BLET ratifies pact with Cedar River Railroad

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has ratified a new agreement with the Cedar River Railroad, a CN subsidiary.

The contract, which BLET members ratified July 30, governs the railroad's six locomotive engineers. It expires Dec. 31, 2019, according to a BLET press release.

The agreement provides pay dating to Jan. 1, 2015, and also includes a 3 percent general wage increase effective Jan. 1, 2019. The total compounded pay increase over the life of the agreement is 13.14 percent.

Additionally, the contract provides the same health and welfare plan as BLET members covered by the National Agreement, with monthly payments frozen at $228.89. There are no work rule changes in the contract, BLET officials said.

With its headquarters in Waterloo, Iowa, the Cedar River Railroad has connections with Union Pacific Railroad; Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad; and the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad.