advertisement

---

Several major U.S. freight railroads have reached a collective bargaining agreement with a rail labor coalition.

Yesterday, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) — which represents more than 30 railroads, including Union Pacific Railroad, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, BNSF Railway Co. and Kansas City Southern — agreed on a tentative national contract with the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC). The five-year agreement, which still has to be ratified by members of the coalition’s seven unions, includes wage increases and ensures controls on health care co-payments, according to RLBC.

“After 30 years, it’s a sign of labor’s strength that union members from seven rail unions were able to effect a pro-worker agreement from the rail corporations,” said Teamsters Rail Conference General President Jim Hoffa in a prepared statement.

“The agreement with the coalition demonstrates that voluntary bargaining continues to work in the rail industry,” said NCCC Chairman Robert Allen. “While this agreement is the first in the current bargaining round, we are confident that it will set the pattern for successful resolution of negotiations with other rail unions.”

The Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition collectively represents more than 85,000 rail employees from: the American Train Dispatchers Association; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Buildings, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers; National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.