When SMART Speaks, Washington Listens

SMART General President Michael Coleman brought the voice of every member of our union directly into a high-level conversation on Capitol Hill last week. On Wednesday, April 15, General President Coleman got the opportunity to address the Congressional Labor Caucus on the real issues facing working people in our industries.

The Congressional Labor Caucus, formed in 2020, has quickly become one of the most effective groups in the U.S. House focused on workers’ rights. This group of lawmakers from all over the country is united by a simple goal: finding practical solutions for American workers. Their growing influence and their willingness and ability to work across party lines made this a powerful opportunity for SMART to be heard.

GP Coleman Highlights the Role SMART Members Play Across the US

Coleman began his remarks by making it clear who we are as a union. Whether through sheet metal work that ensures safe buildings and clean air or through Transportation Division members operating freight trains, Amtrak, transit systems, and buses from coast to coast, SMART members build and maintain critical infrastructure and keep the country moving.

From there, he got straight to the issues affecting more than 230,000 workers across the United States and Canada.

Rail Safety Concerns Front and Center

Coleman didn’t hold back on the issue of rail safety. Three years after the East Palestine derailment, he told lawmakers that serious risks remain unaddressed and that his members are still facing unnecessary dangers day in and day out. Longer trains, reduced inspections, disabled wayside defect detectors, and pressure to cut crew sizes are all contributing to a system where more than 1,000 derailments still occur each year.

“This is unacceptable by any transportation standard,” was the clear message.

But Coleman didn’t just identify the problem. He laid out exactly what Congress can do to fix it for us. Coleman asked them to pass comprehensive rail safety legislation, maintain minimum crew sizes, and strengthen federal oversight and enforcement, closing loopholes and shedding light on the blind spots Railroad Corporations use to skirt federal regulations. It was a direct, solutions-focused approach that didn’t leave any guesswork about the path forward.

Transit Safety NOW, Not Later

Coleman also highlighted the growing crisis facing transit workers across the country. Violence on buses and transit systems is rising, and too many workers are left without the protections they need. He called on Congress to establish national safety standards, invest in protective infrastructure, and enforce stronger penalties for assaults on transit workers. He pointed out that multiple pieces of legislation are in front of Congress right now that will move the needle in this direction and noted that if lawmakers are serious about their support for the safety of American workers, these bills TD has gotten to the Hill are how they can act on it.

Everyone Has Problems. Few Have Solutions.

Both SMART-TD’S National Safety & Legislative Director and Deputy Director, Jared Cassity and Don Roach, were in the room with the GP for these important conversations.

“I was proud of the representation GP Coleman gave our Transportation Division members,” Cassity said. “It was clear to everyone there that he understands the safety challenges our rail and bus members face every day. He spoke with authority, and he made sure our issues were heard.”

Roach described the moment as something unique.

“To have a group of lawmakers who are committed to labor all in one room, and then to walk them through exactly how they can help our members today, and why it matters to the country, was something to see,” Roach said. “He gave them not just the problems, but a clear plan to act on.”

While the discussion included key Transportation Division priorities, Coleman also strongly advocated for SMART’s sheet metal members, reinforcing the need for policies that support good-paying union jobs, strong apprenticeship programs, training standards, and safe, high-quality, union-built infrastructure in communities across the country.

Significance that Cannot be Overstated

The Congressional Labor Caucus has built a reputation for producing results. Its members are engaged, coordinated, and focused on advancing pro-worker policies. For SMART to be invited to speak to this group is a clear sign that our union is viewed as a leader in today’s labor movement.

That distinction belongs to every member.

From the General President’s office to the newest hires in rail yards and bus garages across the country, SMART’s strength comes from our people. The work done every day by our members is what has built the credibility that opens doors like this for our organization.

Your reputation and professionalism created this moment where our union’s voice carried weight in a room full of decision-makers. A moment where real solutions were put on the table and a moment that showed, once again, that when SMART speaks, Washington listens.