A regional labor event brought together transportation workers, union representatives and legal professionals from across the Southeast, providing an opportunity for members to strengthen relationships and discuss workplace concerns. More than 60 SMART Transportation Division members and supporters participated in the fourth annual North Carolina-South Carolina Solidarity Shootout on Sept. 26.
The event was organized by North Carolina State Safety and Legislative Director Ron Ingerick, South Carolina State Safety and Legislative Director Will Ferguson and members of SMART-TD's Designated Legal Counsel community.
Taylor Dees of Local 1129 in Raleigh, North Carolina, took first place after scoring 48 of 50 possible points. Dees works as a Norfolk Southern conductor.
Lawton Folsom placed second with 42 points. Folsom is the son of Georgia Safety and Legislative Director Patrick Folsom of Local 1263 in Valdosta, Georgia.
J.P. Hancock finished third with 41 points. Hancock is a CSX conductor and serves as both local chairperson and president of Local 1011 in Hamlet, North Carolina. He entered the competition as the defending champion after recording the highest score at the previous year's event.
The event also provided information about SMART-TD's Discipline Income Protection Program, known as DIPP. Members who enrolled in the program or increased their existing coverage during the event received an entry into a shotgun raffle.
John Finger of Local 1129 in Raleigh was selected as the winner. Finger is a Norfolk Southern engineer and has been a union member since 2004. The raffle prize was a TriStar over-under 12-gauge shotgun.
DIPP provides income protection for members who are suspended, dismissed or removed from service following disciplinary action.
The annual event was established to improve communication between the North Carolina and South Carolina state legislative boards while also bringing rail and bus members together.
The gathering provides a setting for members, officers and legal representatives to interact outside their regular workplace activities. The participating state organizations can also use the event to maintain relationships that support coordination on legislative, safety and workplace matters affecting members across state boundaries.
Regional events that connect transportation workers with union leadership can provide an additional channel for members to exchange information and discuss workplace issues. The Carolina gathering combines that interaction with an annual competition, bringing together participants from multiple locals and transportation operations across the Southeast.
Source: Smart.
