Smartgo875

01/10/2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We share your heartbreak and anxiety with the devastation that you have experienced and observed from the wildfires in Los Angeles County.

As essential workers during disasters, you are critical to the continued functioning of the Los Angeles area through these crises. To support you in these efforts, your General Committee has been partnering with Metro. General Chairmperson, John M. Ellis, remains in constant contact with Metro to help to make things as safe and healthy for you as conditions allow. In response, for instance, Metro has short turned and detoured routes to best serve their customers while keeping our members safe. Also, Metro has assured us that they have enough N-95 masks available and on order for your use.

You are Metro’s eyes and ears on the street, because only you are intimately familiar with changing local conditions. If you see something that needs fixing, we urge you to report such issues to Metro Management to give them a chance to resolve it. If issues are not resolved or if you wish to document matters further, please reach out to your Local Chairperson. We will work with you on such matters.

We wish to commend all of our members for being there when the public needs you the most. In the past few years, you have done an incredible job to move Metro through a succession of natural crises. With your assistance and support, we can help Metro and Los Angeles County move past this one.

For members who have been catastrophically affected, please contact the SMART Union Office in Irwindale at (626) 962-9980. SMART's International office has a disaster relief fund to help assist you during this time. An application form must be submitted with proper claim information. The International office will then assess and verify all legitimate claims.

Furthermore, this is a link of emergency resources Metro has shared.

https://www.metro.net/emergency-employee-resources/

10/04/2024

Safety Transit Security Conference Bulletin

09/25/2024

*Bus Hijacking*

Last night, a gunman hijacked an in-service Metro bus, holding the Operator and passengers hostage.

A passenger was shot and sadly he was fatally wounded. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.

Subsequently, the gunman directed the Operator to drive towards downtown Los Angeles. The quick-thinking Operator immediately triggered his emergency alarm. Answering the alarm, the Los Angeles Police Department intercepted the bus.

After a standoff, the gunman was taken into custody. SMART praises the calm demeanor and heroism actions of the Operator.

This grave incident emphasizes the continuing safety concerns that our members have raised and that we, your General Committee, have vehemently expressed to Metro management. The protection of our members remains the very top priority of your Union.

In this regard, we have been the driving force in Metro’s decision to Install protective driver barriers aboard the buses. It should be noted that Metro promised us that they would complete installation of the barriers by the end of the year. In addition, recently, we strongly supported a Metro Board motion to entirely revamp Metro’s police protection to better safeguard our membership. This process has begun.

As General Chairman of SMART-TD General Committee 875, I remain totally committed to your safety. I have already spoken to the Operator and assured him the Union is standing strong.

06/27/2024

Today Is A Victorious Historic Day - The L.A. Board approves “Metros own in house police agency”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Recently we met with Janice Hahn (A Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors) and Karen Bass (Los Angeles City Mayor) and we reiterated our stance in more police presence for you all.

Meanwhile , we have been relentless pushing for Metros own in-house police agency.

Today, June 27, 2024 SMART’s Unions Committee and I attended the L.A. County Board of Directors meeting.

The Union wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the forward steps the Board took today to create a safer environment for our members and for the riding public.

Too often incidents aboard Metro vehicles have compromised your lives and dissuaded residents from riding the bus and rail services. Maintaining the status quo was NOT an option.

The safety proposal for Metros own in-house police agency APPROVED today, allows Metro to control safety priorities and better commit resources toward protecting our Members who operate Metro vehicles and the people that our members serve.

We look forward to working with CEO Wiggins and management to make this proposal a reality.

We understand your own police agency will take years to ensure it works effectively and as swiftly as possible. It needs to start from the ground up during a 5 year transition. We will keep you updated as it progresses.

Nevertheless, we will continue to campaign to keep our members, Metros frontline heroes as safe as possible.

Thank you for your continued service. Every single one of you matter!




Group picture right to left, Juan Gonzalez Local Chairperson Rail 1605, Andy, Carter Local Chairperson 1564, Quintin Wormley Local Chairperson 1565/Vice General Chairman, John M. Ellis SMART Unions General Chairman, Julio Mejia Local Chairperson 1607/Secretary of the General Committee of Adjustment, Jaime Delgadillo Local Chairperson 1563, (absent in picture, Edgar Menendez Local Chairperson 1608)

05/03/2024

Dear SMART-TD Members,

We understand the sick out affected a small percentage of bus riders. We want SMART Union members to know, we recognize your anguish and Metro sees your frustration. We will continue these stepping stones of safety. MTA CEO Stephanie Wiggins and I met this afternoon to solidify our ongoing commitment to work together to improve safety on the Metro transit system. I stand by my previous statement and am confident that by working hand in hand, we can achieve our goal. Our SMART Union Committee, which includes 6 Local Chairpersons will not stop advocating for the safety and well-being of our members, all Metro employees, and customers alike.

05/03/2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Moving forward, SMART as a whole is fully invested in partnering with CEO Wiggins, the entire Metro leadership team, and SMART’s Committee to realize a vision of a safer, more secure transit system. I’m confident that by working hand in hand, we can improve safety for everyone. I extend my deepest appreciation to each and every one of our Members and to their families, for their ongoing dedication to serving the people of Los Angeles. Along side with SMART’s Committee (your Local Chairperson representatives) we will continue to advocate for the safety and well-being of our Members, all Metro employees, and customers alike.

04/26/2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

At today’s Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved and authorized the emergency procurement designation to expedite the completion of the installation of the retrofit barriers on all of Metros Fleet by the end of December.

I would like to recognize CEO Stephanie Wiggins for taking action during these unprecedented times.

CEO Wiggins acknowledged my concerns and request that the current contracted agencies of law enforcement are not enough. We need a dedicated Metro Police system for Transportation only.

This is a vital and legitimate request I am proposing to Metro. The CEO and I will partner together and I am confident our collaborative efforts will prevail.

04/25/2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers;

I will not stop, I cannot stop!

More patron assaults have been reported. When it’s not a valued member, it’s an innocent rider being attacked.

The current contracted agencies of law enforcement is not sufficient! We need a dedicated Metro Police system for Transportation how we had it in the 80’s.

It will create a better safety transportation system, dedicated police taking care of nothing BUT transit! No if, ands or buts about it. Everyone’s life matters.

Metro declares an emergency amid jump in bus driver assaults and seeks to quickly build barriers to wall drivers off from dangerous passengers.

04/19/2024

Enough is enough!

04/19/2024

Enough is enough!

This is the third violent crime involving Metro bus drivers or passengers in less than a week.

04/19/2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have reached a critical milestone! After receiving our members input and countless meetings with Metro, on Thursday, April 18, 2024 I viewed the completed prototype enclosure. I have requested the ex*****on and mass production of the implementation of the driver enclosures.

I drove the bus for 35 years and I understand what you’re all up against daily. No one can begin to comprehend what an Operator faces during these unpredictable times. Rest assured I have raised hell and have reached out to the news media to press on the safety justice owed to you.

I will not stop fighting until all enclosures are on all the buses. We must remain vigilant to this plague effecting our Brothers and Sisters. Your physical and mental health is of upmost priority to your Union and families.

I will keep you apprised as we make headway and retrofit buses start rolling out. PLEASE stay alert and safe. God bless you all!

Thank you all for your service.

John M. Ellis
General Chairperson
SMART-TDGO875

03/25/2024

*Creation of New Rail Local 1605*

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This bulletin serves to clarify any concerns about the recent news that a new Rail Local 1605 has been formed exclusively for Rail Operators with the approval of the International.

We hope that the bulletin answers our memberships concerns. All Chairpersons will place a copy of this Bulletin on all Bus and Rail Divisions bulletin boards.

Thank you!