BLET members ratify six-year pact with Indiana Southern Railroad

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have ratified a new, six-year labor agreement with Indiana Southern Railroad, the union announced Wednesday.

The new agreement covers rates of pay, work rules and health and welfare benefits for 26 locomotive engineers and conductors who work for the short line. The agreement provides for retroactive pay to Jan. 1, 2014, and runs through Jan. 1, 2020, according to a BLET press release.

The BLET's Indiana Southern Railroad members belong to Division 270 in Washington, Ind., which is part of the CP Rail-U.S. General Committee of Adjustment (GCA). National Vice President Cole Davis, CP Rail-U.S. General Chairman Pete Semenek, Division 270 Local Chairman Terry Braun, and Division 270 Vice Local Chairman Cord Quakenbush served on the negotiating team.

The negotiating and ratification process took 16 months. The contract includes several "key improvements," including general wage increases of 21.7 percent compounded over the life of the contract when factoring in retroactive pay and future general wage increases, BLET officials said.

Also included in the contract are a new safety incentive bonus program, projections for health and welfare benefits, and an increase in the personal projection allowance.