SouthernWorldwide.com – A recent report from the American Accountability Foundation (AAF) has brought significant scrutiny upon the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED-IBT), one of the nation’s largest rail unions. The watchdog group alleges that union leadership has diverted funds towards Democratic causes, which have historically opposed policies and initiatives of the Trump administration. This alleged financial support is framed as a “stunning betrayal” of the union’s members who identify with the MAGA agenda.
The report specifically points to the BMWED-IBT’s leadership, representing 37,000 members, and accuses them of utilizing union resources to champion Democratic priorities. The AAF’s findings suggest a clear partisan alignment that stands in contrast to the political leanings of a substantial portion of the union’s membership.
According to the AAF report, the leadership’s progressive stance is seen as a profound disservice to the many working-class members who support former President Trump and his MAGA movement. The report explicitly states that the union’s one-sided partisanship is evident in its opposition to Trump’s agenda and its broad endorsement of Democratic initiatives.
The report further details the union’s “leftward bent” by referencing past criticisms of the Trump administration. These criticisms included claims that Trump was dismantling Obama’s legacy and that his deregulation efforts posed significant risks. Such statements, according to the AAF, alienated members who supported Trump’s policies.
In addition to political rhetoric, the report highlights the union’s financial support for various left-leaning causes. These include backing for Black Lives Matter, the promotion of abortion access, and advocacy for universal healthcare. Conversely, the union is noted for opposing Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and for maintaining connections with Democratic organizations and prominent Democratic figures, such as Representatives Jesús “Chuy” García and Dina Titus.
The AAF emphasizes that the union’s leaders have demonstrated a “stunning betrayal” by disregarding the preferences of their large MAGA-supporting membership. This situation underscores a growing chasm between the leadership of organized labor and the sentiments of many “rank-and-file” union members who may hold different political views.
The report underscores that while the support for the Trump-Vance agenda among industrial union members has been widely documented, this shift appears to have not yet registered with the leadership of the BMWED-IBT. This is particularly noteworthy given that many of its dues-paying members have consistently voted for President Trump.
Beyond the union’s political affiliations, the AAF’s investigation delved into the BMWED-IBT’s financial practices. The report scrutinizes how union funds are being allocated and questions the transparency and beneficiaries of these expenditures.
The report alleges that the union has channeled over $441,098 to various “left-wing” organizations. Among these beneficiaries are the Center for American Progress, a prominent progressive think tank, and the National Democratic Club, which received more than $100,000 across several years. The National Teamsters Hispanic Caucus is also listed as a recipient.
Both the National Democratic Club and the National Teamsters Hispanic Caucus are identified in the report for their known opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. This connection further fuels the narrative of the union’s leadership aligning with causes that may be at odds with the views of its MAGA-leaning members.
The report also examines the Teamsters’ Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education (D.R.I.V.E.) PAC. The BMWED-IBT became involved with this PAC after its own political action committee merged into it in 2004. The D.R.I.V.E. PAC, according to the report, has overwhelmingly favored Democrats in its political spending, allocating approximately $13.76 million to Democratic Party committees compared to a mere $729,846 to Republican committees.
Recent polling data indicates a significant segment of labor union members, including those in unions like the BMWED-IBT, express support for Trump. For instance, internal Teamster polling suggests a 60/40 split in favor of Trump. Furthermore, exit polling from the 2024 election revealed that working-class voters without a college degree favored Trump over Harris by a 56% to 42% margin.
In addition to its political associations, the report criticizes what it describes as “massive wasteful spending” by the union’s leadership. It claims that approximately two-thirds of headquarters employees earned six-figure salaries in 2024, a stark contrast to the average BMWED-IBT member’s annual earnings of $61,692.
The report specifies that Union President Tony D. Cardwell earned $233,492 and Secretary-Treasurer Dale Bogart earned $206,709 in 2024. Members of BMWED-IBT Local Lodge 1020, a local union, reportedly pay nearly $100 per month in dues, a portion of which subsidizes these leadership salaries.
Furthermore, the AAF alleges that the BMWED-IBT engaged in substantial spending from 2017 to 2024, totaling over $18 million. This expenditure includes $7.25 million on hotels and conferences, $5.44 million on legal fees, $2.71 million on promotional items and merchandise, and $2.11 million on travel.
Notably, the union allegedly spent $2.33 million at casinos and resorts during the same period. A significant payment of $522,281 was made to Caesars Entertainment in 2023. The report argues that such spending patterns indicate a misplacement of leadership priorities, suggesting that the focus is not on the welfare of the membership.
The AAF concludes that the BMWE Union is “completely out of touch with its members” and is actively working against the interests of the Trump-supporting workers it purports to represent.
In response to the report’s allegations, BMWED-IBT President Tony D. Cardwell stated that since assuming leadership in 2022, the union has operated with a budget surplus. He emphasized that achieving fiscal responsibility and diligent stewardship of member funds has been a top priority and that this goal is being met.
Cardwell asserted that the union’s efforts on Capitol Hill and in statehouses nationwide are dedicated to securing the best policies and protections for its members. He clarified that donations are made to lawmakers from both parties who support railroad workers, emphasizing that party affiliation is secondary to support for working railroaders.
He further clarified that no dues dollars are allocated to political lobbying. Any contributions to politicians, he explained, come from the Teamster PAC, which is voluntarily funded. Cardwell stressed the importance of having a voice in the political arena and achieving optimal policies and legislation for members through impartial means.
Despite its historical ties to Democratic causes, the BMWED-IBT has reportedly collaborated with Republicans on significant rail safety legislation. An example cited is Senator Josh Hawley’s introduction of the Secure Tracks Act, which mandates both human and automated track inspections by railroad companies.
Cardwell stated that the union has experienced increased Republican support on Capitol Hill and that its relationship with former President Donald Trump has strengthened. He also noted that Vice President JD Vance had supported rail safety legislation during his tenure as a U.S. Senator representing Ohio.
This report follows a similar investigation released earlier this year by the AAF concerning the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). That report also accused the BLET’s leadership of promoting Democratic policies and candidates, despite data suggesting a membership base that largely supports the president.
