SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The National Mediation Board yesterday certified the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes as the newly-elected collective bargaining representative of 473 track, bridge and dock workers on Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation.
The NMB certified the BMWE after conducting an authorization card check and confirming that 55% of the eligible workers had signed cards. Canadian National Railway, WC’s parent company, had agreed to card check recognition.
The maintenance of way employees on WC were non-union for more than 16 years, mainly because of a series of line sales by the former SOO Line, Chicago & North Western and Fox River Valley Railroads.
“We are glad to welcome these workers back into the BMWE and look forward to their full participation in the union,” said BMWE Director of Organizing Paul Swanson.
Prior to yesterday’s organizing win, the WC maintenance of way forces were the largest non-union group of track workers in the U.S. or Canada, the BMWE said.
Four locals have already elected officers and bargaining committees in preparation for contract negotiations with CN/WC, including one in Michigan (Escanaba), and three in Wisconsin (Eau Claire, Green Bay and Fond du Lac).
The BMWE leadership and staff will prepare bargaining demands to serve on the carrier and commence bargaining as quickly as the Railway Labor Act allows. Local bargaining committee representatives will participate in all bargaining sessions.