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The National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) and United Transportation Union (UTU) plan to hold their first formal bargaining session next month on a national contract, which became open to amendments on Jan. 1. The parties will meet Feb. 10 and 11.

NCCC and the UTU exchanged their proposed amendments concerning pay rates, benefits and work rules on Nov. 1. About 40,000 UTU members are covered by the national contract.

During the current round of national contract bargaining with the UTU, the NCCC will serve as the chief negotiator for more than 30 U.S. railroads, including the Class Is. CN (U.S. operations), Canadian Pacific and Amtrak negotiate individually with the UTU.

Meanwhile, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) plans to begin national contract bargaining with the NCCC on Jan. 13. The BMWED will negotiate as part of the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition, which also includes the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers; National Conference of Firemen & Oilers-SEIU; and Sheet Metal Workers’ National Association.