Amtrak workers ratify five-year contract

Amtrak employees represented by the SMART Transportation Division have ratified a five-year agreement with the railroad that covers 2,300 conductors, assistant conductors, yardmasters and dining car stewards, according to the United Transportation Union.

The agreement is retroactive to 2010 and includes new rates of pay that should become effective within 30 to 45 days, Amtrak and union officials said in a press release. Payment of retroactive wages will be made about 60 days after the wage rates take effect, they said.

The agreement was passed by nearly 60 percent of eligible train-service members who voted and by 86 percent of eligible yardmasters who voted.