INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, July 22 — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) on July 21 ratified a new on-property agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad.
The BLET secured General Wage increases of 29 percent over the life of the five-year agreement, which runs through 2026. Members also receive a $5,000 signing bonus. While there are no major work rule changes, the cost of employee health care will increase to about $300 per month.
The Illinois & Midland membership is represented by the BLET’s CN-IC General Committee of Adjustment. The negotiating team consisted of CN-IC General Chairman Billy Evans and assigned Vice President Alan Holdcraft. “I would like to thank Division 315 Local Chairman Mike Lohman for his help in getting this contract ratified,” General Chairman Evans said.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said: “As with the recent DM&E contract, the general wage increases in the Illinois & Midland deal reflect the fact that our members are essential to the railroad’s success. I thank our Illinois & Midland members for their solidarity and patience during the negotiating process. I also thank Brother Evans and Brother Holdcraft for bringing these negotiations to a successful conclusion.”
The Illinois & Midland is a 154-mile Genesee & Wyoming property that operates primarily in Peoria, Springfield and Taylorville, Illinois. It interchanges with the BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Tazewell & Peoria Railroad, and the Union Pacific.