CSX reaches tentative pact with SMART-TD

CSX yesterday announced it has reached a tentative agreement with the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division to provide the union's trainmen and yardmasters with monthly advance payments on future wage adjustments anticipated in settlement of the 2020 round of national bargaining between rail labor unions and the Class Is.

The railroad also notified its other labor organization representatives that it intends to reach agreements to provide identical payments to all unionized employees, CSX officials said in a press release.

"This tentative agreement with SMART-TD is good for our employees, and we are committed to working with all of our labor unions to get this done for all union employees, who should not be left behind for months and months as we await the complex issues in national bargaining to be settled," said CSX President and CEO James Foote.

The agreement calls for monthly payments of up to $600 to be made from May through the end of the year, or until negotiated wage settlement is reached, whichever is earlier. The advance payments would be deducted from any retroactive or future pay increases that may be agreed upon at national bargaining, CSX officials said.

The 2020 round of bargaining began in November 2019, and the National Carriers' Conference Committee and the labor coalitions are in mediation before the National Mediation Board. It's unclear how long it may take for negotiations to conclude.

CSX has advised its labor unions and seeks their agreement to implement these advances, as required under the Railway Labor Act.