Crucial economic and workplace benefits are now in place for the nearly 3,500 members of the IBEW’s railroad branch who work for freight carriers in the U.S. now that the members have ratified a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee.
“Thanks to the dedication of our railroad members, we continue to win contracts that recognize their essential contributions to the nation,” International President Kenneth W. Cooper said in an announcement March 25. “This agreement reaffirms our commitment to securing strong contracts that provide economic stability for our members and their families.”
Key provisions of the IBEW’s new pact include an 18.77% compound wage increase over the life of the agreement, a path toward earning vacation time more quickly, and the ability to annually carry over — and even cash out — unused sick time.
“We were excited to see that so many of our members were in favor of the agreement,” said Railroad Director Al Russo.
Under the Railway Labor Act, agreements between railroad unions and carriers do not expire. Instead, “they remain status quo — meaning no changes to current wages, work rules, and health and welfare benefits — until an agreement is reached,” he said.
Russo said he and the leaders of the IBEW’s railroad system councils made sure the direction of the negotiations stayed steady to help prevent that.
“This round of negotiations was historically quicker, which prevented the bargaining process to drag on for three to four years,” Russo said.
The IBEW’s agreement largely follows a pattern set by those ratified by other unions during this latest round of bargaining.
Russo emphasized the importance of strong working relationships between labor and management was key in achieving a successful round of negotiations, highlighting that the rail carriers recognized the value of collaboration, which led to a productive bargaining session.
“There was a mutual understanding of respect between the parties that helped both sides accomplish reaching a tentative agreement,” he said, praising NCCC Chairman Jeff Rodgers and his team and expressing appreciation for their cooperative efforts.
As this newspaper was being prepared, the IBEW remained in talks with the NCCC toward adoption of a bereavement leave benefit, and discussions were ongoing around resolving sick leave benefit questions for the union’s workers with Conrail, the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad and the St. Louis Terminal Railway.
