Tim Secord, canadian legislative director of the United Transportation Union, was born April 8, 1957, in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Secord began his railroading career as a trainman/yardman on Canadian National Railways in June 1976. He became an engine-service brakemen in June 1979.

After graduating from the Labour College of Canada in 1987, Secord has been actively involved with the Canadian Labour Congress and the Workers' Health and Safety Centre. He is the only UTU member in Canada to have been certified by the WHSC as a health and safety coordinator and was instrumental in promoting employee-driven, employer-paid, health and safety education.  Secord also ensures delivery of all types of quality participant centred education to the membership in Canada each year.

Since 1983, Secord has held the positions of local secretary/treasurer, president, delegate and legislative representative of Local 537 in Niagara Falls. In 1991, he was elected to the position of alternate canadian Legislative Director. At the UTU's 1995 International Convention, Secord was elected to the office of canadian legislative director and was re-elected to that position in 1999 and 2003 by acclamation.

In 1991, Secord was seconded to the PEI Department of Labour to train all the H&S instructors in the province of Prince Edward Island in order to open a Workers’ Health and Safety Centre there.  Secord is also the only remaining member of the former UTU Canada Board of Directors and is currently the longest serving Canadian officer on the UTU Board of Directors.  In 1995 Secord ensured the protection of striking UTU members through his interventions in the Senate of Canada.  Since 1998, Secord has continued to effect savings in the National office through innovative measures. In 2000, Secord was instrumental in steering the way clear for increased autonomy of the provincial legislative boards and a heightening of their profile within the community.

In addition to fulfilling his duties as canadian legislative director, Secord has sat on the Minister's Advisory Council for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, the Board of Directors of the National Passenger Motor Carrier’s Council and has been active in the development of labour education programs for the Canadian Labour Congress and the Workers' Health and Safety Centre.   Secord is the Labour representative on the Railway Safety Consultative Committee (RSCC) Executive Council and is the UTU representative on the RSCC itself.  Additionally, he is the only federally registered lobbyist in Canada for UTU.

Among his other activities, Secord has worked extensively with the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions in carrying UTU’s message to the United Nations in forums such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.  He is the only current UTU officer to have spoken in the UN General Assembly.  He is also the only UTU officer to have addressed the International Railway Safety Conference that is held in different countries around the globe each year. 

Secord served as a gunner attached to the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in CFB Petawawa during 1973-1975 and is an active member of Masonic Lodge AF & AM #561.

Secord and his wife, Rosanne (a former railroader), have three children and reside in Ottawa, Ontario.