Posts tagged Transport Workers Union of America
Federal judge tosses Brightline suit, upholding workers’ vote to unionize
April 3, 2026 // The case centered on whether Brightline qualifies as a railroad under federal labor law. Brightline argued that because it operates only within Florida and is not regulated by the Surface Transportation Board, it should not fall under the Railway Labor Act, the law that governs rail and airline labor relations. If the judge had agreed, the union election would have been invalid. Judge Gayles rejected that argument, saying the law does not limit labor protections only to railroads regulated by the Surface Transportation Board. He also pointed out that Brightline received federal grants to help build and improve its rail system. Under federal law, companies that use rail infrastructure built with those funds are considered rail carriers and must follow federal railroad labor laws, including allowing workers to organize.
Labor unions urge regulators to press big U.S. railroads on employment and service levels
December 7, 2023 // Employment levels for train crews, maintenance workers, and shop forces is down 13% at BNSF, 22% at CSX, 28% at NS, and 26% at UP compared to 2016, the unions say. “The railroads credit themselves with having increased employment since this Agency held hearings regarding the service failures of the Class I’s in April of 2022. But climbing a few rungs up a ladder in a hole does not mean one is out of the hole,” Edelman wrote. The reductions in staffing levels significantly exceed the decline in rail volume, he says. The smaller workforce means that fewer employees have to inspect, maintain, and repair the same infrastructure. Edelman also says that despite train and engine crew hiring efforts, the railroads remain understaffed and are pressuring employees to work without days off.
Automation Won’t Eliminate Truckers
February 8, 2022 // Even though U.S. job openings are close to 11 million— including 580,000 openings in transportation, warehousing, and utilities—truckers are worried that new automated vehicle technology will take away their jobs.
Akron Metro RTA strike on hold; national union says local gave improper notice
November 13, 2021 // AKRON, Ohio “On November 11, 2021, the officers of the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) took action to put an end to the dysfunction among the leadership of TWU Local 1,” says a statement on the Local 1 website. “The TWU International Executive Committee voted unanimously to place Local 1 into temporary receivership. That means the International Union will immediately take over your contract negotiations with the Akron METRO.