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Six of the seven rail unions that make up the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC) have ratified contracts with the National Carrier’s Conference Committee (NCCC).

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, National Conference of Firemen and Oilers/Service Employees International Union, Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association and International Brotherhood of Boilermakers members signed off on the contract, which calls for general wage increases totaling 17 percent until Dec. 31, 2009. The agreement also would retain work rules, cap workers’ health and welfare contributions at 15 percent, and eliminate railroads’ proposal to reduce train crews to one worker.

American Train Dispatchers Association members did not ratify the contract.

The NCCC, which bargains for more than 30 U.S. railroads (including the Class Is), has been negotiating national collective agreements with 13 rail labor unions since November 2004.