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This morning, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) and American Train Dispatchers Association announced their members ratified national agreements with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC). The two unions represent more than 8,600 rail workers.

The BRS' six-year agreement resolves several issues, such as wages and health and welfare benefits, BRS officials said in a prepared statement. The pact also includes an expansion of a Managed Medical Care Program, health insurance cost containment provisions and an adjustment to the ratio of supplemental sickness benefits.

“Although some healthcare costs have been shifted to the employees, there are no work rule changes and our healthcare plan is still one of the best, and most affordable, in the country,” said BRS President W. Dan Pickett.

The ratification of the pact follows more than two years of “difficult negotiations” between the union and NCCC, he said.

Now, contracts have been ratified by 12 of the 13 unions involved in national bargaining, covering more than 107,000 rail workers. The only union without a settlement — the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division — previously agreed with the NCCC to extend a “cooling off” period, which expires on Feb. 8.