UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The International Association of Machinists has reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee, the bargaining group for Class I and other railroads.
The agreement covers about 4,900 IAM members working at BNSF, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, Belt Railway of Chicago, Conrail, Terminal Rail, Indiana Harbor Belt, New Orleans Public Belt, and Palmetto Railways.
“Our membership asked us to stand strong for a contract that includes no takeaways and makes improvements to pay, vacation and health care — and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered,” IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh said in a press release. “We strongly recommend acceptance of this agreement.”
The NCCC says the terms are consistent with those reached with other unions: a wage increase of 18.8% over five years, improvements to health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate, and improvements in vacation time.
“This round continues to move forward at a historic pace, and this agreement with IAM is part of that momentum — providing employees with wage increases, enhanced health benefits and more access to paid time off,” Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the NCCC and the parent National Railway Labor Conference, said in a press release. “Working together with IAM’s leadership, we are delivering real improvements for their members.”
The union said a ratification vote will take place between April 25 and April 30.
The NCCC has already reached ratified agreements with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical and Engineering Department; the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; Transportation Communications International Union; Brotherhood of Railway Carmen; and American Train Dispatchers Association. It announced a tentative agreement with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers last week.
