AFL-CIO. Railway Employes' Dept.

Records of the Railway Employes' Department of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (RED). The RED was formed in 1908 to facilitate and coordinate the organizing activities and bargaining strategies of the seven national railroad shop craft unions.

The unions affiliated with RED included: the Brotherhood of Carmen of America; the International Association of Machinists; International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop Forgers, and Helpers; the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers; the Iron Shipbuilders and Helpers of America; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers; and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. Materials relating to the Machinists and Carmen predominate. The RED bargained with the railroad carriers for these skilled trade employees on a wide range of activities affecting almost every aspect of their social and economic status as employees.

RED was active in organizing, collective bargaining, apprentice training, strike coordination, political lobbying and the protection of job opportunities for these railroad workers. The RED endeavored to guarantee every member representation, to preserve craft autonomy, and to provide for joint federated action through unity of purpose and increased economic strength. Of the 377 national railroads with which the RED negotiated, eighteen emerge as major subjects in these records. They are the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad; the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; the Boston and Maine Railroad; the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad; the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad; the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad; the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad; Long Island Railroad; Louisville and Nashville Railroad; Michigan Central Railroad; Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad; New York Central Railroad; New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad; Norfolk and Western Railroad; Northern Pacific Railway; Pennsylvania Railroad; Southern Pacific Railroad; and the Union Pacific Railroad.