advertisement

---

Yesterday, officials from the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) and United Transportation Union (UTU) resumed bargaining talks over pay rates, and work rules and conditions for 40,000 train and engine-service workers.

The parties returned to the bargaining table per a National Mediation Board (NMB) order, UTU officials said in a prepared statement. A federal mediator prompted the talks.

Negotiations stalled in mid-March after a dispute arose over local crew consist agreements and a repeal of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).

Officials from the NCCC — which bargains for 32 U.S. railroads, including all the Class Is — and union agreed to discuss issues other than the agreements and FELA repeal while a federal court considers UTU’s petition to prevent collective bargaining over the issues. Both parties also agreed to schedule future bargaining sessions in August, September, October and November.