BLET, CN-IC reach tentative contract

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with CN's former Illinois Central property, union officials announced last week.

Ballots, due May 30, have been mailed to BLET members employed by CN-IC who are eligible to vote, according to a BLET press release.

The tentative pact governs rates of pay and work rules for 600 BLET members who work in the locomotive engineers' craft.

In 1998, CN absorbed the Illinois Central Railroad in a $2.4 billion merger. CN-IC's major north-south route connects Chicago with New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.