Yardmaster Department

The UTU Yardmaster Department represents approximately 2600 members in thirteen (13) yardmaster locals working under forty-three (43) contracts. The contracts held by the committees represented by the Yardmaster Department cover employees working on Class I, Class II, and Class III railroads, as well as terminal companies, commuter lines and Amtrak. On some smaller shortline railroads, the UTU Yardmaster Department often represents clerical employees in addition to the yardmasters.

The centralization of many carriers' dispatching and clerical forces has increased the responsibilities shouldered by yardmasters and clerks, a development reflected in increasing responsibilities for the Yardmaster Department.

A yardmaster's duties include general supervision of all employees in yard service at their terminal locations, and responsibility for expediting the safe and on-time movement of freight through the terminal.

Besides guaranteeing that yard and road crews are at the proper place, performing duties in an appropriate and timely manner, yardmasters also ensure the efficient handling of yard work and the prompt movement of cars, placing and pulling cars in a manner consistent with the customers' needs.

The yardmaster directly supervises employees engaged in the movement of inbound and outbound train crews and supervises yard crews engaged in the switching, blocking, and classification of cars and trains.

The carriers' requirements of continuing education and computer literacy for yardmasters and clerks presents an ongoing challenge met consistently and professionally by highly skilled and motivated UTU members.