Members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD) have voted to ratify a new contract agreement, the National Carriers Conference Committee announced yesterday.
SMART-MD is the fifth national agreement ratified, following agreements reached by the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers, Transportation Communications International Union, Brotherhood Railway Carmen, and the American Train Dispatchers Association.
“With these ratified agreements, railroads and unions are delivering real value for employees through increased pay, enhanced health care benefits and earlier access to paid time off,” said Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the National Railway Labor Conference and the NCCC. “We’re grateful for SMART-MD’s collaboration in achieving this important milestone, which positions the industry to meet future challenges with a strong, supported workforce.”
The SMART-MD contract follows the pattern established by the more than 50 agreements reached at both the local and national levels. The terms provide: Wage increases of 18.8% over five years, improved health benefits, and more vacation time.
In other labor news, the operator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail service has reached a tentative agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
“Keolis is pleased to have reached an updated agreement with BLET,” Abdellah Chajai, CEO and general manager of Keolis Commuter Services, said in a statement today. “We’re proud of the agreements we’ve now reached with eleven of our fourteen unions. As one of the largest employers in Massachusetts, we want to ensure that the railroad continues to be a place where people are proud to work and develop a career.”
“This tentative contract which is subject to formal ratification by the BLET members ensures that our members will continue to receive the pay and benefits they deserve for the important work they do for the passengers of the Commuter Rail every day,” said BLET General Chairman Pat Darcy. “We’re proud to have reached this strong agreement on behalf of our members and their families.”
Keolis has now reached tentative agreements with the following unions: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association (ARASA), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED), Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen (BRS), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB), Transportation Communications Union (TCU), Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), and National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO).
The International Association of Machinists (IAM) and SMART Sheetmetal have both ratified their updated agreements with Keolis. Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) has ratified and settled their updated agreement.
This brings the total number of unions under agreement to 11 of 14.
