WASHINGTON (April 23, 2012) – Members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) have ratified a new agreement with the nation’s major freight railroads, joining 12 other unions that had previously ratified new contracts. BMWE represents more than 25,000 employees in national bargaining..

The ratification brings the current bargaining round to a close; the unions representing 132,000 freight rail workers all have reached voluntary agreements with the railroads.

“The completion of this final agreement underscores the continuing vitality of national collective bargaining in our industry and the effectiveness of the Railway Labor Act processes in helping the parties reach voluntary agreements,” said A. Kenneth Gradia, chairman of the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), the railroads’ bargaining representative.

“We are grateful to the members and staff of the National Mediation Board, as well as the members of Presidential Emergency Board No. 243, who helped the parties resolve their differences peacefully. These agreements are a vital step in ensuring that we will continue to work together to help drive America’s economic growth in the years ahead.”

The NCCC represents more than 30 railroads, including BNSF, CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific in national bargaining with the 13 major rail unions.

 

###