The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) announced Dec. 30 that members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have ratified a national collective bargaining agreement covering more than 12,000 freight rail employees. With this ratification, approximately 95% of the union-represented freight rail employees at railroads participating in national handling are now covered by 12 ratified collective bargaining agreements that follow the industry-wide pattern. The ratified agreement provides: “Wage increases of 18.8% over five years. Based on current inflation projections, this increase will translate to real wage growth for covered railroaders, along with pay certainty for the life of the contract. Under these agreements, average annual wages will rise to about $135,000 and average total compensation will increase to about $190,000 by the end of the contract in 2029. “Enhancements to world-class health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate. Employees’ 2025 health care premiums have decreased to about $277/month, well below the national average of more than $500/month for employer-provided family coverage. “Access to more paid vacation time for employees earlier in their careers.” “We congratulate BLET members on their ratification vote,” said Jeff Rodgers, Chairman of the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) and the NCCC. “With 11 unions and nearly all freight rail employees covered by a ratified agreement through 2029, employees have resoundingly endorsed this pattern agreement with 18.8% wage increases and enhanced benefits.” BLET members join employees represented by ATDA, BMWED, BRC, IAM, IBB, IBEW, NCFO, SMART-MD, SMART-TD, and TCU in…
