ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Carriers Conference Committee today announced it has reached a national tentative agreement with SMART-TD, the nation’s largest rail union.
“This tentative national agreement with SMART-TD will extend the benefits established by the industrywide pattern — including wage increases and improved benefits — to thousands more freight rail employees,” Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the National Railway Labor Conference and the NCCC, said in a statement. “This represents a substantial advancement, and we value SMART-TD’s participation in a productive process that is expected to benefit rail employees, foster high-quality careers, and contribute to the continued success of America’s freight rail sector.”
The tentative agreement, subject to member ratification, follows the industry-wide pattern and provides: Wage increases of 18.8% over five years, enhancements to health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate, and access to more paid vacation time for employees earlier in their careers.
Nine other unions, including IBEW, BMWED, SMART-MD, IAM, IBB, ATDA, NCFO, TCU and BRC, have already reached national agreements.
Upon ratification of this agreement and a separate tentative agreement with the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen (BRS), more than 80% of the union-represented freight rail employees at railroads participating in national handling will be covered by a ratified collective bargaining agreement that follows the industry-wide pattern.
1 important sentence missing as follows…..
Union Pacific, CSX, and CPKC are not part of this agreement, as they are not negotiating through the NCCC in this process.