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 Status page.
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:
Click here for more information about the current round of negotiations, including the status of agreements between carriers and unions.
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 collaboration between rail carriers and unions, resulting in mutually beneficial agreements that address employee priorities and keep the industry running.
This round, some carriers (including those represented by the NCCC) and unions proactively reached and ratified agreements early in the bargaining process, including both local and national agreements. These early local agreements don’t change the steps of the national bargaining process, but they do establish a pattern that provides a clear framework for resolving the national round, addressing key employee priorities and providing wage increases, and providing enhanced health benefits and earlier access to paid time off.
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 and earlier access to paid time off.
Carriers and unions that have reached ratified agreements do not need to participate in the current bargaining round. The early agreements also do not change the timeline for national bargaining.
What happens next in the national bargaining process if the NCCC cannot reach a voluntary agreement with the remaining unions?
National bargaining continues between NCCC and the remaining unions that have not yet reached agreements. Once tentative agreements are reached, each union will hold a member ratification vote.
If direct bargaining is not successful, negotiations enter mediation. The National Mediation Board (NMB) assumes control of the schedule, location and format of negotiations. The NMB’s goal is to facilitate an agreement that is mutually acceptable for all parties.
Under the RLA, the NMB is obligated to use its “best efforts” to bring the parties to agreement. There is no timeline for the mediation process. While parties can request that the NMB release them from mediation, the board has no obligation to do so.
