Arlington, Va. (Dec. 20, 2024) – The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) is pleased to announce the ratification of a national collective bargaining agreement with the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers (NFCO). The ratified contract, which will cover NCFO-represented freight rail employees through Dec. 31, 2029, is the third national agreement ratified this month after TCU and BRC members voted to finalize their contracts in recent weeks.
The NCFO contract follows the pattern established by earlier local agreements between several rail carriers and unions as well as agreements reached at the national level since the bargaining round began on Nov. 1. The terms include:
- Wage increases of 18.8% over five years. Based on current inflation projections, this 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. In 2025, health care premiums will decrease to about $277/month, 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.
“With a five-year national contract in place, NCFO-represented freight rail employees can start 2025 with certainty about their future compensation,” said Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the NRLC and the NCCC. “The NCCC is pleased to close out 2024 with three ratified agreements, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the new year through continued collaboration with our union counterparts, delivering real results—higher pay, enhanced health benefits and earlier access to paid time off.”
Continued Progress in the National Bargaining Round
The national bargaining round began with the exchange of Section 6 notices on Nov. 1, 2024. Early local agreements between several rail carriers and unions set the stage for this progress, establishing a clear pattern that prioritizes employee needs while strengthening the freight rail industry’s ability to provide safe, reliable service.
Building on the historic 24% wage increase from the 2022 bargaining round, the NFCO agreement represents part of a broader effort to provide competitive compensation and benefits to employees. Together, these agreements are projected to increase wages for covered employees by nearly 50% (compounded) between 2020 and 2029.
A list of carriers and unions participating in national handling can be found here. Carriers that reached an early local agreement covering a particular craft do not participate in national bargaining with respect to that craft. Additional information about the bargaining round is available at RailNegotiations.com.
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.
