 Wilson met with other section foreman to discuss mutual problems of low wages, the hazards of their work, and the insecurity of their families.They decided to form, the Order of Railroad Trackmen to assist fellow railroad workers in times of sickness and financial trouble.Once an international union with over 350,000 members in the United States and Canada, automation, the rise of the trucking and airline industries, coupled with railroad mergers have depleted the ranks of the BMWED to under 40,000 members.