BLET, Indiana & Ohio Railway reach tentative agreement

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) reached a tentative contract with the Indiana & Ohio Railway, the labor organization announced this morning.

If approved by members, the new agreement would govern rates of pay and work rules for 50 engineers, conductors and trainees, according to a BLET press release.

Ballots and a synopsis of the agreement have been mailed to active members of the railroad. Voting will conclude May 31.

The pact marks another milestone for the BLET membership at the railroad, said BLET National President Dennis Pierce.

"Our first contract for our Indiana and Ohio membership provided a sound foundation for us to build upon with this second agreement," said Pierce.

The BLET organized the railroad's labor force on Aug. 3, 2001. A 78 percent majority of members ratified the first union contract at the railroad in 2003.