Railway maintenance of way workers were responsible for keeping railway tracks in good running order. Track foremen had begun to organize in the United States as early as 1891. The forerunner of this union was the Brotherhood of Railway Trackmen of America.
United Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes and Railway Shop Laborers official charter of incorporation with seal of Subordinate Lodge Number 1645.The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge on17 April 1919 and signed by two officers of that Lodge, the Grand Secretary-Treasurer and the Grand President. The Lodge was affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Trades and Labor Congress of Canada. The charter was granted to ten individuals holding the ranks of: President, Vice-president, Past-president, Conductor, Chaplain, Warden, Conductor and Sentinel.