Ballots were mailed to BLET members this week for voting on tentative agreements at three railroads —Utah Railway, Missouri & Northern Arkansas (M&NA), and Berkshire & Eastern (B&E). Details are as follows:
Utah Railway
The five-year tentative agreement provides wage increases totaling 41% (46.7% compounded) over the life of the contract (23% at signing; 5% in 2025; 4% in 2026; 4% in 2027; and 5% in 2028). Signing bonuses will be paid to employees based on length of service (10+ years of service will receive $19,000; 4+ years of service will receive $7,500; 1+ year of service will receive $1,500). Ballots will be counted on Wednesday, March 20. For more information about the contract and instructions for requesting a replacement ballot, please visit this link on the BLET National Division website.
M&NA
The five-year tentative deal runs through January 1, 2028, and provides general wage increases of 25% (27.5% compounded) over the life of the contract (7% at signing in 2024; 5% in 2025; 5% in 2026; 4% in 2027; and 4% in 2028). Ballots will be counted on Wednesday, March 20. For more information about the contract and instructions for requesting a replacement ballot, please visit this link on the BLET National Division website.
B&E
The tentative agreement provides an increase of 13% to the hourly rate of pay while accelerating the progression of Entry Level rates of pay so engineers would receive the 100% rate of pay much sooner. Ballots will be counted on Tuesday, March 7. For more information about the contract and instructions for requesting a replacement ballot, please visit this link on the BLET National Division website. (CP image)