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A majority of New England Central Railroad Inc.'s (NECR) train and engine-service workers recently chose the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Teamsters Rail Conference as their collective bargaining representative. The workers voted 20-17 in favor of BLET — which now has organized 11 short lines — over the United Transportation Union, according to the National Mediation Board.

"We will now begin the process of negotiating a new contract with management to improve the wages, benefits, and standard of living for New England Central's train and engine service employees," said BLET National President Don Hahs in a prepared statement.

Owned by RailAmerica Inc., the 329-mile NECR operates a line between East Alburgh, Vt., and New London, Conn., and moves iron, steel, grain, lumber, wood, pulp and paper products.

Since 2001, BLET has organized the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Co., Louisville & Indiana Railroad Co., Portland & Western Railroad Inc., Great Western Railway of Colorado L.L.C., St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railway Co., Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corp., Utah Railway Co., Indiana Southern Railroad, The Texas Mexican Railway Co., and New York & Atlantic Railway Co.