Daniel E. Johnson
General Secretary and Treasurer

Daniel E. Johnson, general secretary and treasurer of the United Transportation Union, was born August 5, 1947, in Tucson, Arizona.

Johnson began his career in 1966 as a brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was promoted to conductor in 1970.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona in 1969 and attended graduate school there from 1969 to 1970.

He joined the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen Lodge 460, now UTU Local 807 at Tucson, Arizona, in June 1966, and served as vice local chairperson from 1969 to 1972 and local chairperson from 1973 to 1980. He also served as local legislative representative from 1971 to 1980, local delegate in 1975 and 1979, and chairperson of the Arizona State Legislative Board from 1975 to 1983. Johnson was elected vice general chairperson in 1981 and served as general chairperson from 1990 to 1997.

He was elected alternate vice president-west in 1995, and became vice president in June 1997. He was re-elected to that post at the 1999 UTU convention and was elevated to the position of General Secretary and Treasurer in 2001. In 2003, Johnson was re-elected to the office of general secretary and treasurer by acclamation.

Johnson also chaired the Southwest General Chairperson's Association from 1991 to 1996, the Western General Chairperson's Association from 1996 to 1997, and was a member of the UTU/BLE Merger Committee in 1993. A member of the UTU's National Negotiating Committee in 1995 and 1996, he continues to serve in that capacity and has been a member of the National Wage & Rules Panel since 1997.

Johnson was a founding trustee of the Railroad Retirement Investment Trust, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of $20 billion in Railroad Retirement assets. His term was completed January 31, 2004.

Johnson is active in the Masonic Lodge and he and his wife Jan reside in Lincoln, California.