With a message-sending 92% approval rate, the members of Local 1909 (St. Andrews, California) have ratified a new three-year contract with First Student. 
 
Locking in higher pay, better benefits, and improved working conditions, our brothers and sisters made notable gains while most importantly not giving up anything in return.  

Fighting for Raises Front and Center  

Local 1909 is the latest in an ever-growing list of SMART-TD locals that have recently approved strong contracts, sending a message that they deserve to be recognized for their knowledge, professionalism, and expertise.  
 
That doesn’t mean that the road to get there was easy, explains General Chairperson of GCA-FSG Maria Morales.  
 
“It was a hard fight with [First Student],” she said. “We had to do this on Zoom. It was never in person.”  
 
When negotiations began, the other side wasn’t interested in discussing raises and wages. GC Morales, who has worked for First Student for over 20 years, wouldn’t hear it.  

“I told them ‘We’re still here for a reason. We’re here, because we’re loyal and you guys don’t want to give us a raise,’” GC Morales explained. “You’ve got members that are here over 20-25 plus years and that means loyalty. That’s my word: loyalty. And you don’t want to give us a raise? That’s the fight that I was fighting for.”  

Contract Includes Overtime Fix, Fair Route Assignments, 401(k) Increases 

The new agreement goes into effect September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028, and includes: 

• Wages & Raises: Members receive significant annual raises over the lifetime of the agreement. GC Morales says that this win is what she’s most proud of out of everything that the union achieved. 
• 20-Day Limit on Discipline: Clear, 20-day deadline for issuing discipline after an incident, preventing delays or other arbitrary action.  
• Overtime Improvements: Time-and-a-half is earned after working eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Previously, it was only available after 40 hours worked in a week.  
• 401(k) Boosts: Starting with Year 2 of the contract, the match is increased to $350 and $500 in Year 3. 
• Fair Route Assignment: Unbid routes are assigned by reverse seniority instead of management choice.  

Perseverance Gets Strong Results

SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President James Sandoval assisted GC Morales throughout the negotiations.  
 
“James is a fighter. He won’t give up,” said GC Morales. “He’ll try and he’ll keep on trying. He takes this to the heart…he’ll do something to learn and keep on learning. That’s his thing: I have to fight, and I’m going to continue fighting.” 
 
That energy was matched by GC Morales. 
 
“She’s not afraid to dig in and fight for her members, especially when their livelihoods are on the line,” explained VP Sandoval. “This agreement is proof of that. Because of her determination and perseverance, the members of Local 1909 are protected by a strong agreement that is a true reflection of their worth and the value they bring to the craft.”

As the membership celebrates this win, GC Morales isn’t slowing down. 
 
Instead, she’s already looking ahead to 2028 when negotiations will ramp up and plans to be more prepared than ever.   
 
“We’re gonna fight again,” she declared.  

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Earlier this year, SMART-TD drew attention to what was quickly becoming an alarming trend: transit agencies across the country were making headlines for funding shortfalls and looming fiscal cliffs, leading to difficult decisions about future service and possible cuts. 
 
Unfortunately, very little about the situation has changed in the past four months while two new noticeable patterns have emerged: even more cities are confronting transit funding gaps and many of those facing the issue in the spring still haven’t agreed on a long-term solution. 
 
Let’s call this what it is: a nationwide transit funding crisis that’s spreading uncontrollably and showing no signs of slowing down. 

Budget Shortfalls Impact Riders, Workers

Elected or transit officials are usually the ones who are the most vocal about this problem, but the impacts will be felt by the riding public and SMART-TD members.  
 
Take the mass transit funding situation unfolding in Pennsylvania as a case in point. 
 
With just days left before SEPTA in Philadelphia signaled it will be forced to cut services without a reliable funding solution, lawmakers are scrambling to pass legislation that would stop the agency’s financial bleeding while also helping the transit system in Pittsburgh.  

If they can’t pass the bill, Philadelphia riders will endure crippling 20% service cuts, which would climb to 45% by the end of the year. Fare increases would also go into effect, just one day before Philadelphia public school students return to class.  
 
With many students in the area relying on public transportation to get to school, those traditional first day of school jitters would be heightened by a lack of a reliable way to even get there.

In addition, many of our SMART-TD transit brothers and sisters work for SEPTA and would undoubtedly be affected (even if not directly) by the service cuts. 
 
The bottom line: this is an unacceptable situation as a result of legislators kicking the can down the road instead of drafting a meaningful action plan. 

The “Pennsylvania Panic” joined by Arizona, Illinois, North Carolina

Regional Transportation Authority officials in Chicago are still in search of a fix for its nearly $800 million budget gap and North Carolinians will decide whether to approve a sales tax referendum to fund public transit when they head to the polls in November.  
 
In Arizona, the Tucson City Council just approved free bus fares while not hiding from the fact that it’s still looking for viable ways to fund public transit, leading one Councilmember to point out the rapidly approaching fiscal “cliff.”  
 
As the problem widens, it has become clear that no city is insulated.

Renewing Our Call to Action

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: all Americans deserve access to reliable, fully funded public transit.   
 
Simply ignoring our deepening, nationwide transit funding crisis will not make it go away; lawmakers at all levels of government must step up and fully fund the transit systems that so many of us rely on every day.  
 
Anything else is a blatant dereliction of duty and a broken promise to protect the constituents who elected them to office.  
 
SMART-TD will continue fighting to ensure that transit systems across the country are fully-funded and our brothers’ and sisters’ jobs are protected.

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By a strong majority, the members of SMART-TD Local 1785 (Santa Monica, California) have ratified a new, five-year contract with Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines.  

Members Wanted to be Paid Their Worth

One of the most notable highlights is a significant cost-of-living adjustment over the lifetime of the agreement, which includes a wage opener in January of 2029 to go back to the bargaining table and possibly secure an additional increase.  
 
Leadership for the General Committee of Adjustment for Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines (GCA SMB) points out that earning salaries that reflect their worth was top-of-mind for members and this agreement delivers on that priority.  
 
“I think that’s [the COLA and wage opener] going to benefit the operators financially in a significant way when we talk about transit,” explained GCA SMB General Chairperson Markeisha Haynes. “So, to possibly get us into making a substantial amount of money by 2029 is amazing.”   
 
Some of the other gains made in the agreement include… 

• Sick Leave: New hires receive six days of six leave instead of waiting six months for sick leave accruals. 
• Performance Evaluations: These have been removed from the contract and substituted with guaranteed step increases. 
• Attendance Policy: Allows for a temporary step reduction in pay in lieu of a suspension. 
• Holidays: Addition of one floating holiday 

Teamwork Gets Things Done

GCA SMB Vice Chairperson Christine Ivey praised James Sandoval, Vice President of the SMART-TD Bus Department, for his input during the negotiations.  
 
“We had a great team. James did a fantastic job,” said Vice Chairperson Ivey. “I couldn’t have been prouder of him. He understood the assignment. He went in and he did his best, and I commend him for all the effort that he put into it.” 
 
With yet another ratified agreement for SMART-TD’s Bus Department, VP Sandoval says this is proof that the momentum that’s been building in 2025 isn’t about to slow down any time soon.  
 
“During the first half of the year, SMART-TD’s Bus Department ratified several strong tentative agreements that showed that our brothers and sisters aren’t willing to settle for the bare minimum,” said VP Sandoval. “These contracts reflect our members’ worth and the professionalism, knowledge, and skill that they bring to the job. I’m very proud of Sister Haynes, the entire bargaining team, and the members of Local 1785 for their tenacity in fighting for what they deserve and becoming the latest addition to our growing list of wins for our bus operators!”  
 
General Chairperson Haynes says this contract is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the enthusiasm building at Local 1785.  
 
“We’re doing great things at our property, not only contract-wise but just overall as far as growth, as far as elected new officers,” explained General Chairperson Haynes. “This is the first time that our local has ever had a female cabinet. More people are starting to get involved because they’re starting to see that 1785 is moving in a great direction, so as long as we keep doing what we’re doing, getting the participation of membership, I’m really, really happy with where this is going.”  

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Clarification: SMART-Transportation Division does not endorse the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” but is supportive of a successful effort to eliminate a harmful provision that would have impacted our union’s bus operators.  
 
As the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is anticipated to head to President Trump’s desk for his signature, we are grateful that one provision that would have been particularly harmful to our SMART-TD bus operators is no longer included. 

Free Rein on Regulating Artificial Intelligence 

The original legislation contained a measure that would have prohibited states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for a period of 10 years, including automated driver systems.  
 
It’s no secret: automation is already a growing threat, but this would have given big tech companies even more leeway to operate unchecked and with limited accountability.  
 
Bottom line: including this provision would have made a bad situation worse.  

TD Members Directly at Risk

Our bus drivers and operators would have been directly impacted by this dangerous proposal, with their jobs and livelihoods at serious risk.  
 
There’s NO substitute for a human operator, and this proposal stood to replace skilled workers with robots and machines that can’t function with the precise skill and expertise that’s needed to perform this work, especially in the event of an emergency. 
 
While we are disappointed that more lawmakers did not stand up for their constituents and stop this harmful bill from becoming law, we’re grateful that the Senate took the important step of removing the AI provision before it moved any further through the legislative process.  

What’s Next 

We’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all members who took the time to reach out to their lawmakers this week to let them know how this bill will impact them and their families.  
 
Rest assured that your efforts did not go unnoticed. 
 
SMART-TD will continue fighting to ensure that our members and their jobs are protected from the very real threats posed by AI 
 
It’s clear that our collective voice accomplishes great things, but the work is not over.  
 
Whether at the local or federal level, keep speaking up and keep contacting your elected officials.  
 
Your input and our strength make a difference, and the fight is just beginning.  

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With a 90% approval rate, the members of SMART-TD Local 1701 (Montebello, CA) have ratified a new contract.  
 
Most notably, the agreement includes a significant pay increase over the next three years, including additional longevity pay after seven years of service.  
 
“I would like to thank my members for their patience and support and believing in us in our work to bring them the best contract possible,” said Cecilia Lopez, general chairperson of General Committee of Adjustment Montebello (876). “We were able to agree to…longevity at the completion of the seventh year of full-time service. We were very fortunate to have it start at seven years.”  
 
The longevity pay is a rare benefit and a victory for the negotiating team. Local 1701 represents Montebello Transit bus operators, mechanics, body shop, storekeepers, and service workers. Lopez noted that this was the second contract negotiated by GCA 876 Local 1701. 
 
“This second contract is a result and a testament to our working relationship with the City Council, City Manager, and Director of Transportation,” explained GC Lopez. “This is unprecedented to have all of them on our side working with us. [We’d] like to thank them all for their support, dedication, and commitment to moving forward in the right direction.”  

Close Collaboration Drives Results 

GC Lopez had specific praise for James Sandoval, Vice President of the SMART-TD Bus Department. 
 
“[VP Sandoval] was fantastic and was here every step of the way and was beyond supportive,” said GC Lopez.  
 
The feeling is mutual.  
 
“Sister Lopez is never afraid to stand up for our members and fight for what’s right,” said VP Sandoval. “For a second time, she has shown that working productively with city leaders while holding firm to members’ needs can result in a strong agreement with tangible, long-term gains, and I’m very proud of both Sister Lopez and GCA 876 Local 1701. This latest win for SMART-TD’s Bus Department proves that we’ve got growing momentum on our side and have no plans to slow down!” 

Congratulations to GC Lopez and our Local 1701 brothers and sisters on this victory!

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June 6, 2025 —SEPTA bus drivers (including SMART-TD Alternate Vice President Bus-East and General Chairperson Anthony Petty) provided real-world feedback after testing out the bulletproof barriers designed to protect operators. 

Developed by Custom Glass Solutions, the glare-resistant barriers are designed to shield operators from physical assaults and gunfire, while allowing quick access for first responders in case of emergencies. 
 
In March, SMART-TD was there when snipers tested the bulletproof barriers, and today’s feedback-gathering from our members is the next step in the process.  

Petty says that the company was on site with the drivers to ensure that all concerns were addressed. 
 
“[We’re looking] to see if we need to change anything out, like the fare box might be too close, things like that,” explained Petty.

They’re also examining whether the barriers are too close to the steering wheel, which would mean that they need to be pushed up toward the windows so that drivers can still safely make turns.

Once the kinks are worked out for the barriers on the first eight buses, Petty is hopeful that production will ramp up early next year to outfit the entire SEPTA fleet. 

After that, Petty wants to take this push for increased safety nationwide. 

“I hope every bus company gets this, but it has to start somewhere, and I’m glad it’s starting with SMART.”  

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With deep sorrow and heartfelt respect, SMART-TD mourns the untimely passing of Brother Darryl Lennell Redmon, General Chairperson of GO-STU First Student 1704 (Kansas City, MO) who departed this life on May 26, 2025, at the age of 73.  

A Leader of Principle and Compassion

Brother Redmon’s leadership style was characterized by empathy and respect for the voices of his fellow members. Whether representing operators at the bargaining table or encouraging member participation through grassroots outreach, he led with conviction and compassion. As noted by Sister Ethel Maze, Vice Chairperson of the General Committee and President of Local 1704: 

“Mr. Redmon devoted himself fully to the betterment of our Local. He stayed late for meetings, passed out flyers to encourage membership involvement, and continuously inspired others through his dedication and tireless efforts. His commitment to our union and its members was unwavering. 

Brother Redmon was truly one of a kind. His leadership, integrity and presence will be profoundly missed by all of us at Local 1704.” 

A Calling, Not Just a Career

Though his tenure with our union was brief, the depth of his impact will be felt for years to come through the contracts he helped shape, the lives he touched, and the unwavering example of servant leadership he provided.  

Brother Redmon joined SMART-TD in September 2022 as a school bus operator in Kansas City, Missouri. From the outset, his clarity of purpose and passion for advocating on behalf of working people set him apart. Within a year, he was elected Vice President of Local 1704, and in January 2024, he was elevated to General Chairperson, a role he embraced with humility, integrity, and a relentless drive to uplift his union family. 

Outside his union roles, Brother Redmon lived a life defined by service. He was known for his love of family, dedication to the community and profound faith. 

Honoring His Life and Work

Brother Redmon’s passing is a loss not only for Local 1704 but for the entire SMART-TD family. He is survived by his five beloved children, grandchildren, siblings, his dear special friend Angela Strass, and a host of family members, friends, and colleagues who all have our deepest sympathies.  His devotion to his family and faith was as strong as his commitment to his union, and he carried both with grace and honor. 

As we mourn, we also recommit ourselves to the mission that Brother Redmon lived every day: to protect, uplift, and unite each other through solidarity and service. His legacy will live on in every contract won, every member supported, and every child safely brought home by the operators he so passionately represented. 

We extend our deepest condolences to the Redmon family and the entire Local 1704 community. May we continue to honor our brother’s life not just in memory, but in action. 

Visitation for Brother Redmon will be held at Mount Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home (10507 Holmes Rd. Kansas City, MO 64131, on Thursday, June 5 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  

The funeral service will be held the following morning from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, June 6, at the Sheffield Family Life Center Assemblies Of God (5700 Winner Rd. Kansas City, MO 64127). 

Brother Redmon’s Graveside Committal will be held at Mount Moriah Cemetery (10507 Holmes Rd. Kansas City, MO 64131, at 12:30-12:45 following the funeral service.  

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The members of California Local 1741’s Local Committee of Adjustment for San Carlos Schools (LCA SCS) have ratified a new tentative agreement with a remarkable 96% approval rate. 

Their new two-year contract brings tangible gains in wages, retirement security, workplace rights, and union protections. The ratified contract goes into effect with the first full pay period after August 1, 2025. 

Key Gains for SMART-TD Bus Members in San Carlos

• Wage Increases: A 6.8% increase in top pay over two years, by the end of this period these members will enjoy the highest rate for School Bus Operators in the region. 
• 401(k) Match Doubles: The employer match for retirement contributions will increase from $500 to $1,000 by 2027, creating a stronger path to financial security for members. 
• Union Release Time: For the first time, union officers have secured the right to be released from their shifts for official union business, giving them more flexibility to serve and protect the membership. 
• Enhanced Discipline and Grievance Procedures: Members now benefit from more favorable timelines and an improved process that strengthens their voice in disciplinary matters. 
• No Concessions Given! 

These improvements, along with additional updates throughout the contract, reflect months of determined negotiations and collaborative effort between Local 1741 LCA SCS leadership and SMART-TD’s national Bus Department. 

Union Leadership Voices

Brother Timothy Haran, General Chairperson of Local 1741 LCA SCS, praised the solidarity and dedication of the membership, saying, “Talking with our members, they wanted to see a raise in wages, they wanted to see an increase in their 401(k) plans. All in all, what we wanted was security, and we got it in this contract.” Haran added that he wanted to thank Vice President James Sandoval for his role in the negotiations. “James is old school union. That is exactly what 1741 needed to get this done.” 

James Sandoval, Vice President of the SMART-TD Bus Department, who assisted throughout the process, added: 

“Brother Haran did a tremendous job advocating for our members. This agreement not only improves conditions now, but it also lays the groundwork for even stronger contracts in the future. Something I don’t want to see get lost in this agreement is the win that Tim (Brother Haran) got, allowing the leadership of 1741 LCA SCS to take the time off work needed to represent our brothers and sisters. This is one of those easily overlooked wins that will pay dividends in the short term and long term. Our Bus Operators work hard, and they deserve to be represented by officers who aren’t constrained by how much time and effort can go into working for them!” 

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Local 1741 continues to lead by example in the fight for fair treatment, dignity, and respect for school bus operators across the country. 

SMART-TD congratulates Local 1741’s LCA SCS members on this hard-earned and well-deserved success. 

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It’s a headline that’s becoming more and more frequent across the country: a transit agency faces funding issues or an impending fiscal cliff, which will likely result in increased fares, service cuts, or a combination or the two.  
 
From Chicago to Philadelphia to San Francisco, multiple cities face difficult decisions about the futures of their transit agencies as the impact of reduced funding, or a lack of funding becomes a reality.  
 
No matter the exact cause, one thing is clear: SMART-TD members and the riding public will ultimately suffer the consequences. 

Death by a Thousand Cuts  

In what’s arguably the most-publicized and widest-reaching out of all the funding cuts on the chopping block (but far from the only one), Regional Transportation Authority officials in Chicago are considering reducing services by as much as 40% unless lawmakers act within the month. 
 
This means that up to 20% of Chicagoans who rely on public transit for their daily commutes and other important travel needs would be left stranded.  

In Philadelphia, SEPTA is looking at a similar scenario. As reported by the Philadelphia Tribune, SEPTA has released a budget proposal featuring a 45% cut in service, fare increases, and workforce reductions.  

In San Francisco, the municipal transit agency is looking at a $322 million budget deficit. The city has a committee working to present six different plans on how the city will close this gap. No matter what combination of cost cutting and new revenue streams this committee settles on, it may be forced to reduce the services the transit authority is able to offer.

However, these proposed service reductions extend beyond just the riding public.  
 
Cutting this infrastructure also impacts SMART-TD members, many of whom operate these vital, frontline transit vehicles every day and ensure that riders reach their destinations safely and efficiently.  
 
The fact that our brothers and sisters could be forced to pay the price for management’s lack of fiscal responsibility and longstanding budget shortfalls is an insult to the dedication and professionalism that are hallmarks of the duties that they perform.

Public Deserves Access to Fully Funded Transit 

 
Regardless of where they live, SMART-TD believes that all Americans deserve access to reliable, fully funded public transit.  
 
Reducing or cutting this vital resource is a disservice to the riding public and our members, who are dedicated to ensuring that these systems operate as intended and under the safest conditions possible. 
 
Investing in our communities means investing in public transit, and we call on local, state, and federal leaders to fulfill their fiscal duty by funding these systems so that they can operate at their full potential and serve their riders.

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Frontline transit workers in Colorado are one step closer to securing on-the-job protections after a critical piece of legislation passed the Senate earlier today. 
 
Led by Colorado State Safety & Legislative Director Carl Smith and the SMART-TD Colorado State Legislative Board, “Transit Worker Assault and Training Requirements” widens the definition of a transit worker and imposes harsher penalties for transit assaults. 
 
After Tuesday’s vote, the bill continues its journey to the Governor’s desk. The House of Representatives will review and vote on Senate-added amendments. With only 15 legislative days remaining in the session, supporters know that the clock is ticking.  

Assaulting a transit worker to be a Class I misdemeanor 

As introduced, HB25-1290 creates a specific criminal offense related to assault of a transit worker. Assaults would be classified as a Class I misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. 
 
The bill also updates the definition of “transit worker” to include bus operators, train operators, ticket inspectors, conductors, and several other categories including Amtrak workers.  
 
Colorado Safety & Legislative Director Carl Smith says this legislation boils down to one major issue: safety.  

Every state that protects their transit workers brings our union closer to the goal of creating worker protection across the entire nation.  
 
“Transit professionals operate under uniquely dangerous conditions: outnumbered, unarmed, and responsible for the safety of large and ever-changing groups of passengers,” emphasized SLD Smith. “Their main priority is to get riders safely from one place to another, but that job comes with the risk of being punched, kicked, stabbed, or even shot and the perpetrators often walk away with minimal consequences. This is unacceptable, and we’re committed to changing that.” 

Conservatives support increased penalties 

In the House, the bill passed with strong Republican support and cleared the Senate with only five opposing votes.  
 
A handful of Democrats joined their counterparts in supporting the legislation, despite opposition from many within the Caucus citing concerns over increased criminal penalties. 
 
SMART-TD is grateful for the support this bill received from the Republican side of the aisle and from those Democrats who chose to stand up for worker safety.  

The clock is ticking 

With adjournment scheduled for May 7, SLD Smith and the legislation’s supporters are watching lawmakers’ moves closely, especially given what happened in 2024. 
 
With only 10 days left in last year’s legislative session, corporate railroad lobbyists used a pending rail safety bill to threaten passenger rail in the state. Political maneuvering resulted in the new Office of Rail Safety. SLD Smith notes that this bill is just as important and is staying vigilant for any last-minute surprises.

“Safety on the job is not some obscure, abstract policy issue. It’s about life or death for many of our brothers and sisters,” said SLD Smith. “Every SMART-TD member is entitled to go to work without fearing they’ll be assaulted on the job.” 
 
From freight to passenger to bus operations, SLD Smith and his Board have consistently pushed meaningful legislation to protect SMART-TD members and to hold employers, agencies, and now lawmakers accountable for the safety of our workforce. 
 

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