PO BOX 484
Blacklick, OH. 43004
Cell: 419-565-2629
Representing Ohio's Conductors, Engineers and Yardmasters
Union History
SMART-TD Union History
History of the SMART Transportation Division
We are the SMART Transportation Division (SMART TD) labor union, headquartered in the Cleveland suburb of North Olmsted, Ohio.
In January 2008, the United Transportation Union (UTU) and Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association merged to form the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation International union (SMART Union) and it was then that the UTU became known as SMART TD. Combined, these unions hold over 200 years of history and tradition in the fields of rail, transit, aviation and sheet metal.
SMART TD represents nearly 125,000 active and retired railroad, bus, mass transit and airline workers in the United States and Canada.
With offices in Cleveland and Washington, D.C., SMART TD is the largest railroad operating union in North America, with more than 500 locals. The SMART TD represents employees on every Class I railroad, as well as employees on many regional and shortline railroads. It also represents bus and mass transit employees on approximately 45 bus and transit systems and has recently grown to include airline pilots, dispatchers and other airport personnel.
Membership is drawn primarily from the operating crafts in the railroad industry and includes conductors, brakemen, switchmen, ground service personnel, locomotive engineers, hostlers and workers in associated crafts. More than 1,800 railroad yardmasters also are represented by SMART TD. Our 8,000 bus and transit members include drivers, mechanics and employees in related occupations.
Widely recognized as the leader among transportation labor unions, SMART TD sets the pace in national and state legislative activity, collective bargaining, and in efforts to improve safety and working conditions on the railroads and in the bus, transit and airline industries. Through experienced representation and its legislative strength, SMART TD has been instrumental in the preservation of Amtrak (the national rail passenger network), the enactment of numerous safety laws and the promotion of employee assistance programs.
SMART TD has been successful in the past and continues to strive for progressive and innovative contracts that ensure excellent wages and benefits and a healthy pension system for the railroad, bus, mass transit and airline employees who have devoted their lives to service those industries.
SMART TD continues to lead in efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse among its members, in the promotion of mass transit and an efficient rail passenger service, and in protecting its members and the public from the unsafe shipment of hazardous materials.
A brief history of the United Transportation Union
In 1968 exploratory talks among the four brotherhoods’ interested in forming one transportation union proved fruitful and plans were formulated for merging of the four operation unions into a single organization to represent all four operating crafts.
In August 1968, the union presidents announced that after nine months of planning, a tentative agreement had been reached on all phases of unity. It was further announced that the name of the new organization would be the United Transportation Union and the target date for establishing the UTU was Jan. 1, 1969.
In Chicago on Dec. 10, 1968, the tabulation of the voting revealed an overwhelming desire by the members of the four crafts to merge into a single union, and the United Transportation Union came into existence on Jan. 1, 1969.
We are the SMART Transportation Division (SMART TD) labor union, headquartered in the Cleveland suburb of North Olmsted, Ohio.
In January 2008, the United Transportation Union (UTU) and Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association merged to form the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation International union (SMART Union) and it was then that the UTU became known as SMART TD. Combined, these unions hold over 200 years of history and tradition in the fields of rail, transit, aviation and sheet metal.
SMART TD represents nearly 125,000 active and retired railroad, bus, mass transit and airline workers in the United States and Canada.
With offices in Cleveland and Washington, D.C., SMART TD is the largest railroad operating union in North America, with more than 500 locals. The SMART TD represents employees on every Class I railroad, as well as employees on many regional and shortline railroads. It also represents bus and mass transit employees on approximately 45 bus and transit systems and has recently grown to include airline pilots, dispatchers and other airport personnel.
Membership is drawn primarily from the operating crafts in the railroad industry and includes conductors, brakemen, switchmen, ground service personnel, locomotive engineers, hostlers and workers in associated crafts. More than 1,800 railroad yardmasters also are represented by SMART TD. Our 8,000 bus and transit members include drivers, mechanics and employees in related occupations.
Widely recognized as the leader among transportation labor unions, SMART TD sets the pace in national and state legislative activity, collective bargaining, and in efforts to improve safety and working conditions on the railroads and in the bus, transit and airline industries. Through experienced representation and its legislative strength, SMART TD has been instrumental in the preservation of Amtrak (the national rail passenger network), the enactment of numerous safety laws and the promotion of employee assistance programs.
SMART TD has been successful in the past and continues to strive for progressive and innovative contracts that ensure excellent wages and benefits and a healthy pension system for the railroad, bus, mass transit and airline employees who have devoted their lives to service those industries.
SMART TD continues to lead in efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse among its members, in the promotion of mass transit and an efficient rail passenger service, and in protecting its members and the public from the unsafe shipment of hazardous materials.
A brief history of the United Transportation Union
In 1968 exploratory talks among the four brotherhoods’ interested in forming one transportation union proved fruitful and plans were formulated for merging of the four operation unions into a single organization to represent all four operating crafts.
In August 1968, the union presidents announced that after nine months of planning, a tentative agreement had been reached on all phases of unity. It was further announced that the name of the new organization would be the United Transportation Union and the target date for establishing the UTU was Jan. 1, 1969.
In Chicago on Dec. 10, 1968, the tabulation of the voting revealed an overwhelming desire by the members of the four crafts to merge into a single union, and the United Transportation Union came into existence on Jan. 1, 1969.