SMART Union, the transportation labor organization representing rail and transit workers, has publicly credited Representative Jeff Van Drew with leadership on rail safety, calling him "a partner in progress" in a recently published profile.

The union's piece centers on the New Jersey congressman's engagement with rail safety issues, a policy area that has drawn sustained legislative attention since the February 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the subsequent congressional debate over federal rail safety legislation. SMART Union's endorsement positions Van Drew alongside labor's priorities in that debate.

What does the endorsement signal?

SMART Union — formed from the merger of the Sheet Metal Workers and the Transportation Communications Union — represents conductors, brakemen, and other operating and crafts personnel across Class I freight railroads, passenger carriers, and transit systems. When a union of this footprint singles out a House member by name, it usually reflects a track record of votes, co-sponsorships, or direct advocacy on issues such as crew staffing, inspection practices, and worker protections.

The phrase "a partner in progress" frames Van Drew as an ally rather than a one-time vote, suggesting sustained engagement with the union's legislative agenda rather than a single bill or amendment.

Why does rail safety remain a live issue?

Rail safety legislation has stalled and advanced in fits and starts since the East Palestine derailment, with labor unions pressing for provisions covering two-person crews, wayside detector standards, and penalties for carriers that delay inspections. SMART Union has been among the most vocal organizations in that campaign, regularly publishing lawmaker scorecards and endorsements to keep pressure on Congress.

The union's decision to spotlight Van Drew indicates that, in its assessment, the congressman's record aligns with the positions labor has advanced through that debate. Specific legislative measures, vote records, or pending bills were not itemized in the publication's headline material.

What comes next?

SMART Union's profile serves both as recognition and as leverage — a signal to its members and to other lawmakers about which relationships labor intends to cultivate as rail safety legislation continues to move, or stall, through Congress.