BLET members this week ratified a new contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway (HESR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 24 BLET operating employees.
The five-year deal runs through the end of 2029 and provides general wage increases of 19.5% (21.06% compounded) over the life of the contract (5% in 2025; 4.0% in 2026; 4.0% in 2027; 4.0% in 2028; and 2.5% in 2029). Other improvements include the addition of two extra days of vacation for those obtaining 20 years of service with the company and the ability for senior qualified employees to bid on temporary vacancies and every subsequent vacancy arising from them being filled.
The BLET negotiating team consisted of National Vice President Randy Fannon and General Chairman Zachary Stieler. The members belong to BLET Division 327 (Richville, Mich.)
A Genesee & Wyoming property, the HESR operates 394 miles of track around “The Thumb” area of Michigan along Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron.
Photo: courtesy of Chris Thompson