Pacific Harbor Line, BLET extend labor agreement

Pacific Harbor Line, BLET extend labor agreement

By Trains Staff | July 15, 2024

New deal extends contract into 2027

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Two trains work with container lifts for ships in distance
Pacific Harbor Line and BNSF trains work at the Port of Los Angeles. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has extended its labor agreement with PHL. David Lassen

WILMINGTON, Calif. — Pacific Harbor Line and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer and Trainmen, Division 214, have ratified a three-year extension to their current labor agreement, extending that contract through Sept. 20, 2027.

The extension covers 145 of PHL’s 180 employees. It was ratified July 12 by a record number of eligible BLET members, with more than 91% voting in favor of the deal’s wage and benefit provisions.

“This is a great win for the organization and our members,” BLET General Chairman Brian Carr said in a press release. “The contract contains no changes to our health and medical plan and provides 13% wage increases over two years. PHL and the organization have worked well together through this process to ensure no disruptions to the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and we look forward to working together in the future.”

PHL President Otis Cliatt II said, “Our employees are the backbone of our operations. This CBA extension ensures that they are fairly compensated and that we maintain a safe and reliable rail network. It also prevents any potential disruption to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach operations, which are critical links to our economy.”

Division 214 has represented PHL employees since the railroad was formed in 1998, and has seen union employment increase from 27 employees to the more than 145 today.

PHL, one of the six railroads of Anacostia Rail Holdings, provides neutral transportation, maintenance, and dispatching services to the ports of Long Beach and Los Agneles, including dispatching all BNSF Railway and Union Pacific trains within the ports.

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