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BMWED Member Breaks New Ground
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division’s (BMWED) Burlington System Division made history on July 11, 2012, when delegates gathered for the quadrennial convention elected the first General Chairwoman. Staci Moody-Gilbert is the first woman within the BMWED to rise to that position.
While railroads have historically been reluctant to hire women into railroad positions, particularly the maintenance of way department, many talented BMWED women are proving railroading is not just for men. Gilbert is one of those women.
“This is the first time in the 125-year history of the BMWED that a female has been elected to this position,” Moody-Gilbert said. “Fortunately I have a lot of great mentors in the union with experience they are generously sharing. I am very humbled to have been elected to this position.”
Representing Members
After serving in the U. S. Navy for seven years, Gilbert went to work for the former Burlington Northern Railroad, now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). Gilbert began as a Track Laborer on April 12, 1993, but quickly gained seniority in a number of positions in the Track Sub-department including: Machine Operator, Truck Driver, Welder Grinder, Welder Helper, Assistant Foreman, and Foreman. She also worked for a while in the Bridge and Building Sub-department as a B&B Truck Driver, 2nd Class B&B Mechanic, and 1st Class B&B Mechanic.
Gilbert began her career with the BMWED in 2005 when she was appointed to the position of Assistant to the General Chairman, and later served as the Burlington System Division's Claims and Grievance Coordinator. Proving her ability and talent for representing the membership, she was rewarded in 2010 when the members elected her to serve as the Vice General Chairwoman for the Central Region. That same year she was also elected to serve as Vice Chairwoman for the BMWED Northwest Region Association, a position she held until 2012, when she became the Association's Secretary-Treasurer. She also serves as the Secretary-Treasurer for Local Lodge 1214 in Hastings, Nebraska.
“For several years the BMWED has been working to actively recruit members who are interested in serving the union in an official capacity,” said Freddie Simpson, President of the BMWED and International Vice President of the Teamsters Union. “Staci is an excellent example of someone who has worked her way up. We are pleased she has made this important commitment to the union.”
Recently consolidated into one larger entity, the Burlington System division, where Moody-Gilbert is Chairwoman, covers six different railroads in 14 states and counts more than 2,600 men and women as members. Contract negotiations for some of the railroads will begin next spring.
“Because my father was a union member, I’ve understood the value of a collective bargaining agreement,” Moody-Gilbert said. “I look forward to the challenges ahead representing our members at the bargaining table.”