Important Members Only Video Message for All SMART Members
VP JOE BIDEN DIRECTLY ADDRESSES SMART MEMBERS
Click On Image Above to View On YouTube
SMART leadership has always been highly engaged in the political process. Our focus has been to advocate on behalf of issues and candidates that actively support members and working family issues.
FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FELLOW SMART MEMBERS
Since the 2016 election cycle, General President Joe Sellers has focused the Union’s efforts to listen to and address feedback from members on local, state and federal issues that affect them at work. This means being transparent and clear with members when asked to support the candidates who most closely align with our issues.
During the past four years, SMART leadership has met with nearly all the presidential candidates and had meaningful dialog regarding our issues. Many of them, we have found, support the issues of importance to the membership of this Union.
One of these candidates is Vice President Joe Biden. SMART met with Vice President Biden’s team several times, all of them being very productive conversations. Vice President Biden, with a long history of interaction with members in both the sheet metal and transportation industries, is acutely aware and engaged in our issues. His team took what they learned from our conversations and created this video to allow the VP to speak directly to you about the issues you have raised concerns about and his position on them.
Leadership statement on George Floyd, protests
Leadership statement on George Floyd, protests
Protests in both the United States and Canada have been used to focus upon racial justice in our communities. SMART stands united with those who are committed to peacefully work towards a racially just society that provides the freedom of opportunity to all.
THE INVEST IN AMERICA ACT
All Members — SMART Transportation Division
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Today, House Democrats released the text of a $500 billion five-year funding authorization bill that defines their vision for the future of transportation in America, as well as outlines their plans to refresh and renew the infrastructure of the nation’s surface transportation network.
The Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act is the result of countless hours of work by this Union on the Hill and in the halls of Congress. The INVEST in America Act reauthorizes funding set to expire Sept. 30, but more so, sets standards for safety, training, and transportation reform that have long been sought by the members of SMART Transportation Division including:
- Two-Person Crews;
- Operator Assault;
- Yardmaster Hours of Service
- a “Cross Border” fix.
Additionally, Amtrak would see its funding triple to $29 billion over the five-year period of the bill, allowing for expansion of national, state and regional routes and facility modernization. Funding for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program also would be increased to $7 billion to fund passenger and freight rail projects. Provisions for/or against the transportation of liquid natural gas (LNG) via rail tank cars, blocked railroad crossings, and excessive freight train length, among others, also have been included.
Our National Legislative Office has been hard at work in Washington, D.C., to convey our issues to both sides of the aisle in the U.S. House and Senate, and the provisions within this bill are the fruits of that labor.
Undoubtedly, House Democrats have heard our cries and have answered the call. By including our issues within the context of this bill, they have let America know that the only safe operation of a Class I freight train is with a two-person crew; that our bus drivers and operators have the right to a safe work environment; and that the public should be shielded from the risks that rail carriers will take in the name of greed.
But make no mistake, this bill still has a long road to travel and a lot of heavy-handed opposition standing before it in the Republican-controlled Senate. We will need all hands on deck to protect the provisions we have all fought so hard for to survive that journey.
I am asking you to please watch this bill as it moves through the legislative process and see who and what hurdles it faces. I’m asking you to please pay attention to the party affiliations of the individuals as the yeas and nays are registered when the bill is voted upon. And I am asking you to listen to the rhetoric and testimony that will affect its final appearance. Once the dust has settled, I will call on you to please support those who support you and your family’s well-being, and I firmly believe that picture will be crystal clear.
There are only two parties at the table. The Democrats wrote it into the bill, only the Republicans will take it out.
Fraternally yours,
Jeremy R. Ferguson
President – Transportation Division
ABOUT THE INVEST IN AMERICA ACT
Absentee Ballot Deadline is approaching
 |
| Dear Local 60 Member, I hope that you and your family are safe and doing well during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are challenging times for members, yet safety must remain first and foremost. I also want to take this time to thank our New Jersey rail, transit and bus members for your service continuing to move essential passengers and freight. We are the people that keep New Jersey and America moving.
Elections are important to us also. Due to COVID-19, voting by mail in the July 7th primary is the safest (and best) way to vote; and there is still time to request an absentee ballot. Applications must be printed and mailed to your county election official. Check the ‘ALL FUTURE ELECTIONS’ box, and automatically have a ballot sent to your home for every future election. Voting is a personal decision, so no matter which candidate you support or which party you choose; choose to vote in New Jersey’s July 7th primary. And finally, let’s be safe out there, whether at home, running essential errands or on the job! In Solidarity, Ron Sabol New Jersey State Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division |
HEROES Relief Bill
|
|
On, Friday May 15th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) by a vote of 208-199. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where unfortunately Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says that Congress needs to take a ‘pause’ on additional legislation to address the impacts of COVID-19.
“Transportation workers and their families can’t afford a pause. We can’t let perfect be the enemy of the good, and the HEROES Act is a good bill that provides immediate and additional relief to transportation workers and the industry that has been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic” National Legislative Director Greg Hynes said. “This needed legislation includes a number of hard-fought provisions that will provide financial stability to thousands and thousands of members directly and indirectly impacted by COVID-19. There must be a vote in the U.S. Senate.” HEROES Relief Bill Includes:
Here is where I need your help. This needed legislation is on ‘pause’ by Senator Mitch McConnell. And while the Senate leader has immense power as to which bills make it to the Senate calendar — if enough Senators demand a vote, a vote will occur. But this only happen if Senators hear from their constituents. |
| Fraternally, |
 |
| Greg Hynes National Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division |
WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY 2020
Brothers and Sisters,
50 years ago Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality. However, each year thousands of workers are killed and millions more suffer injury or illness because of their jobs.
Corporate interests have taken over safety agencies under Trump. The administration has weakened or repealed key protections that keep us safe at work and slashed safety budgets and staff. There has even been no action on critical safety and health protections against COVID-19.
The labor movement and allies are fighting back against these attacks. We will hold the Trump administration accountable and push forward to win stronger worker protections.
On April 28, the Hudson County Central Labor Council and the unions of the AFL-CIO will observe Workers Memorial Day to mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living. We will stand united against the ongoing attacks on worker’s rights and safety, and demand that elected officials put people over profits. We will not stop the fight until every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace.
In Solidarity,
President Kushnir
PS Please observe a moment of silence at NOON on April 28, 2020 to honor workers lost in the fight against COVID-19
Guaranteed approval for SMART-TD VDP coverage
New Guaranteed Approval Offering
for SMART-TD Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP)
All previously declined members and future enrolled members of the SMART-TD Long-Term Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) now have access to up to $1,000 of guaranteed approved coverage.
North Olmsted, Ohio (April 16, 2020) — In May 2019, the SMART Transportation Division rolled out a new Voluntary Disability Plan (VDP) to all dues-paying members living in the United States and working at least 20 hours per week. This plan, underwritten by Amalgamated Life Insurance Company, was subject to simplified medical underwriting, which led to some members not receiving medical qualification for this important coverage.
SMART leadership has been in negotiations with Amalgamated to resolve this issue, and the company has agreed to provide $1,000 of guaranteed approved coverage to all future enrollees, including those who previously had been medically denied coverage.
This enhancement to the SMART TD Long-Term Disability Plan (VDP) applies to all members who had applied previously and were denied coverage and to all future new enrolled members.
The following conditions will be made effective on Aug. 1, 2020:
- Those enrolled members must currently be actively at work
- Members who previously enrolled and were declined may find themselves in a new age group based on the new effective date of coverage. This will impact their premiums.
The $1,000 guaranteed approved benefit plan will have the following design:
- $1,000/month maximum benefit
- 180-day elimination period
- 2-year maximum benefit duration
- 12/12 pre-existing limitation (pre-existing condition clock will start Aug. 1, 2020)
For more information about the enhanced VDP plan or to enroll, visit www.smart-vltd.com or call the SMART-TD VDP Enrollment Center at 224-770-5328.
