The BLET has reached a tentative contract with Alstom for locomotive engineers who operate Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains in the Washington-Baltimore area. The tentative agreement governs pay, benefits and work rules for 20 members. Ballots were mailed last week.
The tentative five-year agreement covers the period from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2028 and would provide general wage increases of 15.9% (compounded). Additional items include:
• Backpay due 60 days after ratification.
• $1,500 signing bonus for eligible engineers.
• Flat co-pay of $15 for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy in place of employee having to meet deductible for coinsurance to apply.
• Lap-backs or side-trips will be paid for one trip rate.
• Modification of EBS to allow for seven day bids.
Ballots are due by Thursday, February 20, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Wednesday, February 12, should call the National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
• Your name, address and phone number;
• The division to which you belong;
• The railroad you work for;
• Your date of birth;
• The last four digits of your Social Security number; and
• Your email address.
Please note: All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. It’s important that any member who requires a replacement ballot include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.
Members governed by this tentative agreement belong to BLET Division 97 in Baltimore and the CSXT-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment. The negotiating team consisted of CSXT-N General Chairman Brian Farkas and recently-retired National Vice President Alan Holdcraft.
MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration and operated under contract by Alstom and Amtrak. The tracks are owned by CSXT and Amtrak. MARC reports 33,930 passenger boardings per weekday.
Photo: Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659