Railroad workers at the Florida, Gulf & Atlantic Railway (FG&A), who joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen to gain collective bargaining rights, have ratified their first-ever contract. This marks a significant milestone for train and engine service employees at the formerly non-union short line railroad.
Prior to selecting the BLET as their designated collective bargaining representative in July of last year, workers at the FG&A were all non-union “at will” employees. “Railroaders at FG&A wanted union representation to address issues related to safety, working conditions, wages, and other compensation with their employer,” said BLET National Vice President Randy Fannon, who spearheaded the BLET organizing and contract negotiating efforts at FG&A. “With ratification of their first-ever BLET contract, our FG&A members now have an established policy, structure, and guidelines to hold management accountable.”
Ratified on November 21, the five-year agreement formally establishes many basic rights that BLET members working at other railroads already enjoy: a seniority roster with prior rights protections; grievance procedures and union protection from discipline; guaranteed extra boards with rest days; a process to promote engineers; a formal training process; paid personal time off; and other work rule and safety improvements. Additionally, the contract provides general wage increases of 17% (18.3% compounded) and establishes the ability for all T&E employees to earn overtime wages.
The BLET negotiating team consisted of Vice President Fannon along with assistance from Brother Robert Cross, the Grievance Chair for FG&A members. For representational purposes, the FG&A members belong to BLET Division 16, the union’s Short Line Division.
The Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad operates 430 miles of track, running east/west along the I-10 corridor between Baldwin, Florida, near Jacksonville, to Pensacola with a branch line that runs between Tallahassee and Attapulgus, Georgia.