NCFO becomes sixth union to ratify rail labor pact

Members of the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, SEIU 32BJ (NCFO) voted to ratify a tentative three-year labor agreement with the nation’s freight railroads, the union announced yesterday.

The vote was passed with a 58.7% margin in favor of the negotiated contract, NCFO officials said in a press release.

"The agreement includes the highest wage increase in 48 years, five annual service recognition payments, an additional paid day off and enhanced autism health-care benefits — something [we've] been fighting for [for] over 25 years," said NCFO President Dean Devita.

"We also increased the maximum hearing benefit from $600 to $2,000. Members will receive a 22% wage increase [and] receive retroactive pay within 60 days," he added.

The terms of the agreement were not negotiated at the bargaining table, but were recommended by the Presidential Emergency Board No. 250, Devita noted.

"Besides the strong wage increases and the increase in our health insurance, many members of the NCFO are disappointed with the terms of the agreement. I strongly agree with them," he said. "Quality-of-life issues after the COVID-19 crisis [are] extremely important. Sick leave and time off to visit medical practitioners are more important today than it was 48 years ago. Although the agreement is finalized, the NCFO will continue to work on this and many other issues."

NCFO is the sixth union to ratify an agreement to resolve the current national bargaining round with the railroads, which are represented in negotiations by the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC).

Tentative agreements with five other labor organizations have yet to be ratified.