Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees (1899-)

The Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express, and Station Employees was organized in 1899 in Sedalia, Missouri as the Order of Railway Clerks of America. It was initially affiliated with the American Federation of Labor but the tie was severed in 1901 and did not resume for many years. Union name variants were the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks (1904); Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees (1919); and the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees (1967). In 1906 the Brotherhood engaged in its first strike against the Southern Pacific. In 1908 the Brotherhood expanded to include freight handlers, and over the next ten years other classes of workers joined as well. Airline clerks and employees were added in 1945, although the word "airline" did not appear in the official union name until 1967.

It was the largest single railroad organization for employees who devoted a majority of their time to clerical work of any description including chief clerks, foremen, train announcers, gatemen, checkers; parcel, baggage, and storeroom employees; dock and pier workers; train and engine crew callers; timekeepers; paymasters; freight inspectors; rate and tariff compilers; weigh masters; ticket clerks and sellers; operators of all office and station equipment devices; telephone and switchboard operators; and all employees occupying or performing duties similar to those mentioned. Males and females of good moral character with at least three months of experience in clerical work were eligible for membership. During the period of government control of the railroads, the union secured increases in wages and better working conditions.

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