William P. Lyons is a National Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a Division of the Rail Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He was elected by acclamation to his first term at the BLET’s Fifth National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 12, 2022.
Immediately prior to his election, Brother Lyons served as a National Division Trustee. He was elected unanimously by the BLET Advisory Board to serve a partial term as Trustee effective February 1, 2018, and was reelected by acclamation to continue serving in that role at the BLET’s Fourth National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 3, 2018.
From 2013-2022, Brother Lyons served the Brotherhood as General Chairman of the CSXT-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), which represents nearly 3,000 active and retired members. In 2009, Brother Lyons was nominated and elected to the GCA’s Second Vice General Chairman office, a full-time position that required him to relocate to Florida. Over the next three years, he was elevated to serve the GCA as First Vice General Chairman and Acting General Chairman. He was elected to his first full term of office as General Chairman in May of 2013 and was reelected by acclamation in 2017 and 2021.
Brother Lyons began his railroad career when he hired out as a conductor for CSXT at Columbus, Ohio, on February 28, 2000. He joined BLET Division 34 in Columbus, Ohio, on September 1, 2003, and he immediately became an active and involved leader. In 2004, Brother Lyons became Division 34’s first-ever Local Chairman for trainmen after the BLE merged with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. One year later, he became the GCA’s first-ever conductor to be elected to the office of Regional Vice General Chairman. Shortly thereafter, he earned promotion to locomotive engineer.
Brother Lyons has served the National Division in various capacities. In 2010, he was elected by acclamation to serve as Fifth Alternate National Vice President at the BLET’s Second National Convention. In 2014, he was elected by acclamation to the office of Fourth Alternate National Vice President at the BLET’s Third National Convention. At the BLET’s Fourth National Convention in 2018, he was elected by acclamation to the office of First Alternate National Vice President. He also served as a member of the National Division’s Arrangements Committee during the 2010 and 2014 conventions. He has twice been elected as his GCA’s delegate to the IBT International conventions in 2011 and 2016. Brother Lyons also served as a Vice Chairman of the BLET’s National General Chairmen’s Association.
As General Chairman and Vice General Chairman, Brother Lyons participated in numerous on-property negotiations with CSXT. He also recently led negotiations for another on-property agreement with Bombardier Transportation Services for his members working in MARC commuter rail service. Brother Lyons is assigned to the National Wage Committee for the current round of national contract negotiations, and served in the same role during the round of negotiations that concluded in 2017, with an agreement that was ratified by 88% of voting members.
Prior to his railroad career, Brother Lyons attended Eastern Kentucky University, where he studied Fire Science Engineering. He also holds a degree in Labor Studies.