JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has ratified a new five-year contract with CSX Transportation, the railroad has announced.
“The ratification by the BMWED marks an important advancement in our ongoing collaboration with union leadership,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a press release on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. “CSX remains dedicated to cultivating a workplace environment where every employee feels valued, respected, included, and appreciated. Our collective focus continues to be on improving safety, efficiency, and service together as ONE CSX to build a stronger foundation for our future success.”
The union says members voted in favor of the contract by a 2-to-1 margin, with 1,663 in favor and 802 against. Thirty-five blank ballots were also returned. The nearly 4,200 members covered by the agreement will receive raises of 18.77% over the life of the contract, improved health and welfare benefits, a reduction in the time needed to accumulate vacation, and improved work rules.
“To secure this contract now, improving many important rules, locking in bonus structures for vital positions, attaining gains in vacation and health insurance without increases in employee contributions, is important and unprecedented in modern rail bargaining,” BMWED President Tony Cardwell said in a press release. “Members repeatedly said we need faster bargaining, money in our pockets now, and politicians and bureaucrats out of our bargaining process. This has been accomplished.”
Ten unions, covering 13 different work groups and 42% of the railroad’s union workforce, have now ratified new agreements with CSX.
