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Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes May 14 began picketing Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Co. (IHB) to protest slow contract negotiations, which after nearly two-and-a-half years have come to a standstill, according to a prepared statement.
BMWE represents about 150 of the 469-mile short line's workers, who maintain the railroad's interchange in and around Chicago.
BMWE officials, who're seeking a new agreement covering wages, benefits and job protection, claim IHB has rebuffed the union's recent negotiation efforts.
"We thought we were getting close to an agreement, but changes in
[IHB's] management personnel earlier this year put the talks in a tailspin," said BMWE General Chairman Perry Geller, referring to IHB General Manager Gary Gibson, who in January replaced recently retired Charles Allen, and Comptroller Derek Smith, who joined the railroad in February.