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Organized in Detroit, Michigan in 1863, the Brotherhood of Footboard included railroad workers such as machinists and firemen, but in 1864 the organization would only include locomotive engineers. The reformed Grand International Division of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (B.L.E.) functioned as a fraternal and labor organization, serving as representatives of locomotive engineers. Their goal then, as it is today, was to improve wages, working conditions, and benefits of railroad employees.
By 1887, the B.L.E. had 372 divisions and over 25,000 members. Wives of engineer members of the B.L.E. formed the Grand International Auxiliary (G.I.A.) in 1887. The G.I.A. functioned as a social group for wives of operating engineers. The ladies also performed charitable service such as feeding operators when they were on strike and providing financial and other assistance to widows and children of deceased railroad engineers.
The Gilbert A. McLean Division 108 of the G.I.A. in Salt Lake City, Utah was formed 15 September 1891. The collection is mostly composed of those materials in the later years of the organization, but two membership books are the earliest materials in the collection. Because of reduced membership and small funds, the Salt Lake City-based ladies' auxiliary closed in 1991.
The collection includes documents of the Grand International Auxiliary, Gilbert A. McLean Division 108, of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Records, 1898-1991, Utah State Historical Society.
Gift of Esther H. Underwood, 10 March 2000.
The Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Records are the physical property of the Utah Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah. Literary rights, including copyright, may belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns. Please contact the Historical Society for information regarding specific use of this collection.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Website, available at