(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on June 22, 2010.)
Amtrak Service Workers Council (ASWC) members recently ratified a new Amtrak contract by a 450-116 vote. The ASWC represents all Amtrak on-board service workers and includes three member unions, the Transportation Communications Union, Transport Workers Union and UNITE HERE.
The five-year contract provides a total of 15 percent in general wage increases, beginning with a 1.5 percent raise July 1. The pact also caps future health-care contributions, and freezes co-pays and deductibles.