ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Train Dispatchers Association has ratified a new national agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee, the national bargaining group for major U.S. railroads.
The agreement announced today (Jan. 8, 2025) is the fourth to be ratified, following deals with the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, Transportation Communications Union, and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen. It includes wage increases totaling 18.8% over five years, improved health and welfare benefits with decreasing employee premiums in 2025, and greater access to paid vacation time earlier in an employee’s career.
“We are pleased ATDA members endorsed the value these agreements deliver — increased pay, enhanced health care benefits, and earlier access to paid time off,” Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the NCCC and its parent group, the National Railway labor Conference, said in a press release. “The NCCC is encouraged to start the year with another agreement ratified, and we look forward to building on these shared successes in the months ahead.”
The ATDA said in a release that members from Conrail and Canadian National’s Wisconsin Central will receive the wage increases, while the health benefits will also benefit members at CPKC, Metra, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, and Tri-Rail.
“This National Agreement was negotiated successfully without our members having to wait for years to receive their pay increases and healthcare enhancements, as well improvements to the National Vacation Agreement,” said union president Ed Dowell. “Let’s hope this round isn’t an anomaly, but the pattern for future negotiations.”
