What’s the status of the 2025 bargaining round?
Nearly half all union-represented employees at carriers participating in national handling are now covered by ratified agreements that follow the established industry-wide pattern. This includes ratified national agreements with IBEW, BMWED, SMART-MD, IAM, ATDA, NCFO, TCU, BRC, and IBB — all covering the period through December 31, 2029. You can track updates on the Bargaining […]
What is pattern bargaining? Why is it important?
Pattern bargaining is a foundational principle of Railway Labor Act negotiations. Once a pattern is set, adherence to the pattern promotes consistency for employees, operational certainty for carriers, and long-term stability for the industry. In this round, dozens of national and local agreements with consistent terms established a pattern. The terms of the pattern provide […]
What is the Railway Labor Act?
The Railway Labor Act (RLA) is a federal statute that has governed collective bargaining between freight railroads and rail labor organizations for nearly 100 years. Unlike agreements in most other industries, rail labor agreements under the RLA remain effective indefinitely until changed by mutual agreement. The RLA includes a structured process for good faith bargaining […]
How long does the bargaining process take?
The duration of the process can vary. Some agreements are reached quickly, while others may go through each stage of the RLA process. Our goal in this round is to reach timely, voluntary agreements that benefit all stakeholders.
What is the difference between national and local bargaining?
“National” agreements between multiple freight railroads and a labor union typically address significant issues such as wages, health benefits and industry-wide work rules. These agreements are negotiated on a multi-employer basis and apply to all employees represented by the signatory carriers and union. “Local” agreements only apply to employees in one craft at a specific […]
What is a “Section 6 notice?” What does it mean for employees?
Under the RLA, collective bargaining agreements do not expire and instead have “reopener” dates. On and after those dates, parties can start new negotiations by exchanging “Section 6 notices,” so-named because the notices are issued pursuant to Section 6 of the RLA. These notices outline proposed contractual changes and mark the beginning of the collective […]
When did national negotiations start?
The current national collective bargaining agreements between freight rail carriers and rail unions reopened for negotiation on November 1, 2024. At that time, “Section 6 notices” were exchanged and bargaining began.
Who are the parties involved in national railroad bargaining?
The most current round of bargaining includes 28 railroads represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee and 12 rail unions: International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Div. (SMART-TD & SMART-TD-YDM) Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET) Brotherhood Railway Carmen (BRC) Brotherhood […]
How does this round of bargaining compare to previous rounds?
The 2025 bargaining round has seen early, significant progress, with nearly half of all union-represented employees at railroads participating in national handling already covered by ratified agreements that follow a consistent, industry-wide pattern. While the timing of agreements this early in the national bargaining round is noteworthy, this progress reflects the long history of productive […]
Why have some carriers and unions already announced new agreements?
Some carriers (including those represented by the NCCC) and unions have proactively reached and ratified agreements early in the bargaining process, including both local and national agreements. The early local agreements established a pattern that provides a clear framework for resolving the national round, addressing key employee priorities and providing wage increases, enhanced health benefits […]
