BLET ratifies CN-Wisconsin Central contract

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members have ratified a new two-year agreement with CN's Wisconsin Central subsidiary.

The contract governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for more than 600 members. It calls for a 2.5 percent general wage increase retroactive to Jan. 1,  2018, and a 3 percent general wage increase effective Jan. 1, 2019, BLET officials said in a press release.

The settlement is patterned after the recently ratified national agreement settlement reached by the Coordinated Bargaining Group, which included BLET. That agreement protects all work rules and freezes monthly health care contributions at current levels. It becomes amendable on Jan. 1, 2020.

The BLET organized the Wisconsin Central in 1997. CN purchased the railroad in 2001.