FELA law firms such as Rome, Arata and Baxley often work hand in hand with the railroad unions to protect the rights of union members. There are many types of claims for which a railroad union member may need a FELA attorney’s help. These include not only FELA injury cases, but also railroad whistleblower claims or wrongful termination claims.

In each type of case, coordination and cooperation between the railroad’s union representation and their FELA attorney can help everyone involved achieve success. Working together we can bring to light key documents (such as safety committee records). Working together we can discover potential witnesses the railroad may try to keep hidden. By working with the local members and officers, we try to share important information with members. Clearly, it’s important that the members be made aware of any statutes and deadlines that may apply to a claim. For instance, if a railroad worker waits for his union appeal to be heard by the Public Law Board, their 180 day statute of limitations on his whistleblower claim may have expired.

In the last 20 plus years, we have been honored to represent general chairmen, local chairmen, presidents and other union officers. Our firm considers it an important vote of confidence when a general chairman, local chairman or other union official trusts us to handle their own personal cases as they often do. Please feel free to contact us for referrals from happy former clients.

Our firm strives to maximize the value of each case. We feel strongly that the rights of each and every worker should be pursued as vigorously as possible. This should be done not only for the immediate benefit of the injured worker and to establish fair case value for future workers who might find themselves in similar situations.

Please note: If you are hurt working for the railroad you don’t have to hire any specific lawyer or law firm. You don’t have to hire an attorney someone else might choose for you. You should hire the attorney that best represents you and your family. The BLE has recently published an excellent list of criteria to consider when choosing a FELA lawyer to handle your railroad injury case or railroad whistleblower case. Rome Arata Baxley is unsurpassed in meeting and exceeding these criteria.

Railroad Union Links

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLE-T)

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was North America’s oldest rail labor union when it merged with the Teamsters on January 1, 2004. They became the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen on that day.

Membership- The BLET represents Locomotive Engineers, Conductors, Brakemen, Firemen, Switchmen, Hostlers and other Train Service Employees on numerous railroads in the United States. The BLET’s total membership is more than 59,000 and growing, in spite of industry consolidation.

BLE-T Attorneys- On February 29, 2012, the BLE-T began to to refer its members to the directory of the American Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (“ARLA”), an organization made up exclusively of lawyers who represent injured employees under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. Rome, Arata and Baxley are members of ARLA and we applaud the BLE for issuing this excellent list of criteria to consider when choosing a FELA lawyer to handle your railroad injury case.

SMART- Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation International Union

(formerly United Transportation Union (UTU) and Sheet Metal Workers Union (SMWIA)

SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers was formed when United Transportation Union (UTU), which historically was the main union for railroad conductors, brakemen and switchmen, merged with the Sheet Metal Worker’s International Association (SWMIA) on November 30th, 2011.The United Transportation Union (UTU) was formed in 1968, from a merger of 4 major railroad unions. They were headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

In November 30th, 2011, The United Transportation Union (UTU) and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) merged to form the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation International union (SMART Union). UTU was then renamed SMART-TD (Transportation Division) within the broader SMART structure. SMART now operates from Washington, DC.

Membership- SMART is one of North America’s most dynamic and diverse unions with 230,000 members as of May, 2025. SMART’s members produce and provide the vital services that move products to market, passengers to their destinations and ensure the quality of the air we breathe. Members are sheet metal workers, service technicians, bus operators, engineers, conductors, sign workers, welders, production employees and more. With members in scores of different occupations, the union advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence at work and opportunity for all working families.

SMART-TD is in itself the largest railroad operating union in North America, with more than 600 locals. SMART represents employees on every Class I railroad, as well as employees on many regional and shortline railroads. Membership is drawn primarily from the operating crafts in the railroad industry and includes conductors, brakemen, switchmen, ground service personnel, locomotive engineers, hostlers and workers in associated crafts. More than 1,800 railroad yardmasters also are represented by the SMART-TD.

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees BMWE

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees is a Division of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters representing and protecting the rights of rail workers who build and maintain the track and structures on railroads throughout the United States of America.

Membership- Once an International union with over 350,000 members in the United States and Canada, automation, the rise of the trucking and airline industries, coupled with the policies of a conservative government, has depleted the ranks of the BMWED to under 40,000 members. Joining with the Teamster’s Union made them part of an organization that has 1.3 million members.

Transportation Communication Union (TCU)

The Transportation Communications International Union or TCU is the successor to the union formerly known as the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks and includes within it many other organizations, including the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters that have merged with it since 1969. In July 2005, TCU affiliated with the IAM, with full merger by January 2012.

Membership- The Transportation Communications Union/IAM represents approximately 46,000 members in the U.S., most employed in the railroad industry.

Transportation Communication Union – Carmen Division

The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen was founded on September 9, 1890, in Topeka, Kansas, by railroad employees engaged in the repair and inspection of railroad cars. The Brotherhood merged with BRAC in 1986 and is now part of TCU’s Carmen Division, which operates under its own by-laws with a vice-president who holds a seat on TCU’s Executive Council.

International Association of Machinists (IAM)

Many Machinists employed by railroads are members of the Transportation ‘Territory’ of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. See the two entries above for more information. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is an AFL-CIO/CLC trade union representing approx. 646,933 workers as of 2006 in more than 200 industries.

Transit Workers Union (TWU)

The TWU was formed in 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression when New York City’s transit companies were abusing their workers. Over the last 75 years they have gained members from states spanning the country and have grown to represent four divisions: Rail, Transit, Air and Gaming.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

Many Electricians employed by railroads are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The IBEW represents approximately 675,000 members who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because it is among the largest and has members in so many skilled occupations.

Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS)

The BRS was founded in 1901 as a trade union representing railroad employees working in what was then the new craft of signaling. As railroads increasingly turned to the new technology of signal systems to improve the safety and efficiency of their operations, the BRS expanded and eventually grew into a national organization representing the men and women who install and maintain signal systems for most of the nation’s railroads.

Membership- The BRS represents over 10,000 members working for railroads across the United States and into Canada.

American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association (ARASA at TCU)

The American Railway Supervisors Association, later renamed the American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association, was founded on November 14, 1934, by a group of supervisors on the Chicago and North Western Railway. ARASA merged with BRAC (which eventually became TCU) in 1980 and continues as a separate Supervisors’ Division, operating under its own by-laws, within TCU.

American Train Dispatchers Association

The American Train Dispatchers Association or Train Dispatchers trade union represents mostly railroad dispatchers. The Train Dispatchers belong to the AFL-CIO as one of the organization’s smallest members. The organization also represents the railroad crafts that provide power to electrified trains, mostly on commuter lines. On short line railroads, the organization acts as more of an industrial union and also represents trainmen, engineers, maintenance of way employees, mechanics and clerical staff.

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