Unions ratify 16 collective agreements, CPKC says

CPKC yesterday announced that 16 tentative collective bargaining agreements reached in recent weeks with various rail labor unions in the United States have been ratified.

The new five-year agreements provide increased wages to about 700 workers in Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin, CPKC officials said in a press release.

Five pacts were ratified by the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen covering 231 carmen on the Delaware & Hudson, Soo Line, Kansas City Southern, MidSouth, SouthRail and TexMex properties; and five others were ratified by the Transportation Communications Union and American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association covering 108 clerks, maintenance workers and mechanical/engineering supervisory employees on the Delaware & Hudson, Soo Line and Kansas City Southern properties. 

In addition, an agreement ratified by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen covers 300 locomotive engineers on the Soo Line property operating in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Ratifications also were carried out by the Soo Line Locomotive and Car Foreman’s Association, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Blacksmiths, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Mechanical Department, and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers.

"With these agreements reached at the bargaining table and now ratified, we remain focused on serving our customers as we safely and efficiently move American business and contribute to economic growth,” said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel.

Two tentative five-year agreements reached in December with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers covering 76 electricians remain subject to ratification.