FORT WORTH, Texas — Members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers have ratified a new five-year contract with BNSF Railway, the union and railroad have announced.
The agreement includes average wage increases of 3.5% as well as improvements to health care and vacation time. It was one of two tentative deals announced by BNSF in August [see “Norfolk Southern and BNSF reach tentative agreements …,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 30, 2024].
“This ratified agreement demonstrates our ongoing commitment with our union partners to ensure continued exceptional service for our customers,” BNSF CEO Katie Farmer said in a press release. “The success of our railroad is built upon the collaboration and mutual respect of our hard-working railroaders, and I’m excited to take this next step forward together.”
The railroad now has ratified agreements with five unions and a sixth that is pending ratification.
“This was an all-around great agreement, from wage increases to a better insurance package and vacations,” said IBB Director of Railroad Lodge Services John Mansker. “The members spoke with an outstanding vote ratification.” Vote figures were not reported
What do Boilermakers do? Sounds like a name from the steam era when locos had boilers. I guess the name is more of a broad tradition.