September 15, 2025
Jacksonville, Florida – On September 15, 2025, Class-I Railroad CSX agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) over the Carrier’s failure to comply with two arbitration awards. In both cases, Claimants had been dismissed by CSX, until the Public Law Board ruled that they were entitled to both reinstatement and compensation for time out of service (less any outside earnings).
CSX, however, refused to make payments for the lost earnings, arguing that the two employees did not make adequate attempts to mitigate the Carrier’s liability by earning wages while dismissed. In May of this year, ATDA responded by filing suit for enforcement of the awards. Today, a settlement was reached which includes full payment to the two claimants as originally awarded by the Board.
President Ed Dowell stated, “CSX thought they could unilaterally change the rules and impose an unjust hardship on two of our members. Certainly, they never expected ATDA to file a lawsuit. However, that’s exactly what we did. In just over 4 months after filing the lawsuit, without ever having to enter a courtroom, as a testament to the strength of our case, we reached a full settlement. ATDA will not stand by and let any railroad do whatever they want.”
Regarding the suit and settlement, ATDA Vice President Colin Thurman commented, “These members undoubtably endured many hardships. There were no grounds for the dismissals, as was evident from the outcome in arbitration. Also, there was no ground for withholding backpay, which only served to make these members endure an additional, unjust punishment. I’d like to thank President Dowell for his leadership and work in finding a successful legal remedy.”
