Posted February 24, 2012 09:06:34 CST

24 February - Status of Unions in National Negotiations

by LRC

12 Ratified and 1 Tentative

The latest round of national negotiations between the nation's rail carriers and unions kicked off January 2010.  This process is governed by the Railway Labor Act (RLA) bargaining process. 

To date, national agreements have been approved by the following 12 unions:

• UTU -  United Transportation Union and its Yardmaster department
• TCU/IAM Clerical -  Transportation Communication International Union
• TCU/IAM Carmen -  Brotherhood of Railway Carman

• IBEW -  International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• NCFO - National Conference of Firemen and Oilers
• BLET - Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (Health and Welfare)
• IAMAW - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
• SMWIA - Sheet Metal Workers' International Association
• IBB - International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers
• BRS - Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
• ATDA - American Train Dispatchers Association

The BMWE (Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes) has reached a tentative agreement.  The BLET (Locomotive Engineers) has reached a tentative agreement on wages and work rules on the UP system. 

In addition, agreement was reached with the ARASA (American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association) on wages, work rules and benefit issues that have been open for negotiation since January 2010.  This agreement is applicable to those ARASA employees governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreements dated September 1, 2009 (UP) and April 1, 2009 (SP-WL) who hold non-excepted positions, which makes up 58% of our ARASA population (Foremen, Supervisors, Station Masters and Foreman-General positions).

Negotiations continue locally on a systemwide basis with the USCA (Yardmasters), IUOE (Operating Engineers) and the Ornamental Ironworkers for wages and rules. These unions will receive the national health and welfare package. The railroad also is negotiating locally with the TCU-ICTF for wages, rules and health care.