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On July 1, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen/Teamsters Rail Conference (BLET) members working under a national agreement will receive a 2.5 percent wage increase. But along with the pay hike will come higher union dues.

The wage increase triggers a new BLET law provision allowing automatic dues hikes, according to a prepared statement. Commonly referred to as a "dues escalator clause," the provision ties dues increases to percentage wage increases under the national agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee.

Applying to all active BLET members regardless of their contract, the escalator clause increases dues 68 cents per month.

The clause was one of many changes to BLET's bylaws included in a merger agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that a majority of members ratified in December.