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 … Continue reading Union Pacific: BLET reaches tentative agreement with UP