Every day, SMART-TD’s bus and passenger rail members interact with thousands of people. That puts them in a unique position to notice when something isn’t right and, in some cases, help protect someone who may be in danger.

Yesterday (July 8, 2026), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released updated resources reminding transit employees how to recognize the warning signs of human trafficking and where to report suspected cases. While these materials were developed with busy summer travel and major public events in mind, the information is valuable at any time of year.

SMART-TD is making these resources available to our members within 24 hours of receiving them, because knowledge is one of the most effective safety tools we have. No one expects transit professionals to investigate suspected trafficking, but knowing the warning signs and the proper way to report concerns can help law enforcement intervene while keeping employees and the riding public safe.

One additional sign worth knowing is the internationally recognized “Signal for Help.” If someone folds their thumb into the palm of their hand and then closes their four fingers over it, they may be silently asking for help in a situation where they cannot safely speak. While this gesture is most commonly associated with domestic violence and is not specific to human trafficking, it should be treated as another possible indicator that someone needs assistance. As with any concern, members should follow their employer’s procedures and notify the appropriate authorities rather than attempting to intervene on their own.

We encourage our bus and passenger rail members to take a few minutes to review the FTA’s guidance and share it with their coworkers. Awareness is often the first step toward protecting those who are most vulnerable.

The FTA’s announcement and resource links are provided below.

Prepare for Summer Events with Human-Trafficking Prevention Resources for Transit

As summer brings increased tourism, major sporting events, festivals, concerts and other activities to your area, you can help prepare for the crowds and reinforce community safety by knowing the signs of human trafficking as you prepare for summer events. 

Recognize the Signs

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has shared a list of human trafficking indicators to help transportation employees stay vigilant. While no single indicator can confirm a human trafficking situation, several combined indicators may increase the likelihood that a person is actively being targeted, recruited, or exploited. Signs may include an individual who is: 

• Not in control of their own money, passes, or phone
• Controlled by or unusually submissive to their travel companion 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves 
• Unaware of their route or location 

Consider sharing the complete list with colleagues to help them know what to look for, as transit workers can serve as a community’s eyes and ears.

Resources

FTA and USDOT have several resources available to help transit industry personnel identify, report, and prevent human trafficking: 

• Transit industry resources to counter human trafficking: These resources from USDOT include a 20-minute training and downloadable awareness materials to help transit workers and riders identify and report suspected instances of human trafficking. 
• FTA Major Event Playbook: FTA’s playbook is a practical guide with key considerations to help transit agencies navigate federal transit requirements related to hosting major events. It also includes a section on combatting human trafficking. 
• FTA’s Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative web page: FTA’s web page links to resources such as past webinars featuring transit organizations’ approaches to identifying and preventing human trafficking. 
• How to Report Suspected Human Trafficking: This USDOT web page provides information on where to report suspected trafficking, such as to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and best practices for providing a detailed tip to authorities. 

Together, the transit industry can play a critical role in identifying, reporting and preventing this crime. 

Links:
Indicators of Human Trafficking
FTA Major Event Playbook
USDOT Counter Human Trafficking Resources
FTA’s Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative
National Human Trafficking Hotline

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Momentum Builds for Railroad Labor Priorities

In Washington, victories for railroad workers never happen overnight. They are built through years of advocacy, countless conversations, and strong relationships with elected officials who are willing to listen, learn, and lead. That’s not an easy lift.

Over the past several weeks, SMART-TD members have seen meaningful progress on multiple legislative fronts, and one name has consistently appeared throughout those efforts: Congressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey.

SMART-TD has always been clear about one thing: our issues are not partisan. Railroad safety, quality of life, and protecting good-paying transportation jobs are not Republican issues or Democratic issues. They are worker issues. Our union has always judged elected officials by a simple standard: Are they with us, or are they against us?

That is why it is worth recognizing the role Congressman Van Drew has played in several recent legislative victories.

Drawing the Line on Automated Track Inspections

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Van Drew has become an increasingly important voice on rail labor issues. Most recently, he co-led Amendment 294 to the BUILD America 250 Act alongside Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV). That amendment protects the long-standing requirement for regular human visual track inspections and makes clear that Automated Track Inspection technology should supplement (not replace) the trained railroad professionals who keep our nation’s rail network safe. The measure advanced through committee with bipartisan support and represented a significant victory for railroad workers and public safety.

2-PC, Long Trains, Inspection Times, and More

Van Drew also helped lead efforts to include the Railway Safety Act in the BUILD America 250 Act. Working alongside Representatives Troy Nehls, Chris Deluzio, Emilia Sykes, Dina Titus, Rob Bresnahan, and others, the amendment advanced critical rail safety reforms that labor organizations have fought for since the East Palestine disaster. These reforms include stronger inspection standards, enhanced safety requirements, protections that help ensure safety is never sacrificed for corporate efficiency, and as 2-Person Freight Train Crews as the law of the land.

Passenger Rail Crew Safety and Respect

On Thursday, June 11, Van Drew, along with Representative Laura Gillen (D-NY), introduced a bill in the House to strengthen protections for passenger rail crews, further demonstrating a willingness to engage on issues that directly affect the men and women who operate America’s transportation network. In this bill. Van Drew and Gillen demand that our passenger rail members have the same federal protections against assault as flight crews enjoy. This is something our Safety and Legislative Department and Bus & Transit Assault Prevention & Safety (BTAPS) committee have been working on for a considerable amount of time in SMART-TD’s efforts to curb the transit assault epidemic in America.

 That is quite a bit of positive change for SMART-TD railroaders to cram into a short period of time, and Rep. Van Drew, along with his staff, has been a common thread through all of these victories.

It Takes a Village

To be clear, these accomplishments belong to a broad coalition. SMART-TD is grateful for the leadership and support of Representatives Titus, Gillen, Nehls, Deluzio, Sykes, Rulli, Bresnahan, and many others who have stood with transportation workers. Progress only happens when lawmakers from both parties work together and when labor speaks with a united voice.

What makes Van Drew’s recent involvement particularly noteworthy is not simply the votes he has cast. It is the effort he has made to understand our industry. He has reached out to SMART-TD’s Safety and Legislative Departments, asked questions, sought information, and taken the time to learn about the realities facing railroad workers. Those conversations have helped turn awareness into action. And that action has taken the shape of his sponsorship and co-sponsorship of historic legislation in our industry.

His work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has given him a close view of the challenges facing America’s rail network, and he has shown a willingness to use that position to advocate for practical solutions that protect workers, strengthen safety, and serve the public interest.

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In a significant departure from years of controversy over executive-only bonuses, Amtrak’s Board of Directors has ended its longstanding practice of reserving year-end incentive payments exclusively for senior leadership. This year, Amtrak has voted to reduce executive bonuses by half and redistribute those funds to the front-line professionals who directly serve passengers every day.

The result: more than 18,000 Amtrak employees (including SMART-TD conductors, assistant conductors, on-board service personnel, and other front-line team members) will receive a $900 holiday bonus this December.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) informed SMART-TD of this decision on December 11. This change marks the first time in recent memory that Amtrak’s bonus structure meaningfully includes unionized front-line workers.

This shift follows years of criticism from SMART-TD and media outlets (most notably the New York Post) over Amtrak’s executive compensation practices. Even when the railroad faced deficits or operational challenges, senior executives collected substantial bonuses while conductors, engineers, and other essential workers who directly deliver passenger service were excluded.

A Record-Setting Year and Recognition for the Workforce That Delivered It

This year’s change comes as Amtrak celebrates its most successful year to date. In 2025, the railroad safely transported the most passengers since its founding in 1971. This milestone was made possible only through the dedication, professionalism, and long hours of front-line employees.

“The acknowledgment of our members’ role in this historic ridership year is meaningful,” SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson said. “Our crews answered the bell and delivered record-setting service.”

SMART-TD Welcomes the New Bonus Structure

President Ferguson also praised the decision to prioritize the people who operate America’s passenger rail system:

“SMART-TD appreciates Amtrak’s decision to prioritize the men and women who keep our passenger rail system running every day. Providing frontline employees with a meaningful bonus is an important acknowledgment of their dedication and service, especially during the holiday season. We thank the Trump administration for supporting this effort to recognize the hardworking employees who make Amtrak strong.”

FRA and USDOT: Executive Bonuses Rebalanced, Front-Line Bonuses Added

According to information released by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FRA, Amtrak executives will forgo 50% of what they would have received under the former incentive structure

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated:

“This administration cares about the hardworking men and women who keep this country moving… We rely on our incredible workforce, including our unionized workers at Amtrak, to make it all possible.”

SMART-TD wants to acknowledge the role the Trump Administration played in pressing for the inclusion of front-line workers in this year’s bonus distribution. Their engagement contributed to the corrective action on an issue that has been of deep concern to our membership for years.

A Turning Point for Amtrak’s Workforce

For SMART-TD members, this year’s $900 bonus represents more than a financial benefit. It reflects long-sought recognition of their essential role in the success, safety, and reliability of the national passenger rail network.

As Amtrak closes out a historic year of ridership and revenue, SMART-TD will continue advocating for fair compensation, improved working conditions, and a bonus structure that places value where it truly belongs: with the men and women who move America.

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November 24, 2025 — Washington, D.C. 

According to Federal Transit Administration (FTA) data, trespasser and suicide-related incidents now account for 50 percent of all transit-related fatalities reported in 2024. Between 2016 and 2024, these events have risen sharply, with major incidents up 71 percent, fatalities up 70 percent, and injuries up 65 percent. 

Today, the FTA issued safety advisory 25-1: reducing rail trespassing and suicide events. They are calling on state safety oversight agencies and rail transit agencies to take stronger action to identify and mitigate hazards related to these events on their properties. 

FTA Recommendations 

The advisory directs these organizations to: 

• Use their Safety Management Systems (SMS) to proactively identify hazards and assess risks related to trespassing and suicide events. 

• Actively develop and implement mitigation strategies to reduce the likelihood and severity of these incidents. 

• Monitor and measure the effectiveness of those mitigations through ongoing safety performance procedures. 

Support for Rail Crews 

For the men and women who operate passenger and commuter trains daily, these incidents represent a tragic reality. By the time a person enters the gauge of the tracks, it is often already too late to react. The emotional and operational toll of these events is profound, underscoring the need for prevention and mental health support for all involved. 

FTA has hosted webinars and developed mental health resources for transit workers, emphasizing both public safety and the well-being of employees exposed to traumatic events. They also have published a Mental Health Resources for Transit Workers web page ► which highlights many resources for railroaders who have been involved in these tragic incidents. 

Using the page, railroaders can connect with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute of Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other organizations that provide counseling and care. 

Moving Forward 

SMART-TD encourages all passenger and commuter rail members to review this advisory and remain vigilant for potential hazards. The union will continue to work with federal partners and transit agencies to promote effective safety practices and ensure the protection of both rail workers and the traveling public. 

For additional details, please read the full text of Safety Advisory 25-1 ►  

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The Massachusetts Senate will vote on a crucial bill tomorrow (Thursday, November 6) at approximately 11:00 a.m.  

If your schedule allows, please attend tomorrow’s hearing to remind legislators that our transit brothers and sisters deserve the strongest protections possible. 

The bill, S. 2531, ensures that public and private transit workers receive the same protection from violent assaults as public employees. Rising violence in public transit is a problem that’s too common nationwide.  

“We’ve got the momentum on our side, but we can’t let up now,” said SMART-TD’s New England Safety and Legislative Director Dave Stevenson. “With the help of our SMART-TD family, I’m confident that we can get this legislation over the finish line and make it clear that transit safety is an urgent issue. Let’s get this done!” 

SMART-TD members are asked to attend the hearing to show our support for the legislation. 

On October 22, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed its version of the bill by a vote of 160-0, sending a clear message that lawmakers see the urgent need for this legislation.  Support for the bill in the Senate is strong, but no lawmakers’ vote can be taken for granted. If passed tomorrow, the bill will be one step closer to being signed into law.

Make the Punishment Fit the Crime

S. 2531 guarantees that contracted transit employees, such as Keolis Commuter Services conductors, engineers, and onboard crews, are granted the same legal protections against assaults as their counterparts working directly for public transit authorities.  
 
Currently assault on a public employee in Massachusetts carries a penalty of up to 120 days in jail or a maximum $5,000 fine 
 
If passed, the bill would ensure that this same punishment would also apply to transit workers employed by private companies like Keolis, which employs over 500 SMART-TD members.  
 
S. 2531 also adds “bodily fluids” to the definition of an assault, which imposes strong incentives for passengers assaulting our members with their spit or urine. 

Assaults on Keolis Employees Continue to Rise

Cole Czub, chairperson of Local 898 and vice chairperson of SMART-TD’s Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee, points out that this isn’t an issue that exists in a vacuum: it’s a real problem that our members face every day.  
 
“I refuse to let our SMART-TD brothers and sisters who work for Keolis fall through the cracks because of an unintended loophole in the current law,” said Czub. “If passage of this bill results in one less headline about yet another violent attack on public transportation, that’s a win for transit safety across the country.”  
 
SMART News has covered the issue of transit assault in-depth, and we will continue to highlight this glaring problem until all bus and transit operators can perform their jobs with the utmost professionalism in the safest environment possible.  
 
Passage of this bill gets us one step closer to one day making that a reality.  
 
Support S. 2531 and help strengthen transit safety in New England! 

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General Chairman Rick Pauli has announced his retirement after 32 years as a railroader. As he steps away, Rick leaves a stronger, more resilient union in his wake. His care and contributions will resonate for years to come. 

Brother Pauli hired onto Amtrak in January 1993 as a Passenger Conductor.  He became Local Chairman of Harrisburg Local 816 in 2009 before becoming General Committee Secretary in 2013. In November of 2018, he moved up to Vice General Chairman before ascending to General Chairman of GO-769 the following February.   

Pauli successfully negotiated several collective bargaining agreements, bringing unprecedented wage increases to his members.  This includes the 2024 Amtrak Agreement that delivered the highest wage increase in Amtrak’s history.  

He has arbitrated hundreds of cases, reinstating several members with full back pay while establishing precedents that protect all our members across a range of claims-related issues. 

 In addition, Pauli helped our members navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and other unprecedented challenges on the railroad. 

Rick’s dedication, leadership, tireless advocacy, and commitment to improving the lives of those he represented have made a lasting impact. He will always be our brother, and we wish him the very best in this next chapter of his life.  

Brother Rick Pauli, we say thank you, for your service to this union and leadership in GO-769. 

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March 24, 2025  — SMART-TD GO-769, led by General Chairperson Rick Pauli, has reached a tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services. Keolis employs 450 SMART-TD represented conductors and assistant conductors on behalf of the MBTA in Boston. 

If you are a Keolis employee please contact Secretary/Treasurer Cole Czub (cole.czub@yahoo.com) to verify your address, email and phone number as soon as possible.     

The ratification process will be conducted electronically through BallotPoint. Instructions for casting a ballot will be mailed to each member over the next few days.  

The tentative agreement includes: 

•  Retroactive pay from July 1, 2023. 

• Scheduled general wage increases (GWI): July 1, 2023 – 5%, July 1, 2024 – 5%, July 1, 2025 – 5%. July 1, 2026 – 5%, June 15, 2027 – 5% plus an additional $2.00 per hour. 

• These increases compound to 32.69% for conductors and 33.51% for assistant conductors over the life of the agreement. 

• Three (3) additional paid sick days per year. 

• The addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday. 

• The modification of vacation allotments for new employees within their first two years of service. 

• Modification of bereavement leave to include additional family members. 

 These increases were negotiated with minimal work rule changes. The significant GWI increase provides a precedent for other commuter railroads moving forward.  

Pauli would like to thank Local 898 Chairpersons Cole Czub and Kenny Owens, Vice General Chairperson John Vessels, GO-769 Secretary Javier Ramirez and Vice President David Weir. Pauli would also like to thank former Local 898 Chairperson Wayne Thistle and former GO-769 Secretary DeVar Thompson for their contributions early in the process. Without their help this TA would not have been possible. 

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Attention SMART-TD Members,

We are calling all available members to join forces with our 500 dedicated SMART-TD brothers and sisters at the MBTA commuter railroad operated by Keolis in Boston, Massachusetts. Our members have been without a contract since July 1, 2022, and they need our support now more than ever.

Stand with us for fair wages and affordable healthcare! Bring your signs, wear your union gear, and let’s make our voices heard!

Details of the rally

On Wednesday, October 23, a rally will be held to support all rail labor impacted by Keolis’s negligence. This rally is a vital opportunity to show solidarity and demand what our members rightfully deserve. RESPECT!!!

• When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23
• Where: South Station, 700 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110
• Focus: Fighting for fair wages and affordable healthcare

Why action is needed

Keolis, the massive French multinational who operates MBTA’s commuter rail, has shown a shocking disregard for our member’s worth and contributions. Despite ongoing negotiations, Keolis has shown a clear lack of commitment to bargaining in good faith, treating SMART-TD members along with members of BLE, IBEW, IAM, ATDA, BRS, TCU, and BRC with the same disrespect. They may get away with this kind of behavior on their rail lines in Shanghai or Qatar, but it’s not going to work in Massachusetts.

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In a significant development for transit workers across the nation, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced its first-ever general directive aimed at addressing the alarming rise in assaults against transit operators. This directive, formally known as General Directive 24-1, requires more than 700 transit agencies to implement measures to enhance the safety of frontline workers.

Acting FTA Administrator Veronica Vanterpool highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “No American should go to work and worry they will not return home safely. That is particularly true for the transit workers who were valuable frontline workers in our nation’s time of need.” She emphasized that the directive is just one step toward improving safety for transit professionals who face increasing risks on the job.

Jared Cassity, Alternate National Legislative Director for the SMART-TD Transit Union, expressed enthusiasm for the new directive. “FTA has just issued a first-ever general directive, and, rightfully, is focused on the number one issue of operator assault. We have actively lobbied for the FTA to gain more enforcement authority — something they have historically lacked. We recognize Administrator Vanterpool for taking the bull by the horns and doing a fantastic job in this vital area.”

SMART-TD, led by our Bus Department and the Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee, has been in ongoing communication with FTA throughout the multi-year process leading to this announcement. The union has expressed gratitude for the unprecedented level of outreach from FTA during this critical initiative.

“The collaborative efforts between SMART-TD and FTA have been invaluable,” SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President Alvy Hughes noted. “We share their vision of stopping the epidemic of transit assault, and we are committed to working alongside the FTA, Administrator Vanterpool, and the Biden-Harris administration to protect our transit professionals.

“This union has given detailed reports of what needs to happen to protect our transit members to FTA. Administrator Vanderpool met with us this summer to discuss how to make this happen. FTA’s Chief Safety Officer, Joe DeLorenzo, came to SMART-TD’s National Training Seminar to work with our BTAPS committee and local officers from our bus and transit locals across the country,” he said.  “When they reached out to us, they weren’t explaining to us what ‘their’ plan was. They wanted our first-hand experiences, information, and insight to help them mold ‘our combined’ plan. I’ve never seen this kind of responsiveness from an administration. So far, the results reflect their effort. VP James Sandoval and I are pleased they have decided the time for further studies is over and that they are putting the plan into action to protect our people.”

General Directive 24-1 mandates that transit agencies conduct risk assessments, identify strategies for mitigating risks and ensure the involvement of joint labor-management Safety Committees in these efforts. This proactive approach comes in response to a troubling 120 percent increase in reported assaults against transit workers from 2013 to 2021.

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Amtrak employees have ratified a new 7-year agreement. Approved by a 3-1 margin, as negotiated by General Chairpersons Francis Ariola (GO 663) and Rick Pauli (GO 769), the agreement brings increases in pay, training and healthcare to over 2,100 members.

“Our members are a major part of the experience passengers have aboard Amtrak, and they have approved this contract as appropriate for their work,” SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson said. “Congratulations to our membership and GCs Ariola and Pauli in getting a fair contract for our members!”

Negotiations began after examining Amtrak executive bonuses. Pauli was quoted as saying at the time “It’s good to know the company has all that bonus money available. [We] will make sure to keep that in mind when discussing our members’ future wages.” Both chairpersons kept their promises.

The tentative agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2022, through December 1, 2028. It includes a full retroactive pay increase dating back to July 1, 2022. General Chairpersons Ariola and Pauli will provide information to their members about when they will receive their back pay.

Other highlights

• A general wage increase;
• Full retroactive pay dating back to July 1, 2022. This increase will apply to the short crew payments as well as the general wages.
• 10 weeks (about 2.5 months) of paid parental leave;
• The addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday;
• An increase in training pay;
• The addition of pay protection for emergency annulments;
• The addition of compensation for deadheads to classes;
• All current employees will keep AmPlan I as their healthcare plan;
• It drops the 90% of the 75% and 80% when working in the yard;
• Improvements to bereavement pay to include 3 working days rather than 3 consecutive days off;
• Increases overtime pay for employees who are on 3- and 4-day yard assignments on their relief days;
• Increases new hire training per diem to $40;
• Increases away-from-home terminal expenses;
• Increases conductor certification pay.

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