This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the Train Dispatchers (ATDA).
Name of Union: American Train Dispatchers Association
Mission: To represent employees in the nation’s railroad industry who safely and efficiently operate and dispatch trains and supply the electric power for those railroads that use electricity for train propulsion and signaling.
Current Leadership of Union: L. Ed Dowell serves as president of the ATDA. He began his railroad career in 1998, when he was hired as a CSX train dispatcher. He began his career as an ATDA representative when he was elected as first vice general chairman of the CSX System Committee in 2008. After CSX decentralized its Jacksonville, Florida, operations center, he was elected as vice general chairman/local chairman of the CSX Huntington Division. In 2011, Dowell became a national officer when he was elected as ATDA vice president. In 2015, he was elected to the position of national secretary-treasurer by the ATDA Joint Board. He served in the position for two additional terms. In 2023, Dowell was elected as ATDA president. Additionally, in January 2024, he was elected to serve as chairman of the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations.
Bill Sikes serves as secretary-treasurer, and ATDA has four vice presidents: Brandon Denucci, Kevin Porter, Barry Cross Jr. and Colin Thurman.
Members Work As: Train dispatchers, power supervisors, power directors, load dispatchers, train and engine service employees, drawbridge operators, and maintenance of way employees.
Industries Represented: The U.S. railroad industry
History: While earlier efforts had been made to organize train dispatchers, the organization that would be successful, the ATDA, was founded in 1917, and its first meeting was held in Spokane, Washington. The craft union came together to organize and represent people working as train dispatchers in the nation’s railroad industry. Eventually, the organization expanded to include assistant and chief train dispatchers and power supervisors and directors who supervise and manage the power supply for electrically powered trains. In the 1990s, other crafts such as train and engine crews, maintenance of way workers, and yardmasters joined the organization.
Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: In addition to representing and negotiating contracts for its members, the officers and staff of the ATDA promote legislation and regulatory improvements that benefit the safety and well-being of its members, the rail industry and every community where the railroad provides a vital service. The ATDA also serves on committees that manage and improve health care benefits and partners with organizations such as Union Plus to provide additional benefits to its members. Members can report software errors and safety issues. Branded gear is available in the ATDA’s online store. ATDA Strong profiles members. The ATDA offers scholarships for members and their families. It also publishes The Train Dispatcher newsletter.
Learn More: Website