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Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen members recently ratified their first-ever collective agreement with the Huron & Eastern Railroad. The short line's workers previously weren't represented.

The four-year contract covers 25 members and provides general wage increases of 2 percent annually. The pact also contains a "work safe" provision that allows workers to earn quarterly bonuses by avoiding workplace injuries, provides an assigned day off per week, and establishes work rules and a seniority system.

The 174-mile Huron & Eastern is owned by RailAmerica Inc. In 2004, the short-line holding company purchased the Central Michigan Railway and combined it with the Huron & Eastern, creating a combined railroad operating 250 miles of track. The railroad interchanges with Canadian National Railway Co., Saginaw Bay Southern, Lake State Railway and Great Lakes Central Railway.