Largest Rail Union , Rejects Deal, , Rail Stike Is Imminent.<br />The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation union (SMART-TD) announced on Nov. 21 that it had rejected a tenetative deal struck with freight railroads in Sept.<br />The SMART-TD represents 28,000 railroad conductors.<br />The announcement means a strike could occur in two weeks, in the midst of the holiday season.<br />In a statement, SMART-TD president Jeremy Ferguson indicated that a strike isn't the only outcome of the union's rejection of the contract.<br />SMART-TD members with their votes have spoken, it’s now back to the bargaining table for our operating craft members, Jeremy Ferguson, SMART-TD president, <br />'The New York Times'.<br />This can all be settled <br />through negotiations <br />and without a strike. , Jeremy Ferguson, SMART-TD president, <br />'The New York Times'.<br />A settlement would be in the best interests of the workers, the railroads, shippers and the American people, Jeremy Ferguson, SMART-TD president, <br />'The New York Times'.<br />The deadline for successful negotiations is Dec. 9.<br />The other major railroad union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), pledged its solidarity with SMART-TD.<br />We stood shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in SMART-TD and others in rail labor throughout this process .., Dennis Pierce, BLET Union President, NBC News.<br />... and we will continue to stand in solidarity with them as we approach the finish line in this round of negotiations, Dennis Pierce, BLET Union President, NBC News.<br />BLET represents 24,000 railroad engineers.<br />A spokesperson for the Association of American Railroads stated that organization is open to negotiating.<br />[R]ailroads stand ready to reach new deals. [However,] the window continues to narrow as deadlines rapidly approach, Ian Jefferies, Association of American Railroads CEO, 'The New York Times'
