Welcome to SMART-TD Local 1505

SMART1505 is a proud division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART Union), serving as a dedicated Railroad Union based in Spokane, WA. Our mission is to advocate for and support the rights of railroad workers, ensuring that every member receives fair treatment, safe working conditions, and a voice in the workplace. By joining SMART-TD Local 1505, you become part of a community that tirelessly champions better working conditions and strives to protect the dignity and well-being of all railroad employees. Together, we work to build a stronger, more equitable future for our industry. Join us today and make a difference!

URGET email sent to MTO Powell regarding Uber and Required use of our personal cellphone to preform required Onduty tasks on company issued devices and computers.

URGET: Uber/Lyft Driver issues and pick up push notifications. Plus other saftey and personal use issues email sent evening of 12/9/26.

Hello MTO Powell,
 
Hope things are well sir have a few concerns regarding these ride share companies hauling us.  We had a local 1505 meeting and here are the concerns that were brought to my attention.  
 
1.  Are we required by Union Pacific to use our Private cell phones for any company business. If yes what required company duties are we required to do with our personal cell phone.  
 
2.  Omaha managers, dispatchers, anyone in a position of authority is telling various crews through out the course of our shifts that we crews are required to use our personal cell phones to except Uber rides receive notifications as to where and when rides will arrive at locations determined off our current duties of the shift.  Dispatchers are telling crews they must log into Uber and use push notifications to call for our rides at depots, crew change, sidings, where ever service is needed determined by onduty managers, dispatchers, etcetera.  A lot to unpack in this question.
 
3.  Using our personal cell phone 
to aquire 4 digit login pass code for company main frame computers, the UP handheld work order device.  So I understand security and us having a app to get a new 4 digit code every time we log in from a non Main Frame Computer or Company Mobile Device.  I.E.  when were not onduty on our personal private time for access to the UP system for board standings schedule timeoff etc.  What I dont get is being forced to use a private cell phone that is very restricted for use in TE&Y while onduty.  We all were issued a UP handheld mobile work order/handheld computer.  That device had Wi-Fi plus cell phone use if it was enabled by the Carrier which was not for TE&Y due to the mobile device restrictions stemming from FRA Emergency Order 24 in the fateful commuter collision in CALIFORNIA with rear ending a stopped UP freight train.  Many fatalities from that accident.  We were all issued UP devicees then were made to turn them in as only locals would be issued a device.  All this in my opinion was a huge cost cutting move to put the ownership on us the employee.  So if you have a UP device on a local you must use your personal private cell phone to retrieve 4 digit login codes to access Company owned mobile devices i.e. handheld work order device many times a day.  Like a dozen or more just depending on device needs, service availability for device transmission.  You must do thisbmany times a day plus to access the Main Frame from a company hard wired computer you must use your personal private cell phone to retrieve a 4 digit code.  So again I ask are we required to use our personal private cell phones to preform thes duties.  
 
3. Uber/Lyft Drivers and vehicles smelling of pot use or obviously impaired driver how do we handle this there is no way to report these issues on Uber/Lyft that we in TE&V are aware of or any training on how to handle said issues or report said issues.  Speeding is huge with these drivers.  They show us no credentials or even get out of there vehicles to open and close hatches.  What is the criteria for these drivers to be used as a supposed UBER XL driver.  Again no training no posted information at all in any Company building.  This Uber/ Lyft situation is going to lead to a fatal car accident with a crew and needs addressed ASAP.....
 
4.  Are we not allowed by Superintendent or GM bulletins not to operate hatches on vehicles that are manual non powered due to past injuries?
 
5.  It comes down to saftey and cost for TE&Y and as far as I can tell which is simply my personal option not fact driven with data per say that those two items are not a priority with the above mentioned list of issues.  Keep cost low force employees by fear and intimidation to use personal private cell phones, no cost expenditure to the UP.  Also Safety we preach it but only when it serves the UP.  Getting in any vehicle at work whether its a hotel van, PTI Crew bus, Ride Share Uber/Lyft or UP company vehicle hands down is the most dangerous thing we do.  Frankly I feel UP has put a allowable cost to my life, my sister's and brothers lives when it comes ro Ride Share Uber/Lift all modes of vehicular transportation. 
 
EXTRA AFTER ALREADY DRAFTED QUESTION: For many years ever crew transportation contract was specific and specified Chevrolet GM  Suburbans 4x4 to haul crews why not now?  Very important question...
 
6.  Again a lot to unpack but very important and a speedy response of instructions on how to handle said issues and answers with what is required on all issues is probably necessary from a higher chain of command but Eric you are my immediate Supervisor and I look for guidance from you as this is a proper chain of command for questions and answers.  Thank for your time sir in these urgent and important matters.  Have a safe and rewarding day sir thank you again for your time.  
 
P.S. A lot to unpack sorry for that but all issues have been bubbling up for quite sometime on property and all were topics of conversation at our union meeting regarding safety concerns.  
 
Matthew L Lebsack
SMART-TD Local 1505
Safety & Legislative Representative
lebsackml@hotmail.com
509 991 6878
 

RESPONSE FROM GENERAL CHAIRMAN EDDINGTON, all good news and great info!!!!!  12/10/25 also no Carrier Response.

Brother Matt,

I can give some insight on the agreement side of this and have attached some other documents that have information on your other questions. On the Legislative side, SLD Bob Guy filed a formal complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission against UP in late 2020 for the carrier's use of Uber.  The attached is the ultimate findings from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which found that UP didn't violate state law or ICC's regulations regarding the transportation of crews, although they recommended that UP adopt provisions already established to apply to UBER transportation of rail employees.

 

During the complaint however, our legal department was able to provide valuable input that confirmed FELA protections for rail employees being transported by UBER (or other Transportation Network Providers (TNP's)) and UP had to prove that their insurance requirements for UBER included Underinsured/Uninsured coverages that met state requirements.

 

There’s information about reporting drivers or vehicles that are unsafe along with the types of vehicles that Uber will use. The agreements don’t go into that level of detail; they just say that suitable transportation will be provided. We all know our definition of suitable is very different from UP’s and has been a point of contention for decades.

 

SLD Foust sent in a list of questions/concerns he had in Nebraska (response from UP is attached). In UP’s response, they answered that our members are not required to use their personal phone for Uber. On the agreement side, there’s no provision that requires us to use our phones for company business. If a manager instructs a member to do so, they should not be insubordinate but must inform the manager they will comply but are doing so in protest. The members need to write down the time and date, managers initials or name, and what they were using their phone for, then file a claim using that information. Here’s a template of the claim they should submit.  

 

Claim language:

 

Claiming a basic day penalty account of Carrier instructing me to use my personal phone to arrange transportation with Uber on (date) at (time) from (location) to (location).

 

Supporting Documentation:

  • Screen shot of text messages with Uber and/or call logs with Uber
  • FRA tie up with rubber miles

 

I hope this is helpful and if you need anything else, let me know.

 

Fraternally,

Luke Edington

 

 

Have Questions About Pool Turn Start Count or Weekly Turn Needs?

If you have any questions regarding the pool turn start count or the number of pool turns needed per week, feel free to reach out to Hunter Beddingfield at 509-564-9100. You can also contact us through our Contact Us Portal located at the bottom of the page. We’re here to help!

12/9/25

Spokane RT21

 Add 1 - 9 Turns 

Spokane RT22

Hold - 15 Turns

SMART-TD 6 & 2 Scheduled Days Off Question & Answer Email Response Gives You Direct Acess To Those Negotiating.

On August 1, 2025, Special Board of Adjustment No. 1208 issued an award, which set the framework for final resolution of on-property contract negotiations at Union Pacific as were required by our most recent 2022 National Agreement, intended to address rest days, quality of life, and certain pool and extra board rules. Since we could not reach a voluntary agreement with UP, these issues were mandated to go to final and binding arbitration. 

 

It is important to understand that SBA 1208 merely sets the basic framework for what our final on-property agreements will say. Our General Committees are still in talks with UP to iron out those details. In accordance with the award's findings, this process requires written, mutually agreed upon questions and answers for interpretations within the award, along with an implementation process. The award also states that the arbitrator will maintain jurisdiction over interpretation and implementation matters for another 6 months. We anticipate that this process will take several weeks or even months to reach a conclusion wherein the full extent of the award will be implemented.

 

Understandably, this has led to some uncertainty and speculation among our UP members. In response, the involved General Chairpersons distributed information, including fact sheets, to all of our affected Locals. We have also been responsive to individual members' concerns whenever they have reached out. Despite these efforts, misinformation and disinformation is continuing to spread.

 

In order to help determine fact from fiction, and truth from lies, we have set up a dedicated email address for Union Pacific members who still have questions about this award and the implementation process. We encourage our members to get the facts straight from the source, rather than listening to hearsay, rumors, or flat-out lies from bad faith actors looking to capitalize on this inherent and temporary uncertainty.

 

Questions, comments, and concerns may be submitted to SBA1208@smart-union.org. Our members' questions are particularly valuable, as they may be included in the required written Q&A's that are currently being compiled.

 

All SMART-TD members will receive a response!

Up Date On Ride Share & Taxi Cab

As of right now the UTC for Washington State has taken  the stance with some verbiage in the law that gives UP a loop hole to use Ride Share.  Here is a email response to member Glenn Allison' thank you for forwarding this information.

On Fri, Sep 26, 2025, 13:18 McPherson, Kathryn (UTC) <kathryn.mcpherson@utc.wa.gov> wrote:

Thank you for taking to the time to express your concerns that Union Pacific Railroad may be in violation of RCW 81.61 - RAILROADS—RAILROAD CREW TRANSPORTATION.


In accordance with RCW 81.61.050 (6) The commission must investigate safety complaints related to contract railroad crew transportation under this chapter and take appropriate enforcement action as authorized. Staff reviewed the complaint, directed at transportation network companies (TNC).

 

After review of Washington Administrative Code 480-62 and articles of the rulemaking, Commission staff (Staff) in consultation with its legal team, believes that in general, TNCs do not fit the definition of a contract crew transportation vehicle defined as:

 

"Contract crew transportation vehicle," as used in this chapter, means every motor vehicle, designed to transport fifteen or fewer passengers, including the driver, that is owned, leased, operated, or maintained by a person contracting with a railroad company or its agents, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, sub vendors, secondary vendors, or subcarriers, and used primarily to provide railroad crew transportation.

 

The “used primarily to provide railroad crew transportation” seems to exclude most typical uses of TNCs in the absence of additional information. Because TNCs are generally available to the public and not primarily operating as contract crew transportation vehicles, Staff’s determination is that your complaint does not highlight a violation of Commission rules. Thank you for your diligence in reporting your concerns. Please let Staff know if we can be of further assistance.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathryn McPherson

Passenger Carrier Compliance Investigator

(360) 867-8305

HYPER LINK ZOOM MEETING

 

Matthew Lebsack is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: SMART-TD LOCAL 1505 Monthly Meeting
Time: Dec 9, 2025 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Second Tue, 36 occurrence(s)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZAvfu2grj0iE9KY6h8zi3aM2ba9_v9SRqJy/ics?icsToken=DCIc0x1oCFBMsqR2vwAALAAAAEIoKY3ZjVWJTOD0ckKVta6t1b18tQ3ozOEpSMHZEKkFDW-3PuwcMp2ep39DamQX2rN9le18ns7ZFXFMDzAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=cP484t8BRXiQ5lQ3nxh7ow
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84294806896?pwd=4FGIfMQB5eg9H8zjKWh81spKM2Xdli.1

Meeting ID: 842 9480 6896
Passcode: 351872

Setting Up A Zoom Meeting

 
Steps for creating a zoom call
  1. Open the Zoom App: Launch the Zoom app on your Android phone and sign in with your account. 
     
  2. Go to the Meetings Tab: At the bottom of the app, tap the Meetings tab. 
     
  3. Tap Schedule: Select the Schedule icon to create a new meeting. 
     
  4. Enter Meeting Details: Provide a topic or name for your meeting, then set the desired date and time. 
     
  5. Select Meeting Options: Choose any other meeting options you prefer, such as a password or waiting room. 
     
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Steps to invite attendees
  1. Find Your Scheduled Meeting: In the "Meetings" tab, find and tap on the meeting you just scheduled. 
     
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  3. Choose an Invitation Method:
    • Copy Link: Select this to copy the invitation link and paste it into any messaging app. 
       
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  4. Send the Invitation: Once you've chosen your method, send the invitation to your participants. 

 

Welcome to SMART-TD Local 1505

SMART-TD Local 1505 proudly represents conductors on the Union Pacific Railroad, ensuring our members have the support, resources, and advocacy they need to succeed. We are dedicated to providing up-to-date union contract information, clarifying agreements, and empowering our membership with the knowledge and tools necessary to be professional and informed railroad workers. Our mission is to ensure strong union representation, safeguard your rights, and keep you equipped to navigate the challenges of the railroad industry with confidence.

Tey How To File A Complaint Pdf
PDF – 148.3 KB 68 downloads

Expert Legal Representation in FELA Law

When it comes to protecting your rights under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA), having the right legal representation is crucial. We specialize in providing expert legal services for railroad workers who have been injured on the job. As part of our commitment to your best interests, we proudly participate in the Designated Legal Counsel program of SMART-TD (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division). This program ensures that our legal team is thoroughly vetted and highly qualified to handle your case with the care and expertise it deserves. Contact us today to discuss your case and secure the representation you need to protect your livelihood and future.

 

 

 

Safety Hotline Reporting & Crew Boards

Ensuring a safe and effective workplace is vital for the success of any organization. With Safety Hotline Reporting, team members can quickly and confidentially report safety concerns, hazards, or incidents. This proactive approach fosters accountability and helps maintain a secure environment. Additionally, integrating Crew Boards provides a centralized space for scheduling, team updates, and important notices, keeping everyone informed and aligned. Together, these tools create a culture of transparency, safety, and efficiency, empowering teams to focus on their work while prioritizing safety and communication.

Supporting Locomotive Engineers for a Thriving Career

At our core, we are dedicated to ensuring our members receive the support and resources needed to thrive in the railroad industry as locomotive engineers. We understand the challenges and opportunities that come with this vital profession, and our mission is to empower engineers with the tools, knowledge, and guidance required for success. Whether it's through educational programs, career development resources, or a strong network of peers, we are committed to fostering growth and excellence in every aspect of the industry. Together, we’re building a future where locomotive engineers can not only advance their skills but also set new standards for safety and efficiency on the rails.

 

 

The Washington State Legislative Department of SMART-TD

Advocating for Members and Their Families

The Washington State Legislative Department of SMART-TD is dedicated to representing the interests of all railroad workers who are members of SMART-TD in Washington, along with their families. We are committed to advocating for policies that ensure fairness, safety, and economic security for our members. Through consistent and determined lobbying efforts, we work tirelessly to create a better future for railroad workers by promoting legislation and initiatives that protect their rights, improve working conditions, and support their families. Our mission remains steadfast: to be the voice that champions the needs of our members and to build a stronger, more secure environment for all.

 

Prioritizing Healthcare and Wellness for Our Members and Their Families

At our core, we believe that healthcare and wellness benefits are essential to ensuring a better quality of life for our members and their families. We are committed to providing comprehensive support that not only addresses immediate health concerns but also promotes long-term wellness and financial security. With a focus on retirement benefits and holistic well-being, we strive to create a foundation that empowers our members to enjoy peace of mind, knowing that both their health and future are in good hands. Your well-being is our priority, and we continually work to deliver meaningful benefits tailored to your needs, ensuring a brighter and healthier tomorrow for you and your loved ones.

EEBD DEFECTIVE CLAIM PROCESS 

If your (EEBD) Emergency  Escape Breathing Device is defective please take the fallowing steps ASAP!

Below is a who to call and what Info will be needed.  I have added my photos as examples to help you and contact info for supplier.

1. Call the safety supplier: 1 800 949 6155

2. Take pictures of items: shipping labels and EEBD

3. Attach photos to email: farah.ardeshir@wurthindustry.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I join SMART1505?
To join SMART1505, simply fill out our membership application form on our website.

What services does SMART1505 offer?
SMART1505 offers legal representation, training programs, and negotiation services to support members in the railroad industry.

How can SMART1505 support me in my career?
SMART1505 can support you in your career by providing resources, advocacy, and opportunities for growth and advancement.

Why Join SMART1505? Hear from Our Members

"I've been a member of SMART1505 since 1998 and have always felt supported and valued. The union has truly made a difference in my career and I highly recommend joining." – Matthew L. Lebsack

At SMART1505, we take pride in fostering a community where every member feels empowered and appreciated. Since 1998, members like Matthew have trusted us to provide unwavering support, career growth opportunities, and a strong collective voice. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned professional, SMART1505 is here to make a positive impact on your career. Join us today and experience the difference.

Contact SMART-TD Local 1505

Have questions or need assistance? Contact us at SMART-TD Local 1505, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can! Please keep in mind that we are all dedicated volunteers in our union and work full-time jobs, so your patience is greatly appreciated. To reach us, please use our Contact Us Portal below. Additionally, you can connect with us on Facebook at "SMART Local1505" and on Instagram at @smartlocal1505. We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact us Portal 

Union Meeting Date & Location 

Date & Location

SMART1505 Monthly Meeting 2nd Tuesday of every month 1pm. 


New York Pizza Depot, 4380 W Riverbend Ave, Post Falls, ID 83854

About us

SMART1505 is a dedicated Railroad Union in Spokane, WA committed to advocating for and supporting the rights of railroad workers. We strive to empower our members through legal representation, training programs, and negotiation services to ensure a brighter future for all.