Labor Negotiations
National bargaining between railroads & labor unions
More than 30 railroads are engaged in national bargaining with 13 rail unions through the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference. The 2010 round of bargaining began on November 2, 2009 and is governed by the 1926 Railway Labor Act (RLA), which is designed to avoid disruptions to rail transportation because of labor disputes.
Railroad Fact
Railroad Facts Temporarily Unavailable.
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.
Current status
- 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 and will remain as a senior advisor until his retirement next July.
Labor unions
There are thirteen labor unions that bargain with the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference.
Bargaining process
- Railroads and their organized employees engage in collective bargaining under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), which was passed in 1926.
- The system created by the RLA, designed to avoid disruptions to rail transportation due to labor disputes, follows various steps including compulsory mediation, in an effort to encourage negotiated settlements.
