Posts tagged SMART
Two unions announce opposition to UP-NS merger (revised)
July 30, 2025 // Two unions — the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, and the Transport Workers Union of America — have announced their opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger proposed today by the two railroads. SMART said it will oppose the merger when it goes to the Surface Transportation Board for approval, while the TWU — which represents some Norfolk Southern workers — said it “strongly opposes” the deal and is urging regulators, lawmakers, shippers and unions to block the transaction. Other unions have also expressed concern about the creation of a coast-to-coast railroad that would cover more than 52,000 miles and employ more than 52,000 people, although few have done so in language as strong as that of TWU International President John Samuelsen. In a statement, he called UP’s safety record “shameful” and said, “There is no world where Union Pacific should be controlling a coast-to-coast rail network.
Labor demands return of union apprentice jailed in El Salvador
April 20, 2025 // Abrego Garcia’s fate has drawn enormous national attention, including from the union movement. SMART has been demanding his return and asking supporters to call their member of Congress. The national AFL-CIO is echoing that call. At the annual legislative conference put on by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), NABTU president Sean McGarvey also spoke up for Abrego Garcia.
SEPTA and unions reach contract agreement, avoiding a strike in the Philadelphia region
November 21, 2024 // SEPTA and the unions representing suburban and city transit workers have come to a tentative 1-year agreement, avoiding a transit strike in the Philadelphia region. Action News has learned Wednesday that the agreement includes a 5% wage increase, as well as a pension increase. However, there were no concessions to healthcare. They also made "significant improvements" in safety, including a pilot program on eight buses for bulletproof enclosures around drivers.
Potential triple strike could ‘shut region down,’ says union boss
November 20, 2024 // Three large unions in greater Philadelphia are all threatening to strike at the same time in a move that could "shut the region down," according to one union president. Unions representing SEPTA operators in both the city and suburbs are currently negotiating new contracts, as is the union representing more than 9,000 municipal workers. All three unions have voted to authorize strikes if talks break down. The presidents of the three unions met for breakfast Tuesday morning in Northern Liberties at Spring Garden Restaurant.
SMART Union Spent Over $6 Million on Left-Leaning Advocacy Between 2019-202
September 30, 2024 // “The public and union members deserve to know how the union is spending workers’ dues dollars. 99 percent of SMART’s recent advocacy spending has gone to left-leaning organizations,” said communications director Charlyce Bozzello. CUF examined the SMART’s LM-2 financial filings from 2019 – 2022 with the Office of Labor and Management Standards (OLMS) to offer a transparent look into the union’s financial priorities and how it spends members’ dues dollars.
Philly workers got organized in 2023. Look back on this year’s strikes, walkouts, and union campaigns.
December 30, 2023 // As worker organizing activity heated up toward the end of 2022, with new unions and strikes grabbing headlines through the fall, labor leaders predicted 2023 would be an even bigger year for employees seizing on their leverage.
Railroad pact could fall apart, unions set to vote Thursday
September 20, 2022 // The report quoted Railroad Works United activist Ron Kaminkow saying that average rail workers felt “a lot of anger, confusion and hostility” toward the deal, with the workers unhappy about vague details about sick leave and other days off. And the publication Labor Notes said a contract rejection “is still a very live possibility, based on discussions with members and leaders of various unions involved.”
Biden in Wilmington for labor talks
March 7, 2022 //