NRLC Logo
Search
Close this search box.

The 2025 round of national handling was the fastest in decades, closing after only 18 months on July 6, 2026.

The national collective bargaining agreements between freight rail carriers and rail unions reopened for negotiation starting on November 1, 2024. At that time, “Section 6 notices” were exchanged and bargaining began. Bargaining closed when the last participating union announced its ratification on July 6, 2026.

The most recent round of bargaining included more than 30 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 of Railroad Signalmen (BRS)
  • International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
  • Transportation Communications International Union (TCU)
  • National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO)
  • American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA)
  • International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)
  • International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers (IBB)