Posted May 9, 2011 13:51:30 CDT

Tentative United Transportation Union (UTU) National Agreement

by LRC

We have received a number of questions related to the tentative United Transportation Union (UTU) national agreement article that was previously published in UPOnline. 

Details of the tentative agreement will not be released until the railroads and the UTU finalize contract language and develop Questions & Answers.  In general, the terms will address rates of pay, health and welfare and working conditions.  We have agreed that the UTU will communicate the details (including providing copies) to its members according to the union's bylaws.

Please note, the tentative agreement covers only UTU members.  Mediation will continue with the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC), which includes the BLET, BMWE, NCF&O, IBBB, SMWIA, BRS and with the Transportation Communication International Union Coalition (TCU), which includes the ATDA, IAM, IBEW, BRC and TWC.  Voluntary local UP-only negotiations will continue with the BLET, USCA (yardmasters), ICTF Allied Division, and ARASA.

Historically in the railroad industry the first agreement serves as a pattern for the remaining negotiations.  We expect this to be the case in this round of National Negotiations.