Tacoma Rail, Florida East Coast workers ratify labor agreements

SMART Transportation Division-represented trainmen at Tacoma Rail recently ratified a six-and-a-half-year agreement by an overwhelming majority.

The pact provides "true parity" for all trainmen by eliminating entry rates and consolidating rates into a single rate of pay for conductor positions, resulting in an hourly pay increase effective July 1, 2017, union officials said in a press release. The agreement also establishes a standard crew consisting of two trainmen on all assignments, and provides double time for holiday duty and triple time for more than eight hours of work on holidays.

In addition, the contract provides a 3 percent deferred compensation match and a ratification incentive, SMART Transportation Division officials said.
Union members will receive "significant improvements" in wages and working conditions because of the agreement, said SMART Transportation Division Vice President Dave Wier.

Tacoma Rail operates about 200 miles of track and provides freight connections for customers in greater Tacoma and Olympia, Wash.

In addition, the National Mediation Board recently announced that SMART Transportation Division-represented workers at Florida East Coast Railway ratified new agreements. The pacts cover conductors, engineers, trainmen and yardmasters.