The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with CSX Transportation that will significantly benefit locomotive engineers. If ratified by the members, the tentative agreement would provide compounded general wage increases of 18.77 percent. Engineers would also earn five new days of paid sick leave per year under the tentative deal, with the flexibility to convert two earned personal leave days into sick days. There are no changes to engineers cost share for Health and Welfare while vision and dental benefits are expanded.
The tentative agreement comes after several months of negotiations and would run through December 31, 2029. The deal contains other provisions regarding three and four-day work week yard assignments, relief assignments, travel allowance, and an increase to the engineer certification allowance. The entire package is valued at a 21.4% increase in wages and benefits over the span of the agreement.
The negotiating team consisted of General Chairmen Chris Hyde (CSX-Eastern Lines GCA), Brian Farkas (CSX-Northern Lines GCA), Keith Kerley (CSX-Western Lines GCA), Pat Driscoll (CSX-Northern District GCA), and assigned National Vice President Randy Fannon.
Nearly 3,500 BLET members at CSXT will receive detailed information about the tentative agreement soon, and a ratification vote is scheduled to begin later this month.