CLEVELAND, December 17 — Ratification ballots were mailed on December 9 to over 2,400 active BLET members working for CSX Transportation to decide the fate of two proposed agreements.
One pact includes members working under the jurisdiction of the Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment (General Chairman R.A. Finamore) and the Northern District General Committee of Adjustment (General Chairman J.P. Louis). It would set the terms and conditions for an operational consolidation involving the Consolidated B&O Eastern and Western District Rosters, and Conrail Northern District Roster, which has been sought by CSX for over a year.
The consolidated territory would be known as the North Mid-Atlantic Seniority District. The tentative agreement preserves existing prior rights seniority for all locomotive engineers, affords expanded work opportunities and retains seniority zones limiting the force assignment of engineers. It also broadens movement between seniority districts and provides New York Dock protection for engineers displaced in connection with the consolidation.
The other tentative agreement, which is being voted on only by members working under the jurisdiction of the Northern District GCA, would resolve all wage and rule Section 6 notices for the current round. It provides for a transition, between now and 2014, from the current collective bargaining agreement to the Single System Agreement in effect on the remainder of the CSX property.
National President Dennis Pierce praised the efforts of those who worked to complete the tentative agreements. “I want to express my appreciation to General Chairmen Finamore and Louis and their teams for bringing a final product to the membership after more than a year of struggle, and I want to thank Vice President Gil Gore for being there to assist at crunch time,” Pierce said.
“Federal law tilts the playing field heavily in the carrier’s favor by permitting large consolidations like these, and in mandating that one collective bargaining agreement govern the consolidated territory,” Pierce added. “This was one very tough fight, and I’m proud that our team brought home tentative agreements that deserve everyone’s most serious consideration.”
Pierce also announced that the National Division’s Department of Internal Organizing, Mobilizing and Strategic Planning will be assisting the two General Committees in maximizing membership participation in the ratification process through a “Get Out The Vote” mobilization.
Ballots must be received by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011, at which time tabulation will begin. Pursuant to federal law, failure of either tentative agreement automatically results in binding arbitration of the dispute.