National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) is an association of all U.S. Class I freight railroads and many smaller freight and passenger lines.
Through its National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), the NRLC represents most of its members in national (multi-employer) negotiations with the twelve major rail labor organizations. The most recent round, which concluded in late 2022, covered more than 30 railroads and more than 100,000 employees.
The NCCC is chaired by the Chairman of the NRLC and includes the senior labor relations executives of following railroads: BNSF Railway Company, CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Union Pacific Railroad and the U.S. railroads owned directly or indirectly by Canadian National.
In addition to national bargaining, the NRLC represents the railroads in the administration of the multi-billion dollar industry-wide health and welfare plans for rail employees; on rail labor issues before federal agencies, congressional committees and the courts; and in labor arbitration cases. It also provides training programs for rail management.
The NRLC was formed in 1963 when three regional railroad conferences formed a single, nationwide entity. The organization has been based in the Washington, D.C. area since 1968.