News
11/02/2009 - Freight Railroads Signal Start of New Bargaining Round
The nation's major freight railroads today signaled the start of a new round of bargaining with the 13 rail unions, saying the round offers a fresh opportunity to lay the foundation for the industry's future success.
12/18/2008 - Freight Railroads Name New Chief Labor Negotiator
The nation's major freight railroads today announced the appointment of A. Kenneth Gradia as chairman of the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC). He will succeed Robert F. Allen, who is stepping down after 15 years as the railroads' chief negotiator.
Negotiations Overview
On November 2, 2009, the railroads' bargaining representative, the National Carriers' Conference Committee, initiated the start of the 2010 round of bargaining by serving "Section 6" notices on the 13 unions, which represent more than 144,000 U.S. rail employees.
The Real Story: Railroads & the Economy
America's freight railroads - a $55 billion industry - are a vital link in the national economy, connecting producers with manufacturers and distributors at home and abroad, via a network of more than 140,000 route-miles that serve every major U.S. port and metropolitan area.
Since 1981, average rail rates have dropped by half, resulting in real savings for consumers. In fact, if all freight moving by rail were shifted to truck, consumers would see their costs jump by almost $70 billion a year, according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officers (AASHTO).
