INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has ratified a new agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming short line in central Illinois.
The BLET said the agreement includes general wage increases of 29% over the five-year life of the contract, which runs through 20206, as well as a $5,000 signing bonus. There are no major work rule changes; the cost of employee health care will increase to about $300 per month.
“As with the recent [Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern] contract, the general wage increases in the Illinois & Midland deal reflect the fact that our members are essential to the railroad’s success,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said in a press release.
The 154-mile Illinois & Midland operates between Pekin, Springfield, and Taylorville, Ill. It was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 1996.
Illinois & Midland is nearly a 100% coal hauler. The transfer terminal at the Illinois River is idle with empty hoppers in the yard. They are down to what, 2, maybe 3 customers on the line? I wonder how much will be left by 2026.
Would it not be nice if the big railroads felt their operating and maintenance people were valuable also.