A contract ratification vote is underway for BLET members at the Utah Railway. Ballots were mailed this week to members to vote on a tentative on-property agreement governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for approximately 42 operating employees.
The five-year tentative agreement would provide wage increases totaling 41% (46.7% compounded) over the life of the contract (23% at signing; 5% in 2025; 4% in 2026; 4% in 2027; and 5% in 2028). Signing bonuses will be paid to employees based on length of service (10+ years of service will receive $19,000; 4+ years of service will receive $7,500; 1+ year of service will receive $1,500). It governs about 42 members. Prior to this tentative agreement, the last effective wage increase was January 1, 2015.
Ballots are due on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Members who have not received a ballot by Tuesday, February 27, should request a replacement by calling the BLET 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; and
- The last four digits of your Social Security number.
The above information is needed in order to verify membership and eligibility before a replacement ratification packet can be sent.
The Utah Railway members belong to Division 221 (Salt Lake City, Utah). The negotiating team consisted of BLET General Chairman J.E. Hamilton, National Vice President Garrison Best, and Division 221 Local Chairmen Casey Ostler (representing engineers) and Jason Wiseman (representing conductors).
A Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary, the Utah Railway is a 59-mile short line railroad that operates throughout Utah. It interchanges with Class I railroads BNSF and Union Pacific, both at Provo, Utah and Grand Junction, Colo.