BLET-IC locomotive engineers ratify contract with CN

CN and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) announced yesterday that the 475 locomotive engineers on the Class I's Illinois Central (IC) property have ratified a new collective agreement.

The contract, which runs through Dec. 31, 2019, provides wage and benefit benefit improvements in each year of the agreement, CN officials said in a press release.

"CN is very pleased to have renewed the collective agreement with the locomotive engineers who work on the Illinois Central, which ensures uninterrupted service to our customers and the overall North American economy," said Mike Cory, CN executive vice president and chief operating officer.

The engineers voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract, said Clay Craddock, general chairman of the BLET-IC.

"This deal represents the collective efforts of the officers of the Brotherhood and of the company," he said.