2025 bargaining round has seen historic collaboration between freight rail carriers and the unions
Arlington, Va. (November 3, 2025) – The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) today announced it has reached a national tentative agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). This agreement marks a pivotal moment in negotiations, underscoring broad alignment among rail unions on the path forward in this year’s bargaining. Upon ratification of this agreement, nearly 95% of the union-represented freight rail employees at railroads participating in national handling will be covered by a collective bargaining agreement that follows the industry-wide pattern.
“This tentative agreement is a resounding endorsement of the pattern agreement’s tremendous value for rail employees,” said Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the NRLC and the NCCC. “With nearly all unions now aligned, it is clear that this bargaining round has been one of the most productive in modern freight rail history.”
“We thank BLET and all of the unions’ leadership teams for their engagement and commitment to the national bargaining process,” Rodgers continued. “These agreements provide lasting benefits for employees while ensuring the long-term strength of the freight rail industry.”
The tentative agreement, subject to member ratification, follows the industry-wide pattern and provides:
- Wage increases of 18.8% over five years. Based on current inflation projections, this increase will translate to real wage growth for covered railroaders, along with pay certainty for the life of the contract.
- Enhancements to world-class health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate. Despite rising healthcare costs nationally, employees’ 2026 health care premiums will remain below 2023 levels at about $308/month. This is well below the national average of more than $500/month for employer-provided family coverage.
- Access to more paid vacation time for employees earlier in their careers.
Continued Momentum in Bargaining
The tentative BLET agreement mirrors dozens of local and national agreements already ratified in the 2025 bargaining round, including those ratified by employees represented by ATDA, BMWED, BRC, IAM, IBB, IBEW, NCFO, SMART-MD, SMART-TD, and TCU covering the period through Dec. 31, 2029.
In just over a year since the 2025 bargaining round commenced with the exchange of Section 6 notices on Nov. 1, 2024, an unprecedented number of national agreements have been completed in record time. Early local agreements set the stage for this momentum, establishing a clear pattern that addresses employee needs while strengthening the freight rail industry’s ability to provide safe, reliable service.
The 18.8% wage increase in the pattern agreement builds on the historic 24% wage increase from the 2022 bargaining round. Taken together, these wage increases represent a nearly 50% (compounded) wage increase for covered employees between 2020 and 2029. Under these agreements, average annual wages will rise to $135,000 and average total compensation will increase to $190,000.
About the National Railway Labor Conference
The National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) is an association representing all U.S. Class I freight railroads — and many smaller freight and passenger lines. Through its NCCC, the NRLC leads national negotiations with the 12 major rail labor organizations.
