BUILDING BACK SMART - Smart Union
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THE MEMBERS’ JOURNAL | SPRING 2021
BACK SMART
BUILDING
8 22 37
WOMEN IN ARTICLE & TIMELINE: TWO PERSON FRA
CONSTRUCTION WEEK FIRST 100 DAYS ACTION OVERTURNED
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 1 5/10/21 7:46 PM
Help Spread Awareness About Careers in Sheet Metal
My Job is My Gym
“I get so excited when
someone (especially a
woman) comes to me
inquiring about getting into
the trades. It’s the best
decision I have ever made.”
#mjmg
As I did more research
on women in trades, and
learned of the incredible
benefits, I gave it a shot!
#M
And, I’m so glad that I did!
JM
#mjmg
G
Get the SMACNA-SMART Brand Ambassador Program Recruiting for You
The SMACNA-SMART Best Practices Market Expansion Task Force has launched a recruitment initiative to help
address the industry’s labor shortage issue. The Brand Ambassador program uses an evidence-based approach to
attract new recruits to the sheet metal trade, leveraging the positive experiences of apprentices, journeypersons, and
other members of the industry who love the trade.
Suggest your apprentices become Brand Ambassadors and actively spread the word about the advantages of SMACNA
and SMART careers to friends and family via social media. It’s easy! Those interested in being Brand Ambassadors
should tag posts with the hashtag of our recruiting campaign #MJMG. Exemplary brand ambassadors will receive
$100 Amazon gift cards.
For more information visit facebook.com/IndustrialAthleteOfficial and instagram.com/industrialathleteofficial/
For more details on these and
S HE E T M E TA L | A I R | R A I L | T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
other resources visit pinp.org
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 2 5/10/21 7:46 PM
tal
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
SHEET METAL, AIR, RAIL AND
CONTENTS
S P R I NG 2 0 2 1
TRANSPORTATION WORKERS, AFL-CIO & CLC
1750 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006-5386 2 General President’s Message 18 Online Safety Report Form
Labor Reaps Rewards Launched for TD Members
The Members’ Journal
(ISSN: 1528-2805) published quarterly of 1 st 100 Days
by the International Association 19 Outdoors
of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail
and Transportation Workers (SMART),
3 General Secretary-
1750 New York Avenue, N.W., Treasurer’s Message 20 Member Rights Under
Washington, D.C. 20006-5386. Now Is the Time to Build the LMRDA
Periodical postage paid at Washington, Back Better
D.C. and at additional mailing office.
Subscription prices: $7.50 per year per
22 Special Focus: Build Back Union
member. Change of address coupons 4 TD President’s Message
should be sent to SMART. 35 Leadership Appointments
Postmaster – send address changes to: 6 Local 58 Members Build
The Members’ Journal
1750 New York Avenue, N.W. World’s Largest Silicon 37 Court Derails Trump
Washington, D.C. 20006-5386 Chip Plant FRA Overreach
Canada Publication Mail Agreement
No. 40009551
7 TABB Contractors on the 38 LU 20 Welcomes Longtime
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
Circulation Dept. Front Lines During COVID-19 Indiana Contractor
P.O. Box 1051
Fort Erie, ON L2A 5N8
Email: canadian_returns@smart-union.org 8 SMART Sisters Take 39 Funds Spotlight
Center Stage 39 Davenberry Recognized
Printed in U.S.A.
40 Get Up to $600 for Preventive
Spring 2021 · Vol. 111 · No. 1 9 Canadian Affairs Care from SASMI
10 Locals Mobilize to Assist 41 Local News
JOSEPH SELLERS, JR.
General President Texas Members 41 Local 66 Signs Brewery,
Gets Own Beer Line
JOSEPH POWELL
General Secretary-Treasurer
11 Member Spotlight 42 Local 9 Graduates SMART Heroes
43 Local 265 TinHers of the Future
General Vice Presidents: 12 Putting the Brakes on Long Trains 43 SMART Army Local 83
DEREK EVANS Winter Soldiers
ARTHUR B. TOLENTINO
GARY MASINO
14 Rail, Mechanical & 44 Local 66 Youth to Youth
d RICHARD H. WERNER Engineering Report Program Flourishes
CHRISTOPHER L. GRIFFEY 46 New Local 58 Training Facility
JAMES PAQUETTE
LUTHER MEDINA
15 Remembering Union Member Who 47 SE Region Locals Launch
TIM CARTER Served as Secretary of Labor Cornhole Competition
A SCOTT PARKS
rs MIKE MOONEY
17 SMART, SMACNA Partner
BILL KENYON 48 Let Us Always Remember
e JEREMY R. FERGUSON on Diversity
GREG HYNES
CALVIN J. STUDIVANT
BRENT LEONARD
l/ JOHN D. WHITAKER III
CHADRICK J. ADAMS
ON THE COVER:
Editor:
Building Back Better
JOSEPH POWELL
for All Members
8 22 37
A periodic document of the traditions and practices of SMART members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. 1
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 1 5/10/21 7:46 PM
GENERAL
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
GENER AL PRESIDENT
JOSEPH SELLERS, JR.
First 100 days a victory
W
e have long heard the Street CEOs reversed their pension unprecedented loss of plans’ contri-
phrase, “Elections have promise made to their employees bution income.
consequences.” This while keeping their golden para- Thanks to the victories obtained
past election reflects the chutes. We saw what the disastrous in the 2020 election, we are seeing
concrete truth behind the effects of these trends would look relief for working families. We see
power of your vote and how it can be like and sacrificed to ensure our legislation that finally benefits those
used as a force for positive change. retirement funds would be secured who built America and not the 1
Nowhere is it more apparent for now and for future generations percent who have received bailout
for many members than in the of members. after bailout and mammoth income
gains made for working families in The retirement security included tax cuts, only to leave the rest of us
the American Rescue Plan (ARP) in the ARP is without any of the holding the bag. This Administration
that the Biden Administration, onerous strings that were previ- has held a laser-like focus on the
the US Senate and House of ously put on the table by Senate other 99 percent of us and has
Representatives have succeeded Republicans and the past admin- committed to uphold the campaign
in passing. This piece of legisla- istration when pension aid was promises from the past election.
tion put people and workers on being considered. No eleven-fold As you will see in this issue of the
the agenda by restoring the health premium increase. No additional Members’ Journal, this includes
of our nation — our economic and union or employer fees. No retiree COBRA assistance for those who
our physical health. Because of tax/benefit cuts. No devastating lost their jobs during the pandemic
the change in the White House, plan requirements. as well as funding to ensure our
as well as the slim pro-worker After a lifetime of hard work, brothers and sisters at Amtrak can
majority in Congress, the elected working people deserve to retire return to work. It also equips sheet
officials SMART endorsed were with dignity. We are proud of our metal members with new work
able to secure $86 billion in federal negotiated multiemployer pension opportunities through funding to
financial assistance to protect the plans, which have provided retire- retrofit antiquated HVAC systems
retirement benefits of workers and ment income security for millions of in our schools and public buildings.
retirees in critical and declining working people for decades. These are only a fraction of the pro-
multiemployer pension plans. However, since the 1980s, worker agenda items acted upon in
Make no mistake, SMART’s multiemployer plans have been this Administration’s first 100 days.
Sheet Metal National Pension jeopardized because of a series Thanks to the Biden-Harris Admin-
Fund is not among those listed of bad policy decisions. Unfair istration and the Democratically led
as financially troubled. As a side trade deals decimated domestic Congress, millions of Americans
note, SMART-TD railroad members industries, reckless deregulation who worked their entire adult life
mostly rely on Railroad Retirement. occurred in trucking and housing, to secure a safe retirement will have
Over a decade ago, our leaders and pension plan tax policy all peace of mind.
began addressing shortfalls in the were contributing factors.
retirement system that were being The COVID-19 pandemic only Fraternally,
predicted, produced through no exacerbated the dire situation for
fault of the nation’s workforce. these plans and reinforced the need
Due to the effects of the 2000 – 2001 for immediate action. Last year’s
recession, then 2008 – 2009 financial layoffs across every sector of the Joseph Sellers, Jr.
crisis and lax bankruptcy laws, Wall American economy resulted in an General President
2 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 2 5/10/21 7:46 PM
GENERAL
SECRETARY-TREASURER’S
MESSAGE
GENER AL SECRETARY-TRE ASURER
JOSEPH POWELL
Now is the time
to build back union
T
he Biden-Harris Administration’s new current needs, let alone future demands. The American
infrastructure proposal may be the most Jobs Plan will provide critical investments needed
significant investment in new American to modernize the nation’s energy delivery systems,
jobs since FDR’s New Deal in the 1930s. including power generation facilities that will employ
The nation’s infrastructure has been left in thousands of sheet metal workers working to ensure the
shambles for far too long due to years of gridlock in availability of affordable energy for all Americans.
Washington, D.C. With a new administration and Overall, our infrastructure needs are vast and will
Congress turning its focus to rebuilding America, now only continue to grow without decisive action from
is the time for real action that addresses these needs Washington, D.C.
and helps working families. Due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s support for
The Biden-Harris infrastructure proposal, called high labor standards, the American Jobs Plan will also
the American Jobs Plan, focuses on more than roads secure a broad pathway to the middle class for hundreds
and bridges, which may be the first words that of thousands of Americans, through new union jobs in
come to mind when the term “infrastructure” is all sectors of the trades, and by putting existing members
mentioned. It also includes modernizing the nation’s to work. It will also ensure that the next generation of
rail system to meet passenger rail capacity taken for American construction workers remain among the best-
trained, safest and well-equipped in the world.
This support for strong labor standards shows the
Biden-Harris Administration understands that the
labor movement is the best avenue to easing pandemic-
The nation’s infrastructure has been left related job and financial insecurity that has placed a
heavy burden on so many working families. For union
in a shambles for far too long due to years
members, this will be a major employment shot in the
of gridlock in Washington, D.C. arm, with a plethora of new work opportunities in the
immediate future — and the kind of jobs that keep
members busy for years to come.
granted by nations in Europe, and to better compete The time is now to take action. Contact your Senators
with China’s ultramodern freight rail system. In and Congresspersons about this important pending
addition, the plan would fund the retrofitting of infrastructure legislation at https://actionnetwork.org/
public buildings, including schools and colleges, so letters/rebuild-americas-infrastructure. What we do
that air systems are up-to-date, efficient and safe for today will lay the groundwork for future generations of
occupants in a world where the next pandemic could Americans to compete in a rapidly changing world.
be right around the corner.
The energy sector is another area that has significant Fraternally,
infrastructure needs, as well as pent-up and growing
demand for the safe delivery of energy to cities, busi-
nesses and homes. America’s current energy infrastructure
— including the generation, storage, transmission and Joseph Powell
distribution of energy — is inadequate to meet our General Secretary-Treasurer
SPR ING 2 021 3
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 3 5/10/21 7:46 PM
PRESIDENT —
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION’S
MESSAGE
PRESIDENT – TR ANSPORTATION DIVISION
JEREMY R. FERGUSON
Time to rise
to the challenge
B
rothers and sisters — • After receiving numerous requests, we have
As we turn from enduring a difficult winter recently created a membership option to receive the
and the challenges of a pandemic that has tested TD News electronically instead of print in efforts to
our resilience and our country for more than a reduce delivery time while saving production and
year, our organization has continued to press mailing costs.
ahead to better serve you.
• We are also in the process of expanding Field Service
The core purpose of SMART-TD is to aggressively and
assistance for local treasurers by providing addi-
vigorously defend the safety and well-being of workers
tional representatives who will be available during
and to promptly field the concerns of its membership.
select evening and weekend hours.
Ever since the installation of my administration in 2019,
we have been moving ahead to make dynamic changes • We have increased our efforts of communicating
internally and externally to the union. We want the with our members and officers, soliciting ideas
services you are entitled to as a union member to be and suggestions via personal phone conversations
delivered promptly and effectively to your satisfaction, and surveys. This includes responding to each
pandemic or not. and every phone call and email to those that have
To this end, a number of technology-related projects contacted my office with issues, concerns or ques-
have been completed. More are in the works — all tions. As I have stated several times, I value each
undertaken with the intent that we provide the best and every member and your thoughts and ideas
value and representation that your union can offer and are important to me.
that you deserve as a part of SMART-TD.
Some of these include: These are but a small example of the many projects
we are working on, but few are more important than the
• The creation of online Safety Condition and efforts underway to adapt and improve our efforts to
Technology Failure Reports to properly document educate members and officers.
and address membership issues and concerns in a While we are disappointed that 2021 marks the second
more timely manner. We have received thousands of
straight year we have not been able to have an annual
submissions with a vast majority of these concerns
regional meeting due to COVID-19, we’re making
successfully addressed by officers since their launch.
adjustments. We plan to have smaller regionally focused
• Significant improvements to the SMART phone training sessions when and where it is safe to do so.
app, with more on the way, which will provide even We’re also in the process of establishing virtual training
more functionality, utility and information. These online through the SMART University initiative that’s
include new features such as messaging functions, being developed. These will provide officer training
virtual membership cards, a listing of Local, State and resources, both visually with videos as well as with
Legislative and General Committee information and supporting documents and presentations.
contact options to members. Externally, we are working at being more visible as well.
Legislative directors in 14 states are working to get
• A revamped website is in the works that will two-person crew bills introduced after our successful
improve and expand members’ experience to find case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. They’re also
answers and information that they need. working on fighting back against Precision Scheduled
4 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 4 5/10/21 7:46 PM
Railroading (PSR) with 10 states working on bills to limit because of the pandemic are back on the job thanks
train lengths. to the American Recovery Plan championed by Joe
No doubt, it’s been a rough period, but our team is Biden. The American Jobs Plan infrastructure bill that
built for facing adversity, and more importantly, have Biden unveiled March 31 contains many of the good,
the experience and determination to address it. transportation-related provisions that last year’s H.R.
Many members have been furloughed at the whim of 2 had, such as bus and transit operator protection and
carriers thanks to PSR. We are fighting back by telling all mandating two-person freight crews. We’ll need to
of those who would listen about the increased danger all work together, be active and have our collective
posed by this mode of operation and about carriers voices heard loud and clear to get this done, but we
wanting to cut freight crews. The in-depth article that can do it.
Vice Magazine put together in late March is just one We’re going to keep making your union the best it can
example. We are looking to expand these conversations be by serving, protecting and responding to you. You are
and are reaching out to additional media outlets, as well the union. We are here for you. Let’s go!
as each and every state capital. We now have doors held Please stay safe out there, and God bless.
open, often receiving invitations to tell our side of the
story and have our voices heard on Capitol Hill, which
is a complete reversal of what we have had to endure the
past four years.
There’s much to be positive about as we roll Jeremy R. Ferguson
ahead. Amtrak members who had been furloughed President, Transportation Division
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68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 5 5/10/21 7:46 PM
Central NY sheet
metal workers building
world’s largest silicon
carbide plant
C
ree Inc. is building the
world’s largest silicon
carbide device manu-
facturing facility, and it
is being built in SMART
SM Local 58’s (Syracuse and
Central NY State) jurisdiction
in Marcy, N.Y.
The company is one of the
world’s largest manufacturers
of LED lighting and semicon-
ductor products for power
and radio-frequency applica-
tions. Cree invested $1 billion
to match a $500-million grant
from New York State to build
the world’s largest silicon
carbide manufacturing plant.
Cree’s product families include
LED fixtures and bulbs, blue
and green LED chips, high-
brightness LEDs, lighting-class
power LEDs, power-switching
devices and RF devices. Currently Local 58 has 80 members working on t
Site grading started in the fourth quarter of 2019, his over $10 million sheet metal project. Half of those
building construction commenced in the first quarter are SMART members that have traveled in from
of 2020 and building completion and clean room move around the country to lend a hand completing this
in are scheduled for the second quarter of 2021 with 18 phase of construction.
more buildings that will be going up on this site in addi- Local 58’s Business Manager Tony Castrello states
tion to the two under construction. that “a project of this size in Local 58’s jurisdiction has
John W Danforth Company currently has the sheet really helped make work easier for his staff (Business
metal portion of this project with some fabrication Representative Mike Moran and Organizer Jeff Foster)
assistance from Adirondack Sheet Metal (Both are signa- when it comes to recruiting new members from open
tory with Local 58). Titan Roofing secured the roofing shops within the area.
contract for both buildings on site. Thanks to the Central Castrello added that “Local 58 appreciates every sister
and Northern New York Building Trades Council this and brother that has traveled from around the country
project has gone 98% union even without the presence of to give us a hand with this enormous project and in
a Project Labor Agreement. making it a success.” ■
6 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 6 5/10/21 7:46 PM
Union contractors on the
front lines during COVID-19
W
hether the general public to provide testing and balancing,
realizes it or not, the said Sano, but when the pandemic
heating, ventilation and hit, technicians went into overdrive,
air conditioning industry turning regular patient rooms into
has been center stage COVID-19 isolation rooms.
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia-area testing, adjusting
Testing, Adjusting and Balancing and balancing (TAB) technicians at
Bureau (TABB)-certified HVAC Fisher Balancing sometimes worked
contractors in particular have been on 12- to 24-hour shifts converting entire
the front lines, testing and balancing hospital wings into isolation rooms air changes in the room to ensure
airflow for healthcare facilities so they at local hospitals. Within a few weeks health and safety.
can treat COVID patients, while also of the initial outbreak of COVID-19, According to CDC guidelines,
providing for the general health needs Fisher’s crew had helped convert a single-patient airborne infection
of their communities. more than 250 regular rooms to nega- isolation room must have negative
Hospitals require constant tive airflow rooms at the University pressure relative to other parts of the
testing and adjusting of airflow to of Pennsylvania’s Hospital and the facility. The negative pressure causes
keep patients safe, and their needs Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. air to flow from the corridors to the
have grown exponentially during Not all balancing firms could isolation room, but air cannot escape
the pandemic. provide the services that Fisher does. to other parts of the facility when the
Fisher Balancing, a New Jersey- All members can earn certifications door is closed and the ventilation
based HVAC company and union through training provided through system is operating properly. Air from
signatory contractor helmed by a joint partnership between the the isolation room can be exhausted
President Matt Sano, has seen its International Association of Sheet directly to the outdoors or passed
business grow substantially. The Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation through a special high efficiency air
company has worked with the Workers (SMART) and the Sheet Metal (HEPA) filter that removes most of the
healthcare industry for many years and Air Conditioning Contractors’ droplet nuclei before it is returned to
National Association (SMACNA). general circulation.
Union-provided training guar- Beyond healthcare facilities, Fisher
antees Fisher employees have the Balancing has seen an uptick in
skills and certifications necessary to work for casinos, malls, restaurants
provide the same TAB expertise the and other retail clients. Sano said
company has provided for 20 years. he expects engineering to change
“The training our employees going forward, as building owners
receive as SMART apprentices and will want to be prepared for these
journeymen is unparalleled,” Sano types of catastrophic events as
said. “The TABB certifications our well as respond to state mandates
employees hold also ensure that they regarding airflow rule changes in
have the knowledge and experience some facilities.
needed to do this kind of work.” Hidden behind walls or tucked
Hospitals require To convert individual rooms to high up in ceilings, HVAC systems
constant testing and
adjusting of airflow to isolation rooms, TAB professionals are often ignored by the public, but
keep patients safe — modify the airflow, switch standard during these unprecedented times,
with this need now more rooms to negative pressure rooms ventilation has become critical to
vital than ever.
and verify the number of times the health and safety. ■
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68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 7 5/10/21 7:46 PM
SMART sisters take center
stage during Women
in Construction week
S
MART held a series of events
recognizing Women In Con- SMART Local 17 sheet metal worker Sha-
struction Week from Sunday maiah Turner showed attendees how to
March 8 through Saturday make a new drink called “the Riveter’s Revel”
the 13th. During this week, in preparation for the SMART Women’s Team
the Union held socially distant events Building Happy Hour on March 13
from an opening video featuring
General President Joseph Sellers and
SMACNA President Angie Simon Committee Trivia Night where in the transportation industry and
where both were joined by members members from across all SMART working as a pioneering woman in
of the SMART Women’s Committee industries participated in a competi- the passenger rail sector. She talked
and outlined the importance of diver- tion where they could win prizes. about some of the challenges TD
sity within the sheet metal trade. Participants were challenged in a sisters have faced in passenger rail
Due to the requirements around series of different categories, all taking and what pioneers such as herself
social distancing, events were held place via Zoom, that delved into have done to pave the way for
online through Zoom sessions and Women in History, Women Leaders, future sisters.
pre-recorded videos. On Monday the Women in Labor and Women in On Saturday, the SMART
9th a series of videos were released Hollywood along with bonus ques- Women’s Committee hosted a
outlining meal preparation strate- tions focused on SMART history. Team Building Happy Hour where
gies and recipes for members faced This event was not limited only to attendees were asked to share
with busy days balancing home and sisters in the sheet metal industry. stories about their mentors and
work life. Tuesday featured an online Longtime Amtrak conductor Carol early experiences in the trade. Also
fitness class hosted by yoga instructor Jones — who is also a local chair- at this event, #SMARTWomenRocks
Nadia Zerka that was free to all person with SMART-TD Local 1361 was revealed which is an ongoing
SMART members. Thursday featured out of New Haven, Conn. — shared event where sisters are asked to
a well-attended SMART Women’s her story on video of coming up send painted rocks to each other in
order to build connections across
the vast geographic distances sepa-
Tools & Tiaras rating attendees.
T ools & Tiaras was the sponsored organization during this year’s recognition This was only the first of what will
of Women in Construction Week. The organization is one committed to advanc- be many more similar events in the
ing the interest of young girls and women who want to pursue careers in the years ahead. In the next issue of the
construction trades. Journal, look for some of the artwork
According to Mechelle McNew, SMART Women's Committee Chair and Local 464 submitted for the SMART Women’s
BM (Ponca City, OK), “it’s important for young women to see themselves represented, Committee art and photo competi-
and to see women respected and celebrated in the trade. This gives them a goal to tions as well as hear about a new
work toward and aspire to, while equipping them to serve as future leaders.” and important campaign that allows
Tools and Tiaras places tools in young womens’ hands and teaches them that all members the chance to play their
“jobs don’t have genders” by introducing them to the skilled women who forged part in having our sisters’ backs on
a path for them in the trades. the jobsite, worksite and on the rails
across North America. ■
8 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 8 5/10/21 7:46 PMCANADIAN AFFAIRS REPORT
DIRECTOR
CHRIS PAWISTY
Looking forward in 2021
B
rothers and sisters,
The past year has been a challenging one for
both SMART and for Canada. As a nation, we have
had to deal with school closures, lockdowns, unemploy-
ment, family separation, COVID-19 illnesses and the
loss of loved ones. It has been a difficult time for all our
members and their families. But it is during the hard
times that we realize what is most important. The little
things in life recede and the well-being of our fellow
citizens takes centre stage. The efforts of our members
to stay on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic have
meant that we have continued to help build the infra-
structure necessary for the delivery of critical goods and
services, particularly health care services.
Amidst this struggle to keep the economy moving,
many of our members have been essential frontline
workers. For that reason, the efforts we make to stay
safe are paramount. Following simple guidelines, like by the example set by my predecessor. On September
wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing, 18, 2020, we sadly lost Director of Canadian Affairs
are basic tools for doing that. The vaccines will help, James Jackson, who was a brother in more than just
but they are only part of the solution. If we want to get union terms. Brother Jackson was tireless in his commit-
back to some semblance of normalcy, we will need to ment to protecting the interests of our members on the
stay vigilant and disciplined well into the future when it shop floor, the picket line, the job site and in the board-
comes to safety protocols on job sites and in our shops. room. He raised his voice so all of us could be heard. I
No doubt, for all the challenges we have faced in am honoured to continue his fine work, and I want to
the last 12 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has also thank General President Joseph Sellers and the SMART
presented us with opportunities to renew our commit- General Executive Council for appointing me as Brother
ment to building our union. Now is not the time to take Jackson’s successor and giving me the opportunity to
our foot off the gas. We have had to adjust to conducting do that. I offer my pledge that the Canadian Office will
union business, local union elections and monthly meet- continue to make our voices heard at all levels of govern-
ings on virtual platforms, and we should recognize that ment and throughout this great land.
electronic and computerized means of communication So, as we look forward in 2021, may we see better days
present us with continuing opportunities for growth. We around the corner. May we soon meet again and safely
can employ these tools to organize from a distance, as interact as one.
well as spread the word in creative ways about union- In solidarity, I remain, fraternally yours,
ization and the benefits that come with it. Exploring the
many ways technology can advance the interests of our
members is an urgent task.
I am personally committed to taking this union
forward in these trying times, and I invite all our Chris Pawisty
members to join me in this mission. In this, I am inspired Director of Canadian Affairs
SPR ING 2 021 9
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 9 5/10/21 7:46 PMSMART locals mobilize
to assist Texas
what they could do to assist and then helped spearhead
the relief effort for his local.
Local 265, which represents members serving the blue-
collar counties outside of Lake and Cook counties in
northeastern Illinois, launched a social media campaign
to raise awareness of the specific need for water among
its members, as well as the community at large, and
began to solicit donations. In less than 48 hours, the
union mobilized to secure 16 pallets of water and two
26-foot trucks. Local 73 soon joined the effort, filling a
Local 565 BM Jesse Buell: “ThermaStor has always been a great company to third truck with donated water bottles. The three trucks
work with and it’s no surprise to me that they continue their benevolence. Local
rolled out from the Chicago suburbs for Texas early the
565 is overwhelmed and appreciative that ThermaStor insist they help in the
recent disaster down South. It was also the membership's pleasure to produce morning of Feb. 24, carrying more than 30,000 bottles.
these 12 units knowing where they were going and the impact they were making. In Indiana, SMART Local 20 members purchased
Thank you ThermaStor for partnering up with Local 565 and donating to our
Sheet Metal Workers International Scholarship Foundation disaster relief fund.
and donated more than $2,000 in residential plumbing
supplies and fittings and shipped it all to SMART locals
S
MART Sheet Metal Locals 73, 219 and 265 in Texas. The supplies were given to members facing
organized a “Texas water drive” to gather significant plumbing repairs after pipes froze and
donations of bottled water and ship truckloads leaked during power outages.
to families in Texas who lacked access to clean “I could not be prouder of our members, our friends,
water in the wake of the state’s winter storms our families and local employers that have contributed
and power outages. to this effort,” said SMART Local 265 President/Business
ThermaStor, a signatory of SMART SM Local 565 in Manager John Daniel.
Wisconsin (production) also donated twelve fan units Daniel said donations came from hard-working
to assist members affected by water line breaks, while members of the three SMART locals, as well as area
SM Local 20 in Indiana donated plumbing materials employers, including John Hancock (which does record-
and construction supplies to members who experienced keeping for the union’s pension plan), The Dobbs Group
burst pipes and other property damage. SMART Local of Greystone Consulting, Calibre CPA Group, Segal
214 in Louisiana also rushed donated water and other Consulting and Baum Sigman Auerbach & Neuman LTD.
supplies to affected members in Texas — all part of a SMART has more 7,500 members in Texas. The week
massive multi-pronged mobilization effort to assist of the deep freeze, the union contacted locals across
fellow SMART members. the country and quickly organized a national peer-
As Texas’ power grid collapsed during frigid temper- to-peer text bank in which individual union activists
atures in February, causing some households to also from outside Texas reached out to members in Texas
lose access to clean water due to interrupted supplies or and asked how they were doing, did they need any
burst pipes, SMART Army organizers and coordinators help, and if so what would be most helpful. The text
across North America began asking what they could do banking was critical to assessing what was happening
to help. They communicated with other members of the on the ground. ■
union in Texas and were told people needed clean water
more than anything else.
“I hope it helps them with a small amount of relief to
have the very basic necessity of water,” said Tom Syron,
a Local 265 journeyperson who lives in Plainfield, Ill.
Syron reached out to his local union president to see
10 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 10 5/10/21 7:46 PMMember Spotlight
SMART member named
Tradeswoman of the Month
T
he Tradeswomen Heroes Medina has had an interest in the
Award is given by North trade since high school. She took
America’s Building Trades every technology class offered,
Unions (NABTU) and including CAD, small engines, tool
recognizes four outstand- & die, woodworking and welding.
ing tradeswomen per month – two She took a different route after high
apprentices and two journeyper- school and followed in her family’s
sons – nominated by local, state, footsteps in the food industry, but
and international leadership. The after some time realized that there
award is a joint effort of NABTU’s were no benefits provided compa-
Tradeswomen’s Committee and rable to what she could receive as a “Louise is a champion for all our
its Apprenticeship and Training union member. members, current and future alike,”
Committee that highlights outstand- Sister Medina applied for the sheet said Local 265 Business Manager
ing female workers within the 13 metal apprenticeship program in John Daniel. “Her life experiences,
NABTU-affiliated unions. early 2000 because of the benefits it both professionally and personally,
For March 2021, Louise Medina, a had to offer. provides me with perspective that I
journeyperson and business repre- Looking back on her early could not have if she were not in the
sentative from Local 265 in Carol years, Medina notes some of board rooms.”
Stream, Ill., was recognized for her the challenges: “Every day has SMART General President
work within the labor movement different situations. Most jobs were Joseph Sellers, who got to know
on behalf of her fellow members. commercial and industrial sheet Medina through her work on the
Also a member of the SMART metal work, which consisted of SMART Women’s Committee,
Women’s Committee, she has installing equipment, measuring added that “Louise is a remarkable
displayed leadership at her local and installing ductwork, installing leader known for her intelligence,
and throughout North America specialty metals, welding, and from integrity, and commitment to repre-
with her advocacy on behalf of her time to time fabricating ductwork senting members in the manner
fellow sisters. in the shop.” they deserve.” ■
SAFETY CONCERN?
Don't ignore it. Report it.
For states and properties that don't already have a reporting
system in place, SMART-TD has launched a Safety Condition
Report for members to share their concerns.
These reports are confidential and you can request a direct response from an officer.
SPR ING 2 021 11
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 11 5/10/21 8:13 PMSMART mobilizes to fight
dangers of long trains
I
n their quest for more prof- Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jon Tester reaching a hospital. UP faces a
its, Class I railroads in the (D-Mont.), Amy Klobuchar wrongful death lawsuit as a result.
United States over the past (D-Minn.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) When asked about the prob-
four years have embraced — members of the U.S. Senate lems that long trains cause during
Precision Scheduled Rail- Committee on Commerce, Science a recent Legislature hearing in
roading (PSR) by placing increased and Transportation — introduced Nebraska, a BNSF railroad repre-
shareholder returns and lower legislation March 22 allowing for the sentative mentioned that the issue
Operating Ratios (the chief mea- continued collection of reports by of a crossings being blocked should
surement used by big Wall Street FRA on blocked crossings. be handled at the local level with a
investors) above customer service, But data collection isn’t enough. cooperative effort between mayors
the needs of the public and the These longer trains tax our infra- or others in local government.
safety of their workers. structure. They do not fit in track As if a town of a couple of
One of the main symptoms of PSR sidings. They increase safety risks thousand people in Nebraska
is an increase in train length. for our members and the public. has the resources to fund a grade
Carriers have continued to make A well-publicized incident in separation or to engage in a legal
freight trains longer to the point Michigan on CNN showed a train struggle with a railroad that rakes
where they now present hazards to derailed above a highway overpass in billions each quarter.
the public by blocking crossings and in downtown Detroit in December So how can we combat this?
to workers by making them harder 2019. The carrier, Conrail, was habit- For one, a number of state legis-
to operate. A train is a complex ually consolidating three transfer lative directors are submitting or
system subject to the laws of physics jobs into a monster-sized train so it working on bills to get train lengths
and to the potential for mechanical didn’t have to pay as many workers limited. There are five states in
failure — the more cars added to a to do multiple runs. the nation’s midsection that have
train, the more chance there is for News articles around the country introduced legislation this year with
something to break down, the longer also continue show a lack of urgency another five in the process of formu-
distance it takes to stop and the and concern on the part of the rail- lating their own bills.
harder it is to handle. roads as crossings can be blocked for Illinois State Legislative Director
Members of the U.S. Congress hours at a time or even longer. Bob Guy has rolled out H.B. 2524, a
have been made aware of the chal- In East Toledo, Ohio, WTVG train length bill in his state that would
lenge trains of two or three miles TV showed video of children on limit trains length to 8,500 feet. That
or even longer can cause. The March 18 climbing onto and under bill was referred in early March to
Government Accountability Office a stopped train that blocked their the General Assembly’s Regulation,
issued a report in May 2019 titled route home from school. Roads & Bridges Committee.
“Freight Trains Are Getting Longer In Ardmore, Okla., KTEN TV Hearings have been held in
And Additional Information Is reported on March 15 that a rail Nebraska and Iowa on their legisla-
Needed To Assess Their Impact.” crossing that had been blocked by a tion. Kansas has a bill pending. State
The Federal Railroad Admin- BNSF train for four days. Legislative Director Gerald Sale of
istration, in response, launched a And at least one death — that of Arkansas saw his bill introduced in
way to collect data on blocked cross- 65-year-old Bunkie, La., man Leo committee but did not receive suffi-
ings online in December 2019. PSR Blalock in June 2019 — was attrib- cient votes to pass into the full House.
hasn’t stopped since then and neither uted to a long train operated by That length was not an arbi-
has the use of long trains. Union Pacific that blocked every trary choice. It’s a bit longer than a
A bipartisan group of five U.S. crossing in the town and prevented mile-and-a-half, close to what the
senators — Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), the ambulance Blalock was in from average length a train was before
12 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 12 5/10/21 7:46 PMU.S. railroads’ PSR obsession began infrastructure a focus of Congress Politicians listen to the people who
in 2017. Now it is not unheard of for and the Biden Administration, elected them and live in the places
members to operate trains of 16,000 these provisions could again they are supposed to represent.
feet — more than three miles long. be introduced. The fight against long trains and
Nationally, last year’s H.R. TD leaders in the National PSR is not going to be an easy one
2 — the Moving Forward Act — Legislative Department, Greg to win, and pro-business forces have
had provisions to limit how long Hynes and Jared Cassity, have been money to dangle in front of them.
trains could block rail crossings, working to get the new Congress However, our votes mean more and
a dangerous and life-threatening up to speed on our issues, but it’s there are more of us than there are
result of these longer trains. With much more effective if we all speak. of them. The fight will continue. ■
Sheet Metal industry women
recognized for their leadership
C
onstruction Dive recently released its 2021 Construc- Service and TAB Specialist for the International Training
tion Champions Award for Tradeswomen leaders Institute; Leah Rambo, Director of Training from the SM
and its list was dotted with women from across the Local 28 Training Center in New York City, and the SM
sheet metal industry. Among those recognized were Local 66 SMART Women’s Committee in Seattle.
Angie Simon, President and CEO of Western Allied Recognized leaders were selected for their work
Mechanical as well as current SMACNA President; shaping the commercial construction industry and
Shamaiah Turner, sheet metal journeyperson from SM promoting the industry’s career benefits for all. These
Local 17 in Boston; Lisa Davis, a journey-level worker sisters were chosen from a group of over 800 nominees
from SM Local 16 in Portland who serves as an HVACR from across the building trades. ■
SPR ING 2 021 13
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 13 5/10/21 7:46 PMRailroad, Mechanical
and Engineering
Department report
T
he Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering Depart- spent fourteen days in isolation while fighting COVID.
ment is excited to relaunch the Department’s Local Chairperson Persaud commented, “While stuck
Report in the Member’s Journal. This page is in isolation, it was comforting knowing my family were
devoted to news for members belonging to the covered by my union benefits bargained for under our
local unions and General Committees under CBA.” He thanks his SMART brothers and sisters who
this Department. Be sure to check future issues for the reached out to him while he was in the hospital. His
latest updates coming from the Department. This report union family helped him keep his spirits up while he was
features two local chairpersons from the Department. fighting COVID. Fortunately, he is now recovered.
Local Chairperson Persaud is 49 years old. He has
Local Chairperson Ricardo been married to his best friend for the past nineteen
“Joe” Persaud — Local 396 years, and he has two beautiful daughters, Ava, who is
Brother Ricardo “Joe” Persaud is the seventeen years old, and Jenna, who is sixteen years old.
Local Chairperson of Local 396. He He grew up in Rahway, New Jersey, and now resides in
has worked for New Jersey Transit Woodbridge, New Jersey. Both of his parents are from
for the past twenty-one years, and the Amazon in South America. When he is not working,
he has held the position of Local he likes to grow vegetables, including hot peppers,
Chairperson for nineteen years while and work on his herb garden. He also likes to barbecue
working at the Meadows Maintenance Facility (MMC) in and smoke ribs. He loves to watch his daughters dance
Kearney, New Jersey. competitively, and he especially looks forward to when
Local Chairperson Persaud is very proud of his job. It his family takes their yearly road trip.
started when he attended his first Railroad Convention
in Denver in 2007. When he was there, he was able to Local Chairperson
meet other members, who inspired him to be a better Matthew Haile — Local 78
leader. New Jersey Transit was his first union-paid job, Brother Matthew Haile is the Local
and he explains, “Being union, we put out quality work Chairperson for Local 78. He is
for good pay along with excellent benefits through from Heber Springs, Arkansas, and
the Collective Bargaining Agreement.” He brings his now lives in Greenbrier, Arkansas.
knowledge from the Mechanical field, along with his He has been a SMART member
experience on how to run a business, dealing with for 13 years and has served as the
customers, and good leadership, to his position. Local Chairperson for nine years. He has also held
Local Chairperson Persaud battled COVID late last the position of Financial Secretary-Treasurer and Vice
year. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, he went to the Local Chairperson.
emergency room after feeling a sharp pain in his left lower He works for Union Pacific Railroad as a sheet metal
back and was diagnosed with a kidney stone. Through worker welder with sixteen years of service. He is proud
the Thanksgiving holiday, he was not feeling well and of his craftsmanship and brings his ability to handle
was extremely tired. After experiencing some concerning complex modifications to the job. Before working for
symptoms, he went back to the hospital, where he was Union Pacific, he worked in the aerospace industry as a
going to undergo a procedure. Prior to the procedure, he structural mechanic for Rohr and Dassault Falcon Jet.
received a COVID test, and he tested positive. He spent Local Chairperson Haile is 43 years old. He has been
two days in the hospital and returned home for one day. married for twenty years to his wife, Bertiz, who works
However, he soon had to return to the hospital, and he as the Secretary for Iron Workers Local 321. He has a
14 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 14 5/10/21 7:46 PMsixteen-year-old daughter, Libby, who attends Guy assistance benefit from the Federal Emergency
Perkins High School and loves playing softball. When he Management Agency.
is not working, he loves to watch his daughter play soft- If you have incurred funeral-related expenses due
ball. He also enjoys riding ATVs and off road/trail ride to COVID-19, we urge you to follow the link below.
in his Jeep. When asked what we might be surprised to There you will find the toll-free number to call,
know about him, he responded, “My wife says that deep along with eligibility requirements, FAQ, and other
down I’m a big ol' teddy bear!” useful information.
Local Chairperson Haile is proud to be a SMART The link below has been updated from a
member because being a union member has helped him previous email. ■
provide a good life for his family.
Funeral Assistance COVID-19 FUNERAL ASSISTANCE | FEMA.GOV
SMART Mechanical members and family members HTTPS://WWW.FEMA.GOV/DISASTERS/
CORONAVIRUS/ECONOMIC/FUNERAL-ASSISTANCE
who incurred funeral expenses as a result of a
COVID-19 death may be eligible for a funeral
Second union member to serve
as U.S. labor secretary was
from SMART-TD predecessor
W
ith the confirmation of normal practice for a leader from In 1916, Doak was elected BRT
former Boston Mayor Marty organized labor to be tapped vice president and became the
Walsh to be President Joe to lead the agency overseeing organization’s national legisla-
Biden’s labor secretary approved labor relations. The first two U.S. tive representative in Washington,
by the U.S. Senate, a nearly 45-year secretaries of labor were union D.C. He continued to work on
absence of a union member serving members. In 1930, one of SMART- railroad labor relations matters,
as the head of the U.S. Department TD’s predecessor unions saw one of including serving on adjustment
of Labor (DOL) has ended. its leaders ascend to lead the DOL boards, arguing before congres-
The last unionist to serve as U.S. during one of the darkest economic sional committees and adjusting
labor secretary was W.J. Usery times our nation has known. As the how rail negotiations were handled
Jr., a member of the International third secretary of labor, William N. on a regional level. The National
Association of Machinists and Doak from the the Brotherhood of Mediation Board (NMB) was estab-
Aerospace Workers, who was Railroad Trainmen (BRT) helped lished in the 1920s, at a time when
appointed by President Gerald Ford. establish a lasting legacy. Doak had an active presence on
He led Ford’s DOL for about a year Doak was born Dec. 12, 1882, Capitol Hill for the BRT, and he no
starting in 1976. in Wythe County, Va., and began doubt had a hand in how it operated.
A nearly five-decade gap between a railroad career as a switchman In 1922, he was elected BRT first
union members serving as the top with Norfolk and Western near the vice president and in 1927 he was
labor official in a president’s cabinet turn of the century. According to a elected as assistant to BRT President
would have been unusual earlier in biography published on the Library William Granville Lee. Doak served
U.S. history. of Virginia’s website, he joined BRT as acting BRT president for a time
When the DOL was established in 1904 and was elected a general while Lee traveled abroad. He also
in the early 20th century, it was chairperson in 1908. ran unsuccessfully for political
SPR ING 2 021 15
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 15 5/10/21 7:46 PMoffice on three occasions, including However, after the Great in an article marking the 75th anni-
for Virginia State Senate, the U.S. Depression struck, Hoover changed versary of the Department of Labor
House of Representatives and the course and nominated Doak to lead that was published in the February
U.S. Senate. the DOL in 1930. In collaboration 1988 issue of the Monthly Labor
In 1928, Doak was elected with his immediate predecessor, Review. “But economic conditions
to a combined post of national James J. Davis, who became a U.S. worsened during his relatively brief
legislative representative and senator representing Pennsylvania tenure, and he was overwhelmed by
editor of the Brotherhood of after leaving as labor secretary, the worldwide economic disaster.”
Railroad Trainmen’s publica- Doak’s crowning achievement was After serving as DOL head for the
tion, The Railroad Trainman. A helping the Davis-Bacon Act become majority of Hoover’s Depression-
personal friend of Herbert Hoover, federal law in 1931. The legislation ravaged term, Doak left the post in
Doak also worked on Hoover’s established prevailing wage laws March 1933, after Franklin Delano
successful presidential campaign that benefit our sheet metal brothers Roosevelt took office, and returned
and served as a labor committee and sisters and other union laborers to his BRT leadership position as
advisor for the Republican to this day. national legislative representative.
National Committee. Upon taking “Doak was sensitive to unemploy- Just months later, on Oct. 23 of
office in 1929, President Hoover ment matters and supported studies that same year, Doak passed away at
eyed Doak as a possible labor of public works programs and age 50 from cardiovascular disease.
secretary nominee, but opposition unemployment insurance to offset The work he did as a labor leader
from the American Federation of the effects of the Great Depression,” continues to reverberate through our
Labor scuttled that nomination. historian Jonathan Grossman wrote organization to this day. ■
Local 85 members honor retired business
manager, 1st general vice president
R
onald Whatley retired recently
as Business Manager of SMART
SM Local 85 in Atlanta, GA and
1 General Vice President. Local
st
85 sheet metal workers, looking to
honor him for his contribution to
the local an industry over his long
career teamed up with Georgia-
SMACNA and purchased brother
Whatley a Polaris Ranger side by
side along with a union-built
stainless steel tool box crafted by
members at RF Knox.
Whatley, worked in the union
sheet metal industry for 48 years
with 26 of those years serving Local
85 as a Business Representative current Local 85 Business Manager the members interest above all else.
(October 1994 – January 2005) and Steve Langley, “Whatley helped He will be sorely missed by all of us
Business Manager (February 2005 guide his local through a dramatic here in Georgia and his brothers and
– November 2020). According to period of growth and always put sisters across North America.” ■
16 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 16 5/10/21 7:46 PMSMART, SMACNA
partner together on
diversity initiative
I
n recognition that working have agreed to develop, with the help make individuals unique. SMACNA and
together on diversity, equity, of experts, a coordinated strategic plan SMART are strongly committed to take
and inclusion within our with long-term and short-term objectives the necessary steps to achieve our goal of
industry would be the most which will be evaluated and adjusted a diverse industry with no tolerance of
effective way to effect real as necessary. Our unified goal is to bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
and lasting change, SMART and shift the mindset of management, labor We will provide regular updates on our
SMACNA have engaged in ongo- leaders, and our respective memberships progress on the strategic plan and on our
ing discussions about recruiting and to recruit, welcome, and retain the most continued work to promote our shared
retaining a diverse and inclusive competent and skilled workforce avail- values of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
workforce with the skills to meet our able while embracing differences in age, SMACNA and SMART are now in
needs now and in the future. ability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, the process of developing a strategic plan
In an initial step affirming our national origin, language, marital status, to help us reach our goals and build the
joint objectives, the SMACNA Board political affiliation, race, religion, sexual foundation of an industry dedicated to
of Directors and the SMART General orientation, and other characteristics that equity and inclusion. ■
Executive Council adopted the
following statement at their respec-
tive January 2021 meetings:
SMACNA and SMART recognize
that diversity strengthens our workforce,
benefits our communities, and makes the
unionized sheet metal industry stronger
and more competitive by reflecting the
communities where we operate and the
people we serve. To affirm our commit-
ment to diversity and inclusion, we The logo of the new SMART Recruitment and Retention Council. More information coming in the next Journal.
THE SHEET METAL FUNDS
HAVE MOVED
THE OFFICE ADDRESS IS:
3180 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE, SUITE 400, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22042
SPR ING 2 021 17
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 17 5/10/21 7:46 PMOnline safety report form
launched for TD members
T
o address the growing safety concerns of trans- primary mission, stating ‘They shall report to their Locals
portation members, the union has implemented regarding the handling of all alleged unsafe or unsanitary
a universal Safety Condition Report. working conditions found to exist, or reported to them,
This form is a supplemental tool to report and within their jurisdiction. They shall undertake to correct
collect data concerning unsafe working condi- such conditions through appropriate measures consistent
tions, including COVID-19 issues, from all TD members. with the local and national policies of the Transportation
If a state legislative board or general committee already Division.’ Therefore, we ask that you also forward this
has a procedure in place, members represented by that information as soon as possible to your local legislative
board or committee should continue to use that system. representative or other SMART union officer for proper
With each submission, organizational information such handling. If you are unsure who they are or how to
as craft, local, carrier, state legislative director and general contact them, please contact our office.”
committee are loaded based on a member’s selection “It is imperative that we all accept the personal respon-
using defined database values, ensuring an accurate sibility to properly document known unsafe conditions,
submission so that the officers responsible for acting on acts and security concerns,” added Ferguson. “If more
the report are informed directly and in a timely fashion. people would take the time to do this we could, over
Members are presented a default list of safety hazards time, address most of the long-standing concerns we
to choose, along with identifying the state and location have. Without documentation, nothing will ever change
of the unsafe condition. Additionally, the form updates — the issues and concerns will continue to remain and
based on the members. After submission, an automated often grow until a very unfortunate situation such as
email to the relevant state legislative director with an injury, accident or fatality brings to light what many
jurisdiction and applicable general chairperson is sent as knew was a problem long ago but failed to address.”
an initial notification. The state legislative director will SMART TD Chief of Staff Jerry Gibson hopes that the
take point in addressing the concern. These officers will use of this form will bring hazards that have been taken
access the full report details via the TD Connect portal, for granted or tolerated by workers to light.
along with printing and exporting capabilities for further “Sadly, we hear one particular scenario too often,”
collaboration with local officers so that the unsafe condi- said Gibson. “Someone says, ‘That has been an issue for
tions can be addressed. a long time’ or ‘Everyone knows that is a problem’ at a
Rail members, please note: The Railroad Technology particular property. Yet everyone assumes that someone
Event report remains as a separate reporting mecha- else has written the unsafe condition up and unfortu-
nism due to the amount of detail and complexities that nately, no one has. The issue remains and the carriers use
topic requires. that against us by stating the very same thing — ‘That
It is important to note that the data collected by this has been like that forever, and no one has said anything
report and the information within are kept and used or taken issue with it.’”
solely within our SMART union computer system and “This online reporting process is here to change that,”
are used by officers to assist in addressing the issues added Gibson. “Your union’s leadership wants to raise
presented by members. our safety standards. The carriers will no longer be
“Membership safety and well-being is a founding allowed to dictate our level of personal safety… enough
principal of this union, but we cannot assist without is enough. Only when we, as a collective group, choose to
being properly informed of the unsafe issues facing properly address our issues and concerns can we expect
our fellow brothers and sisters.” SMART-TD President others to comply with those demands.
Jeremy R. Ferguson stated. “These reports are to enhance The Safety Condition Report is accessible directly from
our safety efforts as many carriers lack proper and effec- the SMART-TD tab as both a banner and as a menu item
tive reporting mechanisms. Our SMART Constitution — look for the blinking yellow box to the right of the
lists safety as our local legislative representatives’ website representing caution. ■
18 T HE MEMBERS ’ JOUR N A L SM A R T-UNION.ORG
68745_SMART_Journal_Spring_21.indd 18 5/10/21 7:46 PMYou can also read
