Paducah and Louisville Railway trainmen approve new contract

SMART Transportation Division-represented trainmen employed by Paducah and Louisville Railway have ratified a new five-year agreement, the union announced yesterday on its website.

The agreement calls for wage increases on Jan. 1, 2014, and each year through 2018, for a 16 percent cumulative increase.

The contract also provides full back pay, an increase in certification and meal allowances, increases in 401k contributions and a cap on health and welfare contributions over the life of the agreement.

Additionally, the agreement establishes call windows for regular assignments, preserves cost of living adjustments and improves bereavement and personal leave provisions, according to the announcement.