The #UnionDifference: Brother Rasool Aleem is back to work with full back pay after a wrongful dismissal. SMART-TD won in arbitration by knowing the contract and refusing to be intimidated by the other side: www.smart-union.org/philadelphia...

“I told him, ‘Go make something of your life, join a union, get into HVAC, it’s a good trade with a lot of opportunity,’” recalled Josh Edgington. “Then, to be honest, I joined because he joined.” Sheet metal is a family affair for these apprentices: news.sheetmetal-iti.org/sheet-metal-...

CSX has announced that it is dismantling Operation RedBlock, ending a union-run safety and substance abuse prevention program that saved lives and kept trains moving safely. www.smart-union.org/smart-td-and...

FIRE LIFE SAFETY SAVES LIVES: SMART Local 18's Jake Olson and Matt Van Der Puy joined The Fireman Kenny podcast to talk about the importance of fire and smoke dampers and the vital fire life safety work SMART members perform. open.spotify.com/episode/3o6m...

"The fact that representatives of both parties voted for this bill is proof that our issues aren’t Red or Blue — they’re just common sense." GP Coleman responds to House bill extending ACA premium tax subsidies:

SMART-TD members helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for their fellow brothers and sisters in need in 2025. This commitment to look out for one another when no one else will is our historical foundation; this solidarity is as old as our union itself: www.smart-union.org/members-help...

NEW TALKING SMART: “You are not alone. You don’t need to walk alone. Your union is here — we have your back.” Listen here (or wherever you get your podcasts): www.smart-union.org/talking-smar...

#ICYMI: A historic, first-of-its-kind rail safety bill passed both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature and is now awaiting the governor’s signature! www.smart-union.org/new-jersey-t...

MARYLAND: On Monday, Dec. 22, a federal judge in Greenbelt, Maryland will hear arguments on ICE’s request to take Kilmar Abrego Garcia back into custody while the government decides whether he can stay in the country. Supporters and allies are rallying on Monday for Kilmar to remain with his family.

“We come from the ranks, so we know how dangerous the railroad is. We know who needs the products.” SMART-TD Louisiana State Safety & Legislative Director Chris Christianson works to help his brothers and sisters access benefits designed to help members and their families: youtu.be/XSpmeZ0VeHc?...

The latest BE4ALL Learning Journey, From Service to Skilled Trades: A Conversation with Veterans, is now available as a podcast! Learn from military veterans about their service, their transition to the sheet metal industry, SMART Heroes, the GI Bill and more: www.buzzsprout.com/2067249/epis...

“We were really hoping for jobs.” A massive project in the Flint area was set to put hundreds of Michigan sheet metal members to work. But then political chaos got in the way — and now, the project has stalled. Learn more from our Local 7 brother Mike Carpenter: youtu.be/F0fsujEzu5o?...

Welcome home, brother.

SMART MEMBERS WIN BIG IN CHICAGOLAND WITH TRANSIT FUNDING LAW: youtu.be/eXHC7R29qw0?... “Our voices will be heard to protect not only our members currently, but hopefully our future members, as we look to expand transit and have a transit system worthy of 10, 15, 20 years down the line.”

Our SMART brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is finally free and back with his family. After months of unions and allies pushing for justice, due process prevailed. This is what solidarity looks like and why we never stop fighting for our members and their families.

On December 11, 2025, a federal judge ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention. Read SMART General President Michael Coleman's statement in response: www.smart-union.org/federal-judg...

SMART attended a briefing on the importance of school infrastructure funding yesterday. Our public schools need infrastructure improvements to serve students, teachers and entire communities — and SMART members are the skilled workers who will take on those jobs.

Local 100 Marketing Director Chuck Sewell: "When companies illegally label employees as independent contractors, or misclassify them to a lower standard, they avoid paying proper wages, benefits, workers’ compensation, and payroll taxes.

"At the close of business on Friday ... the FRA quietly approved a rule change that cuts required human track inspections in half. For the crews running 20,000-ton trains across this country, that isn’t a small tweak. It’s a direct increase in our risk." www.smart-union.org/fra-doubles-...

“I’m grateful to all our brothers & sisters who never stopped showing up and sent a message to our lawmakers that it’s time to get this done,” said SMART-TD’s Dave Stevenson. “This victory belongs to the men & women who keep Boston and the Commonwealth moving!” www.smart-union.org/new-mass-law...

Pictured: SMART Canada members spreading the word about good, union jobs at Level Up! skilled trade career fairs in Ontario! These events continue to be a powerful organizing tool, helping inspire the next generation of SMART members across Ontario.

On November 28, 2025, SMART-TD announced that members working on Union Pacific (UP) properties voted to ratify the recently negotiated 2025 tentative agreement. Read SMART General President Michael Coleman's statement in response: www.smart-union.org/smart-genera...

"We grieve with Amber’s family, with her co-workers, with every tradeswoman who saw herself in this story ... We share your grief. We share your anger. And we refuse to be silent." Read the SMART Women's Committee statement on Amber Czech: www.smart-union.org/smart-womens...

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent all of you. And on behalf of the SMART General Executive Council, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving." Happy Thanksgiving to SMART members + families across the United States! Read GP Coleman's message to members: www.smart-union.org/general-pres...

Throwback to the April 1957 Members' Journal, which showcased SMART sheet metal workers on the job at the Jefferson Memorial!

The newest episode of the Talking SMART podcast is LIVE NOW! Listen here: www.smart-union.org/talking-smar... This is the first episode in the first-ever themed season of Talking SMART, which will focus on mental health and the resources available to SMART members and families.

For the second year in a row, SMART-TD Local 1594 members who work for SEPTA are looking at next steps after the transit agency offered a low-ball contract that fails to address the needs of our brothers and sisters while making unnecessary cuts: www.smart-union.org/press-releas...

Get involved, stay active, and keep your union strong.

I had a great time visiting @smart-union.bsky.social Local36. They have an incredible facility with a record number of apprentices. In Congress, it will be an honor to fight for their rights, healthcare & opportunities. Together, we will #PassTheProAct & build a strong Missouri for working families.

#PartnersInProgress: When SMACNA's Allied Mechanical Services bid to be one of the sheet metal contractors working on a massive EV battery plant in mid-Michigan, SMART Local 7 was ready to take on the challenge: issuu.com/partnersinpr...

"Strong wages and benefits don’t just attract new workers — they retain experienced ones. When people know they can earn a family-supporting wage, access quality healthcare and retire with dignity, they stay." www.constructiondive.com/news/no-skil...

As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history. Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX

Now online: The Fall 2025 SMART Members' Journal! Read messages from International leadership, a recap of the 2025 SMART Leadership Conference, local and union-wide news, and much more: www.smart-union.org/category/mem...

Iowa railroader and union leader Chris Smith was elected to the Tama City Council, bringing his long-standing commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and working-class advocacy from the rail yards to local government: www.smart-union.org/smart-tds-ch...

"These good people are tired of being disrespected," said Mike Owen, president of Central States Regional Production Council of SMART. "To take away their stools that they use every day and force them to be down on their knees, I mean, that's disrespect."

Bargaining collectively is the pillar of our union — the reason SMART members win stellar pay, benefits and protections on the job. That’s why leaders attended the SMART Education Department’s Collective Bargaining class from October 20 – 24 in Houston, Texas: www.smart-union.org/leaders-trai...

IBEW Local 269’s hall in Trenton, N.J., was a hive of activity on Election Day: over 500 union members, led by SMART-TD's Ron Sabol, worked to canvass neighborhoods, drive voters to the polls, and make calls for pro-union candidates at every level of government: www.smart-union.org/new-jerseys-...

Even as the news is flooded with families devastated to discover their health premiums are doubling or tripling - bills they simply can’t afford - the Trump admin is still refusing to extend the ACA tax breaks. Tell Trump and his allies in Congress: stop the health care crisis!

"It's not just, you got the new worker in [to the union] and gave up; you're always there to support them." Local 280 (Vancouver) Business Manager Steve Davis detailed how his local has organized and grown in recent years, improving the lives of sheet metal workers in B.C. youtu.be/mFb_NZaTB28?...

For Alabama sheet metal apprentice Lulu Godebski, SMART Local 48 offered more than just stellar pay, benefits and a fulfilling career -- it provided her with a place she feels at home. youtu.be/50J-W968Wbc?...

On Halloween and every other day, there's not much scarier than unidentified drones hovering over the railyard. SMART-TD is taking our union's case to the Federal Aviation Administration to get these dangerous gadgets out of our members’ workplaces once and for all. youtu.be/mhvj9IaPS58?...

SMART-TD members on BNSF, NS, CN and several Class II and Class III railroads ratified a new, 5-year collective bargaining agreement that delivers substantial economic gains and benefit improvements — without any concessions. GP Coleman's response: www.smart-union.org/general-pres...

After nine months of negotiations, SMART-TD voting members have ratified a new, five-year National Agreement that delivers substantial wage gains and benefit improvements with ZERO concessions. This agreement applies to members on BNSF, NS, CN, and several Class II and Class III railroads.

"The retirees, they retired from work. They didn't retire from craft." Local 36 retirees are working to bring a piece of St. Louis history back to life, restoring a replica of the historic USS Admiral. Hear from some of the longtime members taking on this project: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScBr...

"SMART-TD remains steadfast in its commitment to being a nonpartisan union. We judge leaders not by their political party, but by their votes, their ideas, their character, and their actions that impact transportation workers and the labor movement as a whole." www.smart-union.org/long-time-un...

SMART-TD Alt. Vice President Chris Bartz has issued a direct warning to management of the Port Terminal Railroad Association (PTRA): the ongoing disregard for union agreements, safety obligations and basic respect for the workforce will not be tolerated. www.smart-union.org/smart-td-to-...

Each day, SMART-TD’s school bus operators take on one of the most important responsibilities in transportation: ensuring that millions of children are transported safely to and from school. www.smart-union.org/honoring-the...

#ICYMI: Nearly 500 SMART sisters and allies from across North America traveled to Chicago, Ill., for Tradeswomen Build Nations — the world’s largest gathering of tradeswomen. Alongside more than 6,000 fellow union workers, SMART members and leaders put the power of solidarity on full display.

SMART members from across North America gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this week for the annual SMART Army training, facilitated by the SMART Communications Department.

The Education Department held its New Representatives I class in St. Louis in early September, 2025. The class, completely revamped for 2025, provided officers with the chance to develop their skills across a range of areas — ultimately benefiting SMART members. www.smart-union.org/union-office...