SMART-TD Calls on U.S. Senate to Support the Cantwell Amendment and Protect Rail Workers

June 30, 2025

Home>News>Front Page>SMART-TD Calls on U.S. Senate to Support the Cantwell Amendment and Protect Rail Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

INDEPENDENCE, OH – June 30, 2025 —As lawmakers in the upper chamber rush to pass the U.S. Senate’s version of the “big, beautiful” spending bill, SMART-TD applauds Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) for introducing Amendment #2613, which would ensure that railroaders are included in the overtime tax deduction.

But its passage is not guaranteed: Contact your U.S. Senators immediately and ask them to support the Cantwell Amendment (#2613). Please follow this link to the SMART-TD Legislative Action Center to send a message of support to your U.S. Senator.  
 
In its current form, the bill only grants tax-exempt status on overtime pay to workers covered under the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is an oversight that excludes our rail members.

SMART-TD refuses to let our brothers and sisters fall through the cracks. 
 
In productive discussions with Senator Cantwell, we also emphasized that railroad overtime is not calculated as it would be for workers in other industries. Senator Cantwell modified her amendment to account for overtime based on individual work assignments, not the total number of hours worked in a particular week or pay period. 
 
If adopted, Amendment #2613 will bring equity to rail workers across the country. We are grateful to Senator Cantwell for sponsoring this amendment and advocating for rail workers in this process. We urge all Senators to vote “YES” and protect railroaders who help keep America moving.

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About SMART-TD

The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers—Transportation Division (SMART-TD), also known as the SMART-TD Railroad Union, is the largest rail union in North America, representing more than 100,000 workers. We fight for the rights of our members, ensuring that they receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and the benefits they deserve. Our union is committed to standing up for all railroad workers and ensuring that their voices are heard in Washington, D.C.