Brightline’s union-busting lawsuit tossed by federal judge

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Brightline, the high-speed passenger rail, which aimed to prevent its onboard attendants in Florida from unionizing. Brightline argued it wasn’t a rail carrier and therefore exempt from National Mediation Board (NMB) oversight of the union election. However, the judge ruled that Brightline does qualify as a rail carrier, citing the Railway Labor Act and federal grant conditions, as the company has received millions in federal funds designated for rail carriers.

A majority of Brightline’s approximately 100 onboard attendants voted to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU) in January 2025. The TWU criticized Brightline’s “multi-year attempt to silence its workers,” and called for fair wages and benefits. Brightline had previously sent anti-union materials to workers and hired a law firm known for its anti-union practices.

The judge’s decision effectively supports the NMB, and the TWU is now urging Brightline to negotiate a fair contract. The union previously secured a favorable contract for workers at Orlando International Airport and hopes to achieve similar results for Brightline employees, who are the first at the company to unionize in a state with low union density.

(Source：Orlando Weekly)