International Instructor Andre Mayes. “We’re already seeing some of our attendees create new, engaging content on their local platforms, and we hope to see more as we work to engage members across North America.”

The post SMART leaders train to engage union members with new communications class appeared first on SMART Union.

With a unanimous vote, the members of SMART-TD Local 1590 (Van Nuys, Calif.) have ratified a contract with WeDriveU!

Covering bus operators and dispatchers, the agreement includes…

• An immediate, significant hourly wage increase
• Just Cause job protections
• Union Orientation for new hires
• The ability to wear union insignia at work

Ratification Comes After Years of Unexpected Detours on the Road to a Contract

Negotiations are rarely ever considered “easy,” but Local 1590 had a particularly long, hard-fought journey before reaching its recent milestone that demanded years of perseverance.

Originally, the members were employed by Coach USA in California and bounced between a few other properties before eventually ending up at another company called Four Seasons.

Instead of coming to the bargaining table to negotiate a contract once they took over, Four Season simply chose not to recognize the workers as a bargaining unit after realizing that they were organized.

By this point, Local 1590 was simply working off its old, original agreement with Coach USA from several years before.

That’s when SMART-TD leadership got involved and things took an interesting turn.

Close, But No Contract for Local 1590

After Four Season started playing games, SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President James Sandoval and former General Chairperson of GCA-Coach-Pacific Coast (878) Travis Johnson took the situation to the National Labor Relations Board whose decision was straightforward: Four Seasons had to recognize Local 1590, start bargaining a new contract, and post a notice to all employees that they will not interfere with their union protections and bargain in good faith. The company agreed and said that it would follow through with the requirements the Board had given it.

With the decision handed down, VP Sandoval and GC Johnson immediately got to work negotiating a new contract that would replace the old, outdated one.

But after a few months of negotiations with Four Seasons, they were blindsided.

The property was abruptly sold to what was now a fourth company and the significant progress that had been made towards securing a contract was thrown into limbo.

Years of Dedication, Persistence Eventually Pay Off with WeDriveU

Through years of uncertainty and anti-union sentiment from each of the various companies, Local 1590 finally won the contract it deserved with WeDriveU thanks to the tenacity and determination of VP Sandoval and GC Johnson.

It would have been easier to simply throw in the towel over the course of this multi-year fight, but VP Sandoval notes that GC Johnson refused to let that happen.

“Most people or unions would have given up somewhere along the way, but Travis and Local 1590 did the exact opposite,” said VP Sandoval. “Every member of this group deserves credit for knowing what they wanted and that it was worth fighting for. Travis made sure that everyone stuck together, and it paid off.”

Local 1590’s vote is personal for VP Sandoval: it’s his first unanimous ratification vote.

“This is a great feeling. This vote took years to accomplish, especially with everything that the local had thrown at it. I’m proud of Travis and the members for the example that they’ve set within our union.”

Congratulations to Local 1590 for ratifying your new agreement after years of work!

The post Local 1590 Unanimously Ratifies New Agreement with WeDriveU appeared first on SMART Union.

Throughout the state of Nevada, SMART Local 88 (Las Vegas) is organizing to grow its membership, strengthen union contractors and create more opportunities for members. That organizing has paid off, with the local recruiting sheet metal workers from nonunion competitors to meet ongoing workforce demands in Northern Nevada’s Reno area, home of SMART Local 26.

When SMART local unions work to bring new members into the unionized sheet metal trade, it isn’t just about growing the strength of our union. It’s about making life better for those workers and their families — and it helps current members by growing the strength of unionized contractors.

Local 88, under Business Manager Geremiah Robnett’s leadership, has demonstrated that union difference clearly. In the last two months, the local’s Organizing Department of Alfonso Lopez and Robert Diaz has signed up 15 new journeypersons from larger nonunion contractors in the region. These are foremen and workers that the local has known for years, maintaining constant contact through jobsite visits and referrals.

These newly organized Local 88 members are increasing their incomes in the range of $8-12 per hour solely on base hourly wages, with another $30 an hour in benefits that include Health & Welfare for their entire families, plus Tri-State and International pension plans.

Organizing new members to take on work in the Reno area — specifically from contractors who drive down wages in Southern Nevada — benefits the workforce for the entire state. It also helps level the playing field between union contractors and the bad-faith employers who consistently drive down area pay and working standards.

That’s why we organize!

The post Las Vegas sheet metal union grows membership, wins better pay for Nevada workers appeared first on SMART Union.

For many years, the mainstream narrative around entering the United States job market has been straightforward: Go to college, get a degree and join the white collar workforce.

Today, as demand for skilled workers continues to grow, that narrative is changing: More and more tradespeople are needed to build the infrastructure, data centers and public facilities that Americans rely on.

In Wheeling, West Virginia, SMART Local 33 and the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) are taking advantage, not just telling but showing young people in the area what it’s like to earn a great living while working in the sheet metal trade.

The experience paid off at Wheeling’s 2026 HMSE camp, which brought students to Local 33 to try their hand at a variety of sheet metal work. Out of 19 participants, nine are now working as apprentices for Local 33 contractors, and three more are on the list of apprentices to start soon.

Heavy Metal Summer (HMSE), cofounded by former SMACNA President Angie Simon, provides an opportunity for young people across the U.S. and Canada to get hands-on experience with the trades: HMSE students work with skilled craftspeople at shops, jobsites and local union training centers, discovering for themselves whether they may want to pursue a future in the union.

“Heavy Metal Summer [Experience] is a program meant to bring in kids age 15 to 19 to teach them a little bit about the sheet metal trade and what we do, get them a little hands-on projects, help them get a better understanding [and] see if this is something they want to pursue,” said Local 33 Partnership Development Representative Steve Hancock.

In Wheeling, that meant exploring just a preview of all that the sheet metal trade has to offer. Students learned welding by making a fire ring out of eight-inch black iron; formed, cut and put all the extrusions on an architectural metal panel; formed, cut and put together an architectural metal star; and worked with softer metal to make a copper feather from scratch.

“I made [the] fire pit, or fire ring, the other day, so I thought that was pretty cool,” said 2026 HMSE student Landon. “I was pretty proud of myself.”

Welding, fabricating, forming, cutting, hammering — the Wheeling HMSE students got to do some of it all, plus hear about the many, many more options that exist in the sheet metal trade. From detailing to architectural sheet metal work, the unionized sheet metal industry has a lot to offer. And for many members, it all starts in the earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship program.

“Programs like Heavy Metal Summer [Experience] are extremely important because it gives the younger generation a vision into what it’s actually like to be in an apprenticeship program … before they actually even potentially graduate high school or decide a career path,” said Josh Jablonski, Local 33 partnership development representative.

In 2026, 19 Wheeling HMSE students experienced that vision — and at least 12 decided that they liked what they saw.

“A lot of kids are pushed from high school straight to college … so the trades are often the best-kept secret in towns, especially like this one here,” concluded Scott Mazzulli, Local 33 Wheeling business representative. “Heavy Metal Summer helps put us on the map.”

The post A future in the trades: Local 33, Heavy Metal Summer Experience recruit the next generation in Wheeling appeared first on SMART Union.