Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes was organized by workers responsible for the physical condition of operational railway rights of way. It was founded in Alabama in 1887 as the Order of Railroad Trackmen.

From the guide to the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Files, 1925-1970, bulk 1941-1970., (Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library)

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees was founded in 1887 in Demopolis, Alabama, as the Order of Railroad Trackmen. The original order was primarily a benevolent society. The name was changed about 1899. The Anaconda local of the union was headed by John Shannon, D. P. Hayes, and Ed Gavin.

From the description of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees records, 1920. (Montana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 727142325

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes was organized by workers responsible for the physical condition of operational railway rights of way. It was founded in Alabama in 1887 as the Order of Railroad Trackmen.

In 1892, the Order merged with the Brotherhood of Railway Section Foremen of North America, a related organization, to form the Brotherhood of Railway Track Foremen of America. In 1896, the membership of the union was opened to white track laborers as well as foremen and the organization became known as the Brotherhood of Railway Trackmen of America. In 1918, the Trackmen reintegrated a secessionist faction that had existed as a separate group since 1914 and became known as the United Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes and Railway Shop Laborers. The union adopted its current name in 1925 as part of an effort to settle jurisdictional problems with other American Federation of Labor unions.

From the description of Miscellaneous files, 1925-1970, bulk 1941-1970. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 64755573