BLET members ratify new Metra contract

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members who work for Metra in Chicago have voted to ratify a new contract.

The contract was ratified by 81% of voters and will affect 175 members. The seven-year agreement provides future and retroactive compounded wage increases of 18.3%, BLET officials said in a press release.

Employer contributions to the supplemental retirement program will be increased. In addition, rules regarding bereavement leave and training for new engineers were amended, and the certification allowance was incorporated into the basic rate of pay.

The contract next becomes amendable in 2026.