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On Friday, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak. The final ballot tally indicated 77.5 percent voted in favor of the pact.

The five-year agreement includes 10 general wage increases totaling 14 percent, compounding to 15 percent, over the life of the contract. The contract runs through Jan. 1, 2015, with retroactive pay to July 1, 2010, BLET officials said in a prepared statement.

Also under the contract, employee cost-sharing amounts for health and welfare coverage is capped at $181.62 per month as of July 1, 2011, $201 as of July 1, 2012, and $230 as of July 1, 2013. In addition, vision care and medical coverage is extended up to age 26 for eligible dependents.

The contract covers more than 1,400 locomotive engineers who operate Amtrak passenger and commuter trains.