The former Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen pioneered the organization of interstate bus operators, and then aggressively expanded its coverage by offering union protection to many commuter-charter, interstate, intrastate, city and suburban bus lines. In later years, the Bus Department expanded to include many Canadian bus members.

In 1939 a Bus Department was established in the International, and in 1960 a Vice President was assigned to head the department. At the 1964 convention, the Bus Department elected its first Alternate Vice-President, and its second Alternate Vice-President was added at the 1983 convention.

The United Transportation Union’s Bus Department has shown steady growth and achievement since its beginning. This has been possible because of labor union spirit and the dedication of bus department members and officers with the support of the International. Many of our members have brought recognition and prestige to the union through their achievements in committee work, legislative activity and in various fields of public life.

The Bus Department now represents over 7,500 members with thirty-seven (37) contracts. Two (2) bus locals are with our Canadian members. There are twenty-one (21) solid bus locals in the United States and three (3) are in combined bus-rail locals. In Canada there is one (1) solid bus local and one (1) combined bus-rail local. Several bus locals provide light-rail systems, trolley and high-speed line service operated by Bus department members. Our Bus Department also represents school bus operators, mechanics, office and clerical personnel, dispatchers and operations personnel.

Our predecessors in the Bus Department of the United Transportation Union proudly built a strong foundation. We must continue to help those who need representation, and build on that foundation. We can accomplish that goal with the continued active support, dedication and participation of our members.

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Copyright © 1997 United Transportation Union
Last modified: May 09, 2001