WASHINGTON (November 16, 2011) — The nation’s major freight railroads have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. This is the fourth agreement since a Presidential Emergency Board made settlement recommendations, and the sixth overall in this round of bargaining.

The railroads now have agreements covering the majority of the 132,000 employees in this bargaining round. The other unions who have reached agreements include the United Transportation Union and its Yardmasters Department, the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Transportation Communications International Union.

The tentative agreements cover wages, benefits, and other issues. Details were not released pending ratification votes by union members.

As mandated by the Railway Labor Act, the carriers and the remaining seven unions are in a 30-day “cooling off” period to negotiate voluntary settlements, which would avert any potential disruptions to rail service. During this period, which ends December 6, strikes are not permitted.

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.

###