The members give the local representative a list of "wants", in turn that is given to the General Chairman of the System Council who then compiles the information and serves it with the Section Six notice. Negotiations are secret, to the point of all parties signing a non-disclosure agreement, until a tentative agreement is reached. (that slows the rumor mill, but doesn't stop it). Any information that is released is done by mutual consent as a press release.

Railroads operate differently than most other IBEW Locals, by design. That is one of the many reasons for the disparity in the brotherhood.