The BLET has reached a tentative on-property agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad covering rates of pay, work rules, and health & welfare benefits for over 6,000 BLET members employed at UP.
Highlights of the tentative five-year contract include:
- General wage increases totaling 17.5% (compounded rate of 18.8%)
- No concessions on work rules
- Enhanced vacation accrual allowing members their additional weeks at an accelerated rate
- Enhancements to health and welfare benefits
- Creation of a new reduced-cost medical plan (10%) for employees only. The plan is optional and employee monthly cost sharing is capped for the life of the agreement.
- Medical cost sharing for existing coverage is capped at 15% for the life of the agreement
- Improvements to discipline and claims handling designed to expedite both processes
- Increased away-from-home meal allowances
If approved by the membership, the annual wage increases will be applied as follows: 4.0% in 2025, 3.75% in 2026, 3.5% in 2027, 3.25% in 2028, and 3.0% in 2029.
If ratified, time off improvements would provide three weeks of vacation after six years (previously eight), four weeks of vacation after 15 years (previously 17), and five weeks of vacation after 23 years (previously 25).
Additional information regarding the tentative agreement can be found in the ratification packets mailed to members this week.
Note to Union Pacific members: Ballots are due by Friday, October 3. Members who are eligible to vote and have not received a ratification packet by Tuesday, September 23, 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.
All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. Any member who requires a replacement ballot must include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.