(The following Associated Press report appeared on the WOI-TV website on November 22.)
IOWA CITY, Iowa — A union official says contract talks between the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad Corporation and its employees may be in line for binding arbitration.
Negotiations between the railroad and the employee’s union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, have been ongoing for nearly two years.
Last week, union members agreed to the principles of binding arbitration suggested by the National Mediation Board.
But John Mullen, short line director for the union, says that said as of today (Monday), railroad officials had not yet agreed to the terms.
Mullen says wages and health insurance are the major hurdles in the negotiations.