Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express, and Station Employes

Variant names
Dates:
Active 1910
Active 1931
Active 1975
Active 1979

History notes:

The Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express, and Station Employees was organized in 1899, and was affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. Union name variants were the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees, AFL-CIO; the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks; and the Railway Clerks of America, Order. 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.

From the description of Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express, and Station Employees records, 1910-1931. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 429910558

Historical Background

In December 1899, the Order of Railway Clerks was organized in Sedalia, Missouri. Initially the Order affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. The Order's first convention, however, severed this connection in 1901 and it was not resumed for many years. The name of the organization was changed to the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks in 1904, and two years later it became involved in its first strike against the Southern Pacific.

The Brotherhood expanded in 1908 to include freight handlers, and over the next ten years other classes of workers joined as well. The 1919 convention adopted the name Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees. Airline clerks and employees were added in 1945, although the word "airline" did not appear in the official union name until 1967.

From the guide to the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees, (California State Railroad Museum Library)

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Subjects:

  • Arbitration, Industrial
  • Railroads
  • Steamboat lines
  • Transport workers

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)

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