Federal judge dismisses Brightline lawsuit against union vote

A federal judge in the U.S. District Court of Southern Florida on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by passenger railroad Brightline against the National Mediation Board (NMB). The suit sought to invalidate a vote by the railroad's workers to join the Transportation Workers Union of America (TWU).

Brightline filed the lawsuit in December 2024, arguing that the company is not a rail carrier subject to the Railway Labor Act and that the NMB lacked jurisdiction to conduct a TWU election in January 2025.

Judge Darrin Gayles determined that the railroad's interpretation of the law was inaccurate and granted summary judgement to the NMB. TWU also joined the case against Brightline.

"This is a huge victory for the workers and the TWU," said TWU International President John Samuelsen in a press release. "The railroad’s multi-year attempt to silence its workers and deny them the right to negotiate for fair wages and benefits has been nothing short of shameful."

In an email, a Brightline representative provided the following comment on the ruling: "We are disappointed in and disagree with the court's decision. Brightline fully supports the right of our teammates to bargain collectively through union representation. We simply do not agree that the NMB has jurisdiction over Brightline."

The judge's ruling can be read here.