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Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes members June 24 ratified an agreement with Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Co. (IHB).


The deal, which took more than two years to negotiate, raises wages, and changes work rules, and health and welfare benefits for about 150 BMWE-represented workers who maintain IHB's interchange in and around Chicago.


To protest slow contract negotiations, BMWE members struck IHB May 14 to May 18, at which time the two parties were able to reach a tentative agreement.


"We are pleased with the overwhelming endorsement of an agreement that represents a fair and equitable resolution of issues of importance to both the union and the railroad," said IHB General Manager Gary Gibson in a prepared statement.


Hammond, Ind.-based IHB serves as a switch carrier for 16 Chicago-area railroads and operates 54 miles of mainline track, and 266 miles of yard and siding track.