What's New

6/10/2008 - UTU Ratifies Accord with Freight Railroads
Members of the United Transportation Union (UTU) have approved a new national agreement with the nation's major freight railroads, joining eleven other unions that had previously reached final agreements on new contracts.

1/24/2008 - Freight Railroads Reach Accord with UTU
The nation’s major freight railroads and the United Transportation Union (UTU) reached tentative agreement Wednesday on a new contractcovering wages, benefits and other issues.

 

Recent Developments

Negotiations Overview

The nation's major freight railroads have now reached final agreements with 12 unions representing nearly 95% of the 145,000 employees of Class I railroads covered in national bargaining that began in November 2004.

more on negotiations

The Real Story: Safety & Security

Rail is the safest way to move the nation’s freight, including hazardous materials, over land. In 2006, US Class I railroads originated 32.1 million carloads while rail workers continued to enjoy the lowest injury rates in transportation.

more on safety

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 thatserve every major U.S. port and metropolitan area.

more on economic benefits

National Railway Labor Conference