Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employe Division (BMWED) Comments on the Removal of Former CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Photo David C. Lester
NOVI, Mich. –– The BMWED has rejected some of the other Union remarks on the impact of Joe Hinrichs on labor-management relations at CSX.
In a statement released yesterday, the union said “Recent articles have painted Joe Hinrichs harmful to both rail labor and the railroad industry. We believe those portrayals are narrow, shortsighted, and ultimately serve as little more than disinformation. Our union has committed to being truthful and transparent with BMWED members, and that means giving credit where it is due.”
The statement goes on to say that “As a union, we seldom comment on leadership changes within Class I railroads. However, several developments during Joe Hinrichs’s tenure at CSX had a direct and positive impact on BMWED-represented members. Under his leadership, CSX became the first Class I carrier to voluntarily bargain and agree to provide paid sick leave to its unionized workforce.”
Continuing, BMWED said, “In 2023, BMWED approached Mr. Hinrichs to begin discussions about reaching an updated agreement before the expiration of the 2022 moratorium clause. Recognizing the dysfunction in the bargaining process under the Railway Labor Act, CEO Hinrichs directed his team to engage with Rail Labor ahead of the moratorium deadlines tied to the 2022 National Imposed Agreement. Those early discussions laid the foundation for the 2025 agreements now in effect, which have delivered tangible benefits to our members and their families.
“In his final CNBC interview, Joe Hinrichs spoke of CSX’s path to growth through expansion and by providing new services to customers. That vision, while unusual among today’s rail executives, may have been the source of tension within his own Board. We believe that growth through expanded service is consistent with the railroads’ common carrier obligation and, when done responsibly, creates opportunities for both the industry and its workforce.
“That said, our union’s mission remains unchanged: to hold carriers accountable for investing in their infrastructure, honoring their commitments to employees, and prioritizing safety above short-term profits. We often disagreed with Mr. Hinrichs on core issues that impact our members on the track, and those disagreements will continue with any new leadership that fails to put workers and safety first.
“We hope CSX’s next chapter builds on the gains achieved for workers and focuses on true service growth; growth that benefits customers, strengthens the industry, and respects the BMWED-represented workers who make it possible.”
