Caucus Platform

We are a group of railroad maintenance of way workers, railroad maintenance of way retirees, and supporters of railroad maintenance of way workers.  Our first task is to educate, unite, and empower rank & file members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. We work to invigorate, democratize and turn the BMWED-IBT into a member-run fighting union. We work to make the BMWED-IBT an organization that stands up to the increasingly bold forms of harassment, disregard, and greed of the railroad carriers and their Wall Street owners. We work to create an organization that fights for the immediate needs of its members and the common good of the American public for whom our labor serves.    To that end, RFU establishes a platform that serves as the basis of our work. 

The focus of the caucus is to respond to and represent the voice of the members.

All actions, elections and finances shall be open to all members for inspection and as such are open to public debate and discussion within the membership 

Since the beginning of the rail industry rail workers, especially maintenance of way workers have been subjected to harsh working conditions without regards to our basic human needs for good health, stable family life, and right to enjoy life itself. The time has come for good contracts that provide for reasonable vacation time, adequate paid sick days, respectful work schedules, cost of living adjustments, and more. 

RFU vows to fight racism in all its forms. RFU is committed to not only including all traditionally marginalized groups in society but actively working to raise these voices up. RFU rejects any form of discrimination including, but not limited to, racism, sexism, and sexual orientation.    RFU is committed to increasing participation and leadership of women, and people of color within our union. RFU is committed to making sure our contracts with the carriers address the critical needs of BMWED-IBT women and members of color. This includes, but is not limited to securing paid pregnancy and parental leave, and establishing a uniformed and fair training process for all workers. 

95% of the rail industry is unionized, but we do not work in solidarity as we should. The RFU believes that all rail craft unity is necessary and requires this to be advanced by the leadership of the BMWED-IBT, as well as the BLET, IBT, and other rail unions. 

Greater Participation, Integration, and Recognition of BMWED Teamsters and our issues within the broader IBT.