James Conner

James Conner is a dedicated locomotive engineer with Norfolk Southern Railway’s Southern Lines, based in the Columbus, Georgia area. For more than 14 years, he has been a passionate champion and proven leader for his fellow rail workers in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. As a committed member of BLET Division 409 in Columbus, Georgia, Conner took over as Local Chairman in January 2012. Since then, he has provided steady, hands-on leadership, consistently hosting monthly division meetings—typically on the second Monday of each month at Old Town Buffet in Columbus, GA—to ensure every member’s voice is heard and their issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

His commitment reaches far beyond the local level. Conner has proudly represented Division 409 as a delegate to national BLET conventions, helping shape the policies and strategies that protect locomotive engineers and trainmen nationwide. Within the powerful Norfolk Southern-Southern Lines General Committee of Adjustment 810, which represents more than 4,000 active and retired members across 40 local divisions in 15 states, Conner has earned successive leadership roles through member elections. He was elected 5th Vice General Chairman and Trustee following the 2020 quadrennial meeting, and advanced to 3rd Vice General Chairman in the 2024 reelection under General Chairman Jerry G. Sturdivant. In these key positions, he expertly manages complex labor relations, resolves grievances, and negotiates strong contracts specific to Norfolk Southern operations—delivering tangible wins in wages, safety, working conditions, and job security.

When you join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, you gain the strongest possible representation backed by experienced leaders like James Conner. With over 14 years of proven service at both the local and general committee levels, Conner and the entire BLET team live the railroad life every day and fight at every level of the company and industry to protect your career. Don’t settle for anything less—choose the BLET, the only organization with the power, expertise, and dedicated local-to-national leadership to truly fight for and advance the rights of locomotive engineers and trainmen like you.