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Earlier this week, National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) and United Transportation Union (UTU) officials held an initial bargaining session to negotiate changes to their national contract.

The parties reviewed each other's Section 6 notices — a Railway Labor Act-mandated method for carriers and unions to exchange contract demands. Under the act, contracts between railroads and unions remain in force until changes are negotiated rather than expire.

Railroads are required to pay workers cost-of-living allowances (COLA) while negotiations progress. If no agreement is reached, the first COLA payment is due July 1.

NCCC and UTU officials plan to hold a second bargaining session in early March. The NCCC bargains for 30 U.S. railroads, including the five Class Is.