May 01, 2025
Kansas City, Missouri - The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) has filed an application with the National Mediation Board (NMB) to conduct a representational election for the Train Dispatchers from Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DM&E) in Kansas City, Missouri. Once the NMB’s initial review is complete, DM&E Train Dispatchers will have the opportunity to take part in a final, binding vote to elect ATDA as its bargaining representative.
Many of the DM&E Train Dispatchers worked alongside the Soo Line Train Dispatchers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of the DM&E in 2008. Following a subsequent merger with Kansas City Southern (KCS), the newly formed Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad (CPKC) consolidated the majority of its U.S. train dispatching operations into its new Kansas City, Missouri Operations Center in 2024. As a result, the non-represented DM&E Train Dispatchers began work alongside the former KCS and Soo Line dispatchers, each of which were already represented by ATDA prior to the merger. With DM&E Dispatchers now moving to obtain the benefits of representation for themselves, ATDA may soon represent all Train Dispatchers at the Kansas City Operations Center.
ATDA Vice President Brandon Denucci, who co-led the organizing drive with CPKC General Chairman Jesse Kottner, applauded the news, saying, “This effort rose from within the DM&E train dispatchers who had the courage to say, ‘Enough is enough!’ They recognize that the best opportunity they have to change their working conditions, pay, and benefits is to unite.” Vice President Denucci went on to thank General Chairman Kottner for his efforts, noting, “Jesse was a huge help in reaching this point. His commitment to providing hours of his own time to speak with those who had questions about organizing and what it means to be in a union undoubtedly made the difference.”
ATDA will continue to support the DME Dispatchers throughout this process and stand ready to welcome them in fraternal solidarity.
