WASHINGTON — Members of the SMART Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering Department, or SMART-MD, have unanimously ratified a new contract with Union Pacific, the union announced today (Sept. 2, 2025).
The agreement, based on terms of deals with other freight railroads, includes annual wage increases totaling 17.5% (more than 18.75% compounded); paid vacation for new-hire employees and accelerated accrual of vacation for tenured employees; improved vision and dental benefits; an optional high-deductable health plan with lower employee contributions; and an opt-out payment of $200 per month for those who choose not to have health insurance.
“With this 100% ratification vote, SMART members at Union Pacific made one thing clear: this is an agreement they can be proud of, and that recognizes their work,” SMART General President Michael Coleman said in a press release. “SMART members keep our economy moving, and they deserve a contract that rewards them for that.”
SMART-MD members had previously ratified agreements with BNSF Railway, CSX, and Norfolk Southern, and with the railroads represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee.
Still waiting on a UP-METRA agreement before the STB review starts.
Wonder if this changes their opinion of a future transaction which two of their signatories (UP and NS) have agreed to? Or was any disagreement just a ploy to get this agreement signed? Guess all is fair in agreements and politics…