Local division officers split their duties into three distinct lanes: Division Business, Agreement Enforcement, and Legislation/Safety. Members should bring issues and evidence to the correct officer based on the specific lane the issue falls under.
President & Secretary-Treasurer
The President runs division meetings, maintains order, and handles general division business with the membership. The Secretary-Treasurer acts as the recordkeeper and financial officer, handling dues, receipts, meeting minutes, and official paperwork.
Local Chairman & Vice LCs
The Local Chairman is responsible for day-to-day contract enforcement, claims, investigations, board/pool issues, and carrier disputes. Vice Local Chairmen act under the Local Chairman's direction.
Legislative Representative
Handles state/federal law, safety legislation, regulatory issues, and sanitation matters. This officer serves as the direct connection to the State Legislative Board.
Detailed Officer Responsibilities
Division President & Vice President
- The President presides over regular and special meetings, keeps the meeting moving under proper order, and coordinates official division business.
- Serves as the best first contact for meeting agendas, motions, and general member meeting processes.
- The Vice President assists the President and assumes all duties of the office when the President is absent.
Secretary-Treasurer
- Maintains true accounts of all funds received and deposits moneys in designated banks.
- Keeps the books clean regarding dues, receipts, disbursements, and reports.
- Best first contact for answering membership status, dues concerns, meeting notices, and record requests.
Local Chairman
- Handles initial local carrier disputes and questions to management on agreement violations before escalation.
- Manages claims (runarounds, STAS, pool/board regulation, deadheads, held-away, lodging) and investigation/discipline preparation.
- When differences cannot be satisfactorily adjusted with local officials, the Local Chairman sends the records to the General Committee of Adjustment (GCA).
Legislative Representative
- Responsible for the safety and sanitation of the working environment and political education for members.
- Best first contact for two-person crew rules, train length, grade crossing safety, crew van, and regulatory concerns.
- Not the first stop for routine pay claims unless a law or regulation is also involved.
Trustees
- Perform a monthly audit of the division's books and submit an electronic report to the National Secretary-Treasurer.
Guide & Chaplain
- The Guide introduces visiting members and conducts candidates.
- The Chaplain assists in the opening and closing exercises of the division and performs duties on public occasions.
Issue Escalation & Routing Guide
A clean record protects the member and makes the officer's job easier. When bringing an issue forward, gather the facts first (date, time, location, train ID, call time, tie-up time), pick the correct lane, and attach proof (screenshots, emails, tickets, lineups). Escalate only after local facts are gathered.
| Type of Issue | First Stop (Local Division) | Escalates To |
|---|---|---|
| Pay claim or agreement violation | Local Chairman | General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) |
| Investigation or discipline | Local Chairman | General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) |
| Safety, law, or regulation | Legislative Representative | State Chairman / Regulatory Board (FRA, DOT) |
| Dues, records, or minutes | Secretary-Treasurer | President (as needed) |
| Meeting agenda or motions | President | Division vote / National Division |
| Issue with a member or officer | Written complaint to Secretary-Treasurer (or President if S/T is involved) | Local Executive Committee |