BLET members ratify contract with B&E Railroad

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members last week ratified a new contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E).

The agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 workers. Members governed by the pact belong to either BLET Division 112 or Division 191.

The new contract includes a 13% hourly pay increase; accelerated progression of entry-level rates of pay so engineers receive the 100% rate much sooner; a 401(k) savings plan with a 100% company match up to 4% of an engineer’s yearly compensation; and a one-and-a-half times hourly pay rate on holidays, in addition to a holiday allowance.

Owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc., the 414-mile B&E took over on Sept. 1, 2023, as the operator of the Pan Am Southern LLC.