The BLET has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with the Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY). Ballots were mailed to members this week.
The five-year TA runs through 2030 and provides a 7% general wage increase (GWI) for 2026, with 4% GWIs each year from 2027-2030. Other highlights of the TA include:
- Increased training pay for authorized trainers per tour of duty
- Allows for secondary hold downs
- Adds two days off per pay period for extra board employees
- Increases meal and lodging allowances
- Increases the annual safety boot allowance
- Increases bereavement leave for immediate family members to five days
- Eliminates the daily commute mileage deduction and will now pay all miles driven for the Carrier.
The negotiating team consisted of General Chairman Chip Cole and Vice General Chairman Matt Fadely, with assistance from assigned National Vice President Rick Gibbons. The IORY membership belongs to BLET Division 282 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Owned by the Genesee & Wyoming and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the IORY operates over 511 miles of track in western Ohio, and in parts of southeastern Indiana and southeast Michigan.
Note to IORY members: Ballots are due by December 3, 2025. Members who are eligible to vote and have not received a ratification packet by November 19 should call the National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number;
- The division to which you belong;
- The railroad you work for;
- Your date of birth;
- The last four digits of your Social Security number; and
- Your email address.
All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. Any member who requires a replacement ballot must include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.