IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed longtime TCU/IAM leader Brian Shanahan as IAM Railroad Coordinator, effective March 1, 2024. Shanahan, who previously served as a TCU/IAM National Vice President, was first initiated into the union as a clerk on METRA (Northeast Illinois Commuter Rail) in June 2008.
Shanahan was appointed to the Local 829 Board of Trustees as a Protective Committeeman in 2010 and elected Vice President of that Local in 2010. He became Local Chairman in January 2013 and was promoted to Assistant National Representative to Unit 155 in July 2016. He has served as TCU/IAM National Representative since 2017 and was elected as a TCU/IAM National Vice President effective Jan. 1, 2021, and re-elected at the 2022 TCU/IAM Convention.
“Brian has proven that he can excel at any opportunity that comes his way,” said Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “These are the leaders that myself and the Executive Council are looking to empower, so that our members get the best representation every step of the way.”
Shanahan’s tenure in TCU/IAM included overseeing clerical and intermodal workers at nearly a dozen rail carriers.
In 2021, Shanahan was tasked by TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea to spearhead the union’s Organizing Department. He’s currently a member of the Illinois High Speed Rail Commission and was also appointed to the Will Kankakee Regional Development Authority by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Shanahan will work with others in the IAM Rail Division to ensure continuity in union operations at all levels within the IAM Rail Division.
“Brian has gone above and beyond as a trustable leader, mentor, and true unionist when it comes to the IAM members he serves,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant.