advertisement

---

Transportation Communications Union (TCU)/American Railway and Airline Supervisors Associations (ARASA)-represented onboard supervisors and maintenance of equipment workers recently ratified new five-year agreements with Amtrak covering wages, health benefits and work rules.

The pacts are similar to contracts previously ratified by TCU/ARASA-represented maintenance-of-way supervisors, clerks, carmen and onboard service workers, according to TCU. The agreements provide 15 percent wage increases over the five-year term, limit increases in employees’ health insurance contributions, and freeze co-pays and deductibles at current levels.

Meanwhile, National Carriers' Conference Committee and United Transportation Union (UTU) officials plan to meet this week and in mid-November to continue negotiating a national agreement covering wages, benefits and working conditions. The national rail contract — which applies to more than 30 U.S. railroads, including the Class Is, and covers about 40,000 UTU members — became open for amendment on Jan. 1.

Negotiations to be held Oct. 12-13 will focus on health-care insurance while bargaining to be conducted Nov. 15-17 will focus on wages and working conditions, according to the UTU.