Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have ratified the pattern agreement, bringing the number of employees covered by the pattern terms to more than 108,000 employees.

“With the IBEW’s ratification, the pattern agreement now covers 75% of the 145,000 employees in this bargaining round,” said A. Kenneth Gradia, Chairman of the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), the bargaining representative of the railroads.  “We are pleased that negotiations have concluded with nine of the twelve unions and look forward to final resolution with the three remaining unions.”

Two unions, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART- Mechanical Division) agreed to the pattern settlement for all issues except for healthcare.  An arbitration was held this week to resolve that issue; an award is expected in the near future.  Just one union, the International Association of Machinists, remains in mediation.

In addition to the IBEW, the following unions have concluded negotiations with the railroads:

• American Train Dispatchers Association
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
• Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
• Brotherhood Railway Carmen
• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) – Transportation Division including Yardmasters
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers
• National Conference of Firemen and Oilers
• Transportation Communications International Union

The NCCC represents more than 30 railroads, including BNSF, CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, in national bargaining with the rail unions.