Jeremy R. Ferguson of Local 313 (Grand Rapids, Mich.) on Aug. 11 was elected to a second five-year term as President of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD).
According to the union, his second term leading the United States’ largest railroad and transit union begins Oct. 1.
“I’m proud of each and every one of [our members], and I’m proud of my team behind me,” Ferguson said at the third SMART-TD Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. After serving in the U.S. Army and attending college, Ferguson in 1994 began his railroad career as a conductor for CSX in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was promoted to engineer in 1995. Ferguson was elected Local Legislative Representative in 1995; Local Chairperson in 1996; and Secretary of the CSX/B&O General Committee, GO 049, in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2007. He was elected Second Vice General Chairperson in 2008 and First Vice General Chairperson in 2011. At the first SMART-TD Convention in 2014, Ferguson was elected Vice President. Last summer, the Surface Transportation Board appointed him as a labor representative to the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council.
National Legislative Director Gregory Hynes (Local 1081, Phoenix, Ariz.) and Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity of Local 1377 (Russell, Ky.) were also returned to their positions in uncontested elections, according to SMART-TD.
All six Transportation Division rail Vice Presidents ran uncontested, the union said, and were re-elected by acclamation:
- Brent Leonard (Local 202, Denver, Colo.); Leonard was also returned to the Successor President position by acclamation.
- Chad Adams (Local 331, Temple, Texas)
- Jamie Modesitt (Local 298, Garrett, Ind.).
- Joe Lopez (Local 794, Wellington, Kan.).
- Gary Crest (Local 807, Tucson, Ariz.).
- Dave Wier Jr. (Local 469, Madison, Ill.).
Rail Alternative Vice President Anthony Simon (Local 645, Babylon, N.Y.) announced his retirement, according to the union, creating a vacancy. GCA-721 General Chairperson Thomas Behsman of Local 64 (Waseca, Minn.), who works for Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and GCA-270 General Chairperson Edward W. “Chip” Waugh of Local 1258 (Elgin, Ill.), who works for Chicago’s Metra commuter railroad, both sought to join the incumbent Transportation Division’s leadership, which included:
- Scott Chelette (Local 1337, New Orleans, La.).
- Larry Miller Jr. (Local 1841, Klamath, Ore.).
- Chris Bartz (Local 1976, St. Paul, Minn.).
- Tommy Gholson (Local 573, Danville, Ky.).
- Luke Edington (Local 286, North Platte, Neb.).
The final vote tally saw Waugh joining the five incumbents.
SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President Alvy Hughes (Local 1596, Charlotte, N.C.) was challenged by Manuel Martinez of Local 1608 (Chatsworth, Calif.). Hughes won the election, 896-104. Also, SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President James Sandoval (Local 23, Santa Cruz, Calif.) was challenged by Alternate Vice President Richard Finley of Local 1558 (Bergenfield, N.J.). Sandoval retained his seat, 939-58.
Additionally, Anthony Petty of Local 1594 (Upper Darby, Pa.) was elected to Bus Department Alternate Vice President – East by acclamation. Incumbent Alternated Vice President – West Markeisha Haynes of Local 1785 (Santa Monica, Calif.) faced a challenge from longtime LACMTA bus operator Pedro “Pete” Lara of Local 1563 (El Monte, Calif.) and won the vote, 861-126.
According to the union, three incumbents on the SMART-TD Board of Appeals were returned to the Board by acclamation. They are:
- Tony McAdams (Local 1092, Teague, Texas) Road Service.
- Kevin Smith (Local 1813, Colton, Calif.) Yard Service.
- Tim Flynn Jr. (Local 832, Superior, Wis.) Engine Service.
Brenda Moore (Local 1715, Charlotte, N.C.) retired from her role as the Bus Department’s representative on the Board of Appeals, and Rick Pauli did not run for re-election as the Commuter representative, leaving room for two new faces on the board, according to the union. Christine Ivey (Local 1785, Santa Monica, Calif.) ran unopposed as Moore’s replacement, and an election was held for two candidates for the Commuter Board of Appeals vacancy. LCA-769A Chairperson Cole Czub of Local 898 (Boston, Mass.), a member of the Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety Committee, faced LCA-769 Chairperson Mike Buckley of Local 838 (Philadelphia, Pa.), and won his election. Czub and Ivey assume their new roles Oct. 1.
