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

The post FTA Shares Resources to Help Recognize Human Trafficking appeared first on SMART Union.

Hate to say we told you so

For years, SMART-TD members have warned federal regulators, transit agencies, and railroad executives about the dangers of turning America’s transportation systems over to automation. We were told we were overreacting. We were told computers would make railroads safer and more efficient. We were told to calm down because there were no monsters in the closet.

This week proved why our concerns are justified.

Critical Infrastructure is being tested and targeted

Reports now link the recent cyberattack against the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to Iranian-backed hackers. Investigators say the attackers gained access to internal systems tied to one of the nation’s largest transit agencies, disrupting services and exposing sensitive operational data.

The question is, will regulators listen now, or does there have to be a mass casualty event before our obvious concerns are taken seriously?

This is exactly what SMART-TD warned about when the FRA continued approving dangerous automation policies while ignoring the concerns of frontline railroaders. The threat is no longer theoretical. It is happening now.

Hostile foreign actors have already proven they possess both the intent and the capability to target critical American infrastructure, including transportation systems.

And yet, federal regulators continue to allow carriers to expand automation deeper into rail operations.

Automation Creates New Vulnerabilities

Systems like CSX’s “Zero-to-Zero” Trip Optimizer increasingly place train handling, throttle control, and even the air brake functions into the hands of computers instead of trained railroaders. Every time regulators approve another layer of automation, they create another point of vulnerability for cyber criminals and hostile foreign governments to exploit.

This is not Hollywood fiction anymore.

Every rail line in America is critical infrastructure. Freight railroads move chemicals, fuel, military equipment, food, and the supplies that keep our economy alive. Passenger and commuter systems move millions of Americans every day. All of this occurs in the middle of dense populations and within feet of major water supplies and dangerous industrial environments.

When the transportation systems become more dependent on interconnected automation than trained and certified American workers, they become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. It is a very simple concept.

And when those systems fail, it is not corporate executives or software engineers standing on the front lines protecting the public.

It is transportation workers like every one of us at SMART-TD.

Transportation workers are the answer

A trained and certified railroader or bus operator can recognize danger, adapt to changing conditions, and respond when systems malfunction or communications fail. A computer cannot replace human judgment, experience, and situational awareness in a crisis.

That is why SMART-TD has consistently fought against reckless automation policies that prioritize profits over safety and national security. When we see those who are government officials publicly calling for tax dollar investment in things like Parallel Systems, fully automated rail cars, or driverless taxi technology to be used in mass transit, we can’t help but ask what part of this situation they aren’t able to understand.

The attack on LACMTA should be a wake-up call for the FRA, FTA, and DOT. America is moving toward a future where foreign cyber terrorists could potentially disrupt, manipulate, or disable transportation systems that millions of Americans depend on daily.

That is not paranoia. It is common sense.

Federal Regulators Must Change Course

SMART-TD members are not anti-technology. We believe technology should support transportation workers instead of replacing them. The safest railroad and transit systems are the ones that keep trained, certified American workers in control of critical operations and all safety features.

Federal regulators now face a choice: continue down the dangerous path toward unchecked automation or recognize that skilled transportation workers remain the strongest defense against both accidents and cyber threats.

The warning signs are here.

The attacks have already started.

And America still has time to change course before we hand over our transportation networks and supply chain to systems vulnerable to sophisticated cyber terrorists. DOT Regulators and Congress cannot allow this country to sleepwalk into a nationwide catastrophe.

The post Why Are We Sleepwalking into A Transportation Cyber War? appeared first on SMART Union.

There are moments when solidarity is tested.

This is one of those moments.

Friends of Santa Cruz METRO officially confirmed this week that the campaign will not meet the timeline necessary to place its transit funding measure on the November 2026 ballot. But the campaign itself is very much alive, and in many ways, stronger than ever.

The effort has already collected approximately 7,000 signatures entirely through volunteer labor, putting the campaign ahead of pace to qualify the measure within the full 180-day signature gathering window ending August 7.

That means the mission now is clear: SMART-TD members, transit advocates, riders, and working families still have the power to help secure the remaining 5,500 signatures needed to protect the future of Santa Cruz METRO and the union jobs that depend on it.

This fight did not end on May 11.

It simply entered a new phase.

The Math Is Simple and Powerful

The campaign needs approximately 12,500 valid signatures by August 7.

Roughly 7,000 signatures have already been gathered through grassroots volunteer efforts.

That means approximately 5,500 signatures remain.

Now break that down:

• More than 100 union jobs remain connected to the long-term future of this system.
• 5,500 signatures remain to be gathered.
• Every 55 valid signatures collected represents a brother/sister’s job protected.
• SMART-TD Local 23 has more than 250 active members.
• If every member collected just 22 signatures between now and August, the remaining goal will be reached.

That is achievable.

This campaign has already demonstrated something powerful. Working people can build a serious grassroots movement when they believe their community is worth fighting for.

The Stakes Have Not Changed

Without sustainable local funding, Santa Cruz METRO still faces the possibility of devastating operational cuts over the coming years.

Those cuts threaten service, routes, reliability, and the livelihoods of more than 100 SMART-TD members represented by Local 23.

These are operators and transit professionals who have dedicated themselves to serving Santa Cruz County through difficult years that included the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages, inflation, and operational uncertainty.

Now they are fighting to protect the transit system they helped build.

And the need for that system has never been clearer.

According to Friends of Santa Cruz METRO, ridership is now at its highest level in more than a decade. Total ridership increased 42.5% from late 2024 to late 2025, while local non-student ridership surged by more than 86%.

The Youth Cruz Free program has also helped produce a staggering 500% increase in student ridership.

People are using transit because they need transit.

Working families need it.
Students need it.
Seniors need it.
People with disabilities need it.
And increasingly, working-class communities priced out by rising costs of living depend on it every single day.

This Is About More Than One Election

The reality is that qualifying for the November 2026 ballot became impossible because of timing constraints involved in Sacramento legislation and county election deadlines.

But that does not mean the measure failed.

Far from it.

In fact, the campaign is now positioned to qualify for the March 2028 primary election ballot or a special election if county leaders choose to act sooner.

That matters because we clearly have the public’s support.

Volunteers report overwhelmingly positive reactions from riders and residents. Many community members already understand that Santa Cruz METRO is an essential public service and that losing routes or reducing operations would hurt the entire county.

The mission now is to finish what was started.

What SMART-TD Members Can Do Right Now

This is the stage of a campaign where unions prove who they are.

Not through statements.
Not through slogans.
Through action.

SMART-TD members can help by:

• Volunteering at transit centers and community events.
• Encouraging registered Santa Cruz County voters to sign.
• Helping ensure signatures are complete, legible, and valid.

Get In The Fight

If every SMART-TD member treats these next three months as if the future of our union family depends on it (because it does), then this campaign is absolutely within reach.

If you want to get involved and help save jobs, please contact Friends of Santa Cruz Coordinator, Ella Beck, at (831) 471-7291. She can get you plugged in, get the correct petition in your hands, and help coordinate its return.

Sister Beck can be reached at ellamarevabeck@gmail.com or by phone at (831) 471-7291.

Accuracy Matters

Every valid signature brings the campaign one step closer to protecting service and preserving union jobs.

The New Deadline Is August 7

The pressure facing transit agencies across America is real.

But so is the solidarity inside SMART-TD.

The newest members of Local 23 joined this union because they believed in what their brothers and sisters had built in Santa Cruz over the past decade. Many changed careers and left previous employers because they believed this union movement was worth being part of.

And moments like this are when unions either reinforce that belief or lose it.

This Fight Is Winnable

The campaign is alive.
The support is real.
The momentum is still there.

Now comes the hard part: finishing the job.

So make the calls.
Take the petitions.
Talk to riders.
Talk to neighbors.
Talk to your coworkers.
Bring friends and family into the effort.

Because solidarity is not measured by what we say when things are easy.

It is measured by what we do when the fight gets harder.

The post WE Have the Power to Protect Jobs in Santa Cruz appeared first on SMART Union.

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who can say that being stuck in traffic 20 years ago set them on the path to where they are today.

Markeisha Haynes (Local 1785, Santa Monica, Calif.) is one of those people.

It was the mid-2000s, and she was tired of working dead-end jobs that didn’t provide a decent income to support herself and her two kids.

One day, she happened to pass a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus in traffic and wondered if that could provide the stability she wasn’t getting in other jobs.

“It was on a whim,” Haynes remembers when describing her decision to apply to become a Bus Operator. “I was initially nervous…because when you see the buses, it’s a little intimidating, right? So going into it was definitely a little challenging in the beginning.”

That was 20 years ago. She’s still a full-time Bus Operator but has gained some new titles, including Alternate Vice President (AVP) Bus-West, and is currently the only female vice president at the international level within SMART-TD.

Climbing the Ranks While Staying True to Her Beginnings

After getting hired, it didn’t take long for AVP Haynes to know that she wanted to do more.

Initially, she was a line instructor who helped new hires learn how to operate a motor coach, a role that she credits as a start to venturing out into other positions.

When she wanted to have more input in the direction of Local 1785, she decided to reach out to the Vice General Chairperson to learn how to get more involved.

His response: What took you so long?

“He had mentioned that he saw something in me…he saw this fire in me, this drive in me, and…he was getting ready to retire,” she explained.

He allowed her to shadow him before he retired, and she ultimately ran for the position.

“I was nervous at the time, because I didn’t have any experience in any of the positions,” said AVP Haynes. “It was really scary to take on the position, but there was just something in me that I knew I could do it. I campaigned, I won, and it was amazing. It’s just been up from there.” 

Today, in addition to being an Alternate Vice President, she’s also…

• General Chairperson for the General Committee of Adjustment for Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines (GCA SMB)
• Local Chairperson for the Local Committee of Adjustment for Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines (LCA SMB)
• Secretary for the Association of General Chairpersons (District 3)
• Member of the Field Service Committee
• Member of the Organizing Committee

The fact that AVP Haynes is still a full-time Bus Operator has allowed her to truly make an impact in each of these roles. She doesn’t just guess what the membership wants: she experiences it firsthand.

“I stay connected to what’s still happening here, whether it’s out on the road, being in the seat, driving and operating my vehicle,” she said. “I tell a lot of the Operators, ‘I understand. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to feel overworked. I know what it feels like when you’re underpaid.’”

Trusting Her Gut to Deliver Strong Results for the Membership

Something that stands out the most to AVP Haynes is what she’s been able to win for her members when it’s time to negotiate a new contract.

The first contract that she negotiated not long after becoming a General Chairperson resulted in an 18% wage increase over three years. The second contract resulted in a 19% wage increase, both of which were unprecedented.

She kept one question front and center in her mind during negotiations, especially since she hadn’t been a general chairperson for very long: is this good for my membership?

“It has to start with us (General Chairpersons and leadership roles), because the members are looking to us,” she explained. “So if we don’t put ourselves in the position where we ask ourselves ‘Is this good for me? Am I okay with this?’ and if we have to question it, then it’s not good, and then your members are not going to be okay with it. It starts and ends with us.”

“We Can Only Attract What We See”

As the only female in a leadership role at the international level, AVP Haynes admits it took her a minute to get used to often being the only woman at the table.

“Initially, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m the only woman. Wait, hold on…maybe I shouldn’t say this or maybe I shouldn’t say that,’” she remembered. “But you know, it’s one of those things…I’m just going to be me. I’m just going to be who I am and who I am to the core. I can do it, too.”

She’s hopeful that mantra will lead to more union sisters holding similar leadership positions.

“All we see is the male-dominated industry…we have to step outside of that and be willing to change,” she explained. “That’s stepping outside of being comfortable. That’s putting your voice out there. That’s not being afraid to speak up. I just believe that the more that we showcase that women are in these positions, I think that will get more excited about holding a leadership role, because we only attract what we can see.”

She believes that one of the ways to help do that is to showcase women in various leadership roles throughout our union so that more of them will consider stepping forward.

“I would love to see more women involved in different officer positions in the union. I would love to support that,” she said. “Whether it’s mentor, give guidance, or whatever I can do to help the next person move up, I’m all for it: making sure that women are seen and heard in these positions as well.”

That instinct to mentor and help others is ultimately what’s propelled VP Haynes to where she is today. 

“I believe there’s no stopping me. There’s no limit to how far I can go because of the drive that I have to help people.”

The post From Stuck in Traffic to Blazing the Trail: The Rise of AVP Markeisha Haynes appeared first on SMART Union.

For the second year in a row, SMART-TD General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) 875 (Los Angeles, Calif.) leads the way in transit safety improvements for our brothers and sisters who work for Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority (LACMTA). This comes at a time when attacks on Operators show no signs of slowing down on both a local and national level.

Building off its 2024 successes, GCA-875 notched several major achievements in 2025. In particular, the successful installation of Operator barriers across the entire Metro bus fleet has demonstrated a significant improvement in the safety of our members. By continuing to advance safety, technology, and workforce excellence, GCA-875 is ensuring that its members remain protected, supported, and prepared for the future of public transportation.

GCA-875 Sets the Standard for Operator Safety Industry-Wide

One of GCA-875’s biggest accomplishments in 2024 was the creation of the Los Angeles Transit Police Department, which focuses on safeguarding both passengers and Operators.

In July of 2025, GCA leadership met with Metro’s new Chief of Police William Scott and its in-house police department to discuss its future collaborative efforts. Chief Scott plans to hire approximately 700 officers to strengthen safety across the transit system and provide even more protection for SMART-TD Operators.

An incident in October of 2025 underscores why the need for improved safety across the transit agency is critical.

While Brother Kerry Stuart (Local 1564, Los Angeles, Calif.) was on duty, one of his passengers was violently assaulted by another rider and sustained a serious neck injury.

Borther Stuart didn’t hesitate and took decisive action. He removed his shirt, applied pressure to the wound and remained with the injured passenger until medical help arrived. His quick thinking and bravery were instrumental in saving the passenger’s life, and he was honored for his heroic actions.

New Pilot Program Enhances Operator Awareness

With input from SMART-TD, Metro continues to advance safety innovation with pilot programs for the Mobileye Shield+ Collision Avoidance System and the Luminator Video Mirror System, new technologies designed to enhance Operator awareness and reduce roadway risks.

The Luminator Video Mirror provides some of the following benefits to Operators…

• Increased safety: The system alerts the driver of a potential danger in the blind spot area by switching on a light. This allows the driver to have an optimized view of their environment.
• Reduced driver fatigue, including less strain on the eyes
• Integrated systems to ensure that cameras can always take critical images

Projects Honored with Multiple Prestigious Awards

Held in March of 2025, Metro’s annual Moscars Awards celebrate excellence throughout the agency, and GCA-875 and its officers received special recognition for both their leadership and dedication in successfully completing the Operator Barrier Project across the entire Metro bus fleet.

The completion of the barrier installations marks a major milestone in enhancing Operator safety system-wide. The commitment, persistence, and collaboration demonstrated by SMART leadership and Metro partners were instrumental in bringing this project to full completion.

Just three months later, GCA-875 General Chairperson John M. Ellis and LACMTA CEO Stephanie Wiggins accepted an award for “Project of the Year” for the same initiative at the annual California Transportation Foundation Awards, highlighting the project’s impact on safety, innovation, and labor-management collaboration.

Effort to Protect Operators is Rooted in Teamwork

As General Chairman Ellis explains, the strong partnership between Metro and SMART-TD underscores what’s possible when labor and management work constructively to improve the safety of Operators system-wide. “Through a joint collaborative effort with Metro, we will continue to protect our Operators with the latest technology available,” he said.

The post LACMTA Operators Benefit from Year of Safety Wins appeared first on SMART Union.

Recent incidents involving autonomous vehicles have raised new questions about how driverless technology interacts with the transportation systems our members operate every day.

In a widely circulated video from Austin, Texas, a Waymo driverless taxi stopped dangerously close to an active railroad crossing as a train passed within inches of the vehicle. Fortunately, the car had no passengers and no collision occurred. But the situation highlights how even advanced autonomous systems can misinterpret complex transportation environments.

This isn’t an isolated concern. Investigations and driver reports have also raised alarms about Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” software struggling at railroad crossings. In one viral incident, a Tesla operating with the system drove directly through lowered crossing gates, and multiple drivers have reported their vehicles failing to recognize flashing lights, barriers, or approaching trains.

For the members of the SMART Transportation Division, these incidents are not just tech glitches. They are real-world safety risks.

Impact on Bus Members

In cities where robotaxis are being deployed, bus operators are already dealing with new challenges. Driverless vehicles operating in dense urban traffic can behave unpredictably, creating additional hazards for professional drivers responsible for moving dozens of passengers safely through crowded streets.

At the same time, these same autonomous services are being positioned as competitors in the public transportation space, potentially replacing union jobs that have long provided safe, reliable mobility for communities.

A New Concern for Rail Members

Rail members face a new and different problem. What happens when these vehicles encounter railroad crossings?

Professional train crews know that when something goes wrong at a crossing, the consequences can be life changing. Engineers and conductors cannot stop a train quickly and when a vehicle enters a crossing improperly, the crew may be forced to witness a catastrophic event they have little ability to prevent.

Reports of autonomous vehicles stopping on tracks, ignoring crossing arms, or misinterpreting rail infrastructure raise serious questions about whether this technology is ready to share the roadway with trains. We already know the answer to how they are adding a dangerous layer to the jobs of our bus operators. 

For rail workers, a collision involving a driverless car is not just a headline. It’s a critical incident that affects their safety, their careers, and their mental health for years to come.

Technology Must Work for Safety and Workers

SMART-TD is not opposed to technology or innovation. Our industry has always evolved with new tools and systems that improve efficiency and safety.

But technology must make transportation safer, not introduce new and unpredictable hazards for workers and the public.

Autonomous vehicles are being deployed rapidly on public roads and near critical infrastructure like rail crossings. Before that expansion continues, regulators and technology companies must ensure these systems can reliably understand and safely interact with the complex transportation environments that union bus operators and rail crews navigate every day.

Our members already carry enormous responsibility for public safety. The last thing they should have to worry about is whether we’ll carry the trauma of hurting or killing people so that Waymo and Tesla executives can continue their race to see who can deploy their unsafe products on the road the fastest.

Automation and the Threat to Union Jobs

Beyond the immediate safety concerns, driverless technology also raises a larger question for the future of transportation work. If companies can normalize the idea that taxis and personal vehicles no longer need drivers, how long will it be before they argue that buses no longer need operators either?

Public transit systems depend on highly trained professional operators who do far more than steer a vehicle. They manage passenger safety, respond to emergencies, assist riders with disabilities, and navigate constantly changing traffic conditions. Replacing that human expertise with automation would not only put good union jobs at risk; it would also put passengers and the public in serious danger.

Rail members are not immune from these pressures either. In Georgia, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad has been working with a company (Parallel Systems) founded by former SpaceX engineers to test autonomous railcar technology. They recently announced they are jumping from phase 2 of the testing process the FRA agreed to, all the way to Phase 5. This problem is not science fiction anymore. It is all too real.

While these projects are often promoted as cutting-edge innovation, they raise serious questions about whether the true goal is improving safety or simply removing skilled workers from the equation.

Operating trains and buses safely requires judgment, experience, and accountability that no algorithm can replicate. Our members understand the real-world complexities of transportation in a way that technology companies and the venture capital backing them overlooks.

SMART-TD will continue to stand up for the workers who keep our transportation systems running safely and reliably every day. Innovation should strengthen safety and support the workforce, not eliminate the professionals who make the system work and keep our communities safe.

The post Driverless Vehicles Raise Serious Concerns appeared first on SMART Union.

New Crew Room and Breakroom Safety Posters Now Available to All Locals Across Rail and Bus Departments

For more than a century, railroaders and transit workers have survived by doing what the carriers and agencies refuse to do: look out for each other. Today, SMART-TD is putting that tradition into print, literally.

Railroads Are Hiding Safety. We’re Bringing It Back Into the Light.

Across the industry, Class I carriers and short lines alike have begun quietly shifting their federally required workplace-injury postings off the crew-room walls and into computer systems most crews barely have time to access, let alone study. CSX led the charge in 2020 when it requested permission to stop posting injuries and illnesses where crews could see them. They wanted them hidden in a digital maze instead of stapled to a bulletin board where rail workers talk, learn, and prepare to work safely.

That move was approved despite objections from labor. But it means what used to be a conversation starter in every on-duty point has become an afterthought buried behind mandatory checkboxes. The result? Thirty days can pass before anyone even learns someone was hurt. That’s thirty days of walking the same bad footing, using the same bad equipment, and encountering the same conditions that caused the injury.

And CSX isn’t alone. Other carriers are following the same pattern: injuries are up, fatalities continue, and transparency is down. Instead of engaging crews, the railroads are compromising safety.

Bus Operators Are Getting The Same Treatment

And this problem isn’t just on the rails.

On the bus side, too many transit agencies are drifting down the same dangerous path: delaying, burying, or quietly minimizing the very safety information operators need right now, not weeks from now.

Across many properties, when a workplace hazard is reported, agencies have as long as 15 days (HALF A MONTH) to investigate and decide what they want to say about it. Only then do they post their findings. That delay may be tied to local policy, state, OSHA, or just an agency’s decision, but the effect on frontline workers is the same: Operators are kept in the dark, and darkness is where accidents happen.

Fifteen days is a long time for a bus operator navigating traffic, dealing with assaults, mechanical defects, blind spots, and unpredictable passengers. Too much can happen in that window. Too much already has!

So, if transit agencies and railroads won’t keep us informed in real-time, we will.
If they won’t post hazards promptly, we’ll put them on the wall ourselves.
If they’re fine with our brothers and sisters finding danger the hard way, we are not.

E-3 Committee Leading the Way for Rail and Bus Alike

Last summer, SMART-TD’s Empowerment, Education, and Engagement (E-3) Committee began designing and releasing new, eye-catching, durable safety posters for Locals to display prominently in crew rooms, breakrooms, and on-duty locations. These posters make our union visible again. They highlight everything from meeting times and SMART app resources to members’ rights and union benefits.

Now, we are adding your physical safety to that list.

Safety is at the core of everything this union stands for, and it should not be hidden in a corporate database or left sitting in an agency inbox for half a month.

These posters are free to any Local that requests them, and they are built for real daily conditions: heavy lamination so they can be written on, erased, updated, and reused day after day as hazards change.

Because that’s how safety really works.
Not on a website.
Not in a spreadsheet.
On the wall, in the room, and in the conversation.

Real Hazards Require Real-Time Awareness

When a yard foreman blows a knee stepping into a hole between tracks 17 and 18, the next foreman shouldn’t learn about it a month later from a digital document buried behind mandatory training clicks or by stepping in the same damn hole.

When a bus’s lift malfunctions, a passenger is becoming a consistent security risk, a lighting outage creates a dangerous walk path, or Route 17 becomes an assault hotspot after 8pm, the next operator shouldn’t discover that by becoming the next victim.

These dangers should be known before the next shift walks on the job. But if carriers and agencies think injury prevention isn’t worth a single piece of paper, then SMART-TD will provide that paper, laminate it, and make sure every crew room, breakroom, and reporting location puts safety back where it belongs: in plain sight.

These Posters Are for YOU, Your Crew, and Your Family

These posters are more than injury reports.
They’re a platform for hazard identification, near-miss alerts, and preventative action.

Rail or bus, these posters give local officers a tool to inform members before the injury happens, not just after.

Local Officers: Lead From the Front

Every Local Chair, Legislative Rep, and officer, rail and bus, has an opportunity and a responsibility to take part in this effort.

Posting these flyers isn’t just communication.
It’s ownership.

It’s reclaiming your workplace as union space, where members look out for each other and no one walks into a hazard blind.

When the posters go up, conversations start.
When conversations start, injuries drop.
When we take safety into our own hands, everyone goes home the way they showed up.

Locals can request the new posters directly from SMART-TD using the official order form.

It’s Time to Get Loud. It’s Time to Get Visible. It’s Time to Protect Each Other Again.
No member should ever walk into the same hazard that injured a brother or sister the day before.

Together, we will make sure they never have to.

The post Safety Starts With Us appeared first on SMART Union.

SMART-TD members in Santa Monica and the surrounding areas are asked to turn out in full force on Monday morning to support Local 1785 Sister Nydia Sandoval, who was brutally assaulted on the job two weeks ago.  
 
Her attacker, Ryan Harvey, is scheduled for a court appearance on Monday, November 3 at 8:30 a.m. PT, and local leadership wants to make sure our union is well-represented to send a clear and unmistakable message: You don’t get to assault one of our own and walk away.  
 
The hearing will be held at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (210 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles), and we urge all SMART and SMART-TD members who are able to stand with our union sister in solidarity.  

Recent Attack is Sandoval’s Fourth

A bus operator for the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Sister Sandoval was sucker-punched in the face by Harvey while she was trying to stop him from robbing and harassing two other women on her bus.  
 
As she told SMART News, this is the fourth time that Sister Sandoval has been the victim of an assault on duty. She has been sexually assaulted by a passenger, she has been hit, and at one point, a bus she was driving had its windows broken out by a man wielding a hatchet. This most recent attack left a gash on her face that required eight stitches.   

Your Presence is Power

Having our members turn out in full force at Monday’s hearing makes it clear to the court and the community that assaults on transit professionals will never be ignored, minimized, or tolerated.

The post Stand with Sister Nydia Sandoval on Monday! appeared first on SMART Union.

With deep sorrow and heartfelt respect, SMART-TD mourns the untimely passing of Brother Darryl Lennell Redmon, General Chairperson of GO-STU First Student 1704 (Kansas City, MO) who departed this life on May 26, 2025, at the age of 73.  

A Leader of Principle and Compassion

Brother Redmon’s leadership style was characterized by empathy and respect for the voices of his fellow members. Whether representing operators at the bargaining table or encouraging member participation through grassroots outreach, he led with conviction and compassion. As noted by Sister Ethel Maze, Vice Chairperson of the General Committee and President of Local 1704: 

“Mr. Redmon devoted himself fully to the betterment of our Local. He stayed late for meetings, passed out flyers to encourage membership involvement, and continuously inspired others through his dedication and tireless efforts. His commitment to our union and its members was unwavering. 

Brother Redmon was truly one of a kind. His leadership, integrity and presence will be profoundly missed by all of us at Local 1704.” 

A Calling, Not Just a Career

Though his tenure with our union was brief, the depth of his impact will be felt for years to come through the contracts he helped shape, the lives he touched, and the unwavering example of servant leadership he provided.  

Brother Redmon joined SMART-TD in September 2022 as a school bus operator in Kansas City, Missouri. From the outset, his clarity of purpose and passion for advocating on behalf of working people set him apart. Within a year, he was elected Vice President of Local 1704, and in January 2024, he was elevated to General Chairperson, a role he embraced with humility, integrity, and a relentless drive to uplift his union family. 

Outside his union roles, Brother Redmon lived a life defined by service. He was known for his love of family, dedication to the community and profound faith. 

Honoring His Life and Work

Brother Redmon’s passing is a loss not only for Local 1704 but for the entire SMART-TD family. He is survived by his five beloved children, grandchildren, siblings, his dear special friend Angela Strass, and a host of family members, friends, and colleagues who all have our deepest sympathies.  His devotion to his family and faith was as strong as his commitment to his union, and he carried both with grace and honor. 

As we mourn, we also recommit ourselves to the mission that Brother Redmon lived every day: to protect, uplift, and unite each other through solidarity and service. His legacy will live on in every contract won, every member supported, and every child safely brought home by the operators he so passionately represented. 

We extend our deepest condolences to the Redmon family and the entire Local 1704 community. May we continue to honor our brother’s life not just in memory, but in action. 

Visitation for Brother Redmon will be held at Mount Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home (10507 Holmes Rd. Kansas City, MO 64131, on Thursday, June 5 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  

The funeral service will be held the following morning from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, June 6, at the Sheffield Family Life Center Assemblies Of God (5700 Winner Rd. Kansas City, MO 64127). 

Brother Redmon’s Graveside Committal will be held at Mount Moriah Cemetery (10507 Holmes Rd. Kansas City, MO 64131, at 12:30-12:45 following the funeral service.  

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The members of California Local 1741’s Local Committee of Adjustment for San Carlos Schools (LCA SCS) have ratified a new tentative agreement with a remarkable 96% approval rate. 

Their new two-year contract brings tangible gains in wages, retirement security, workplace rights, and union protections. The ratified contract goes into effect with the first full pay period after August 1, 2025. 

Key Gains for SMART-TD Bus Members in San Carlos

• Wage Increases: A 6.8% increase in top pay over two years, by the end of this period these members will enjoy the highest rate for School Bus Operators in the region. 
• 401(k) Match Doubles: The employer match for retirement contributions will increase from $500 to $1,000 by 2027, creating a stronger path to financial security for members. 
• Union Release Time: For the first time, union officers have secured the right to be released from their shifts for official union business, giving them more flexibility to serve and protect the membership. 
• Enhanced Discipline and Grievance Procedures: Members now benefit from more favorable timelines and an improved process that strengthens their voice in disciplinary matters. 
• No Concessions Given! 

These improvements, along with additional updates throughout the contract, reflect months of determined negotiations and collaborative effort between Local 1741 LCA SCS leadership and SMART-TD’s national Bus Department. 

Union Leadership Voices

Brother Timothy Haran, General Chairperson of Local 1741 LCA SCS, praised the solidarity and dedication of the membership, saying, “Talking with our members, they wanted to see a raise in wages, they wanted to see an increase in their 401(k) plans. All in all, what we wanted was security, and we got it in this contract.” Haran added that he wanted to thank Vice President James Sandoval for his role in the negotiations. “James is old school union. That is exactly what 1741 needed to get this done.” 

James Sandoval, Vice President of the SMART-TD Bus Department, who assisted throughout the process, added: 

“Brother Haran did a tremendous job advocating for our members. This agreement not only improves conditions now, but it also lays the groundwork for even stronger contracts in the future. Something I don’t want to see get lost in this agreement is the win that Tim (Brother Haran) got, allowing the leadership of 1741 LCA SCS to take the time off work needed to represent our brothers and sisters. This is one of those easily overlooked wins that will pay dividends in the short term and long term. Our Bus Operators work hard, and they deserve to be represented by officers who aren’t constrained by how much time and effort can go into working for them!” 

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Local 1741 continues to lead by example in the fight for fair treatment, dignity, and respect for school bus operators across the country. 

SMART-TD congratulates Local 1741’s LCA SCS members on this hard-earned and well-deserved success. 

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