Railway Employes' Department

The Railway Employes' Department (RED) was a semi-autonomous labour union department of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO).

History The department was founded in 1908, as the Railroad Employes' Department, and was chartered by the American Federation of Labor in February 1909. In 1915, it became the "Railway Employes' Department", and it continued to use the old spelling of employees throughout its existence. By 1925, the department had nine affiliates:

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Brotherhood of Railway Carmen International Association of Machinists International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop Forgers, and Helpers International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, and Helpers International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International Brotherhood of Stationery Firemen and Oilers Sheet Metal Workers' International Association Switchmen's Union of North America

In 1926, the Railway Labor Executives' Association was founded, a broader organization within which the president of the RED had a single vote.Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1972, p. 4.

In 1955, the department became part of the new AFL-CIO. It was dissolved in 1980. In 1990, a new Transportation Trades Department was founded.Abramson, Howard S. "AFL-CIO Creates Transport Trades Unit." Journal of Commerce. November 17, 1989.

Presidents 1908: Henry B. Perham 1912: Arthur O. Wharton 1922: Bert M. Jewell 1946: Fred N. Aten 1961: Michael Fox 1969: James E. Yost

References