Brightline Attendants in Orlando Vote to Unionize, Marking a Historic Move

Brightline onboard workers have voted to unionize, marking a significant milestone for railroad workers in the U.S.

Brightline Attendants in Orlando Vote to Unionize, Marking a Historic Move
Brightline Attendants in Orlando Vote to Unionize, Marking a Historic Move

Orlando: Brightline’s onboard workers just made a big move. They voted to join the Transport Workers Union of America. This is a huge deal, as it’s the largest group of railroad workers to unionize in over 20 years.

About 100 attendants who serve passengers on the Miami to Orlando route participated in the vote. They provide food and drinks during the trip. The results showed a strong preference for union representation, with around two-thirds voting in favor.

The union, which represents over 155,000 workers in various sectors, will now work with Brightline employees to set up a negotiating committee. They’ll start drafting a contract to address issues like sick leave, discipline, and work schedules.

Union president John Samuelsen called it a major victory, especially since there was an aggressive anti-union campaign. He mentioned that the Brightline president even tried to intimidate workers by calling them at home, but it backfired.

Workers had been looking to unionize since 2024. Brightline brought in a law firm known for being anti-union, which the TWU claims misled workers about union dues and pay raises.

Brightline’s president, Patrick Goddard, expressed disappointment over the election results, noting that only about half of the onboard staff voted, and a third supported the union.

Looking ahead, Brightline plans to launch a new line connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. However, its Florida operations have faced criticism due to accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles.

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