BLET Ratifies New NECR Contract

(NECR Photograph, Courtesy of Genesee & Wyoming)

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members have ratified a new five-year on-property agreement governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules at Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary New England Central Railroad (NECR), the union reported Sept. 15.

Covering approximately 40 operating employees, the deal runs through Dec. 31, 2027, according to BLET. It provides general wage increases of 22% over the life of the contract: 9% in 2023; 4% in 2024, 3% in 2025, 3% in 2026, and 3% in 2027. Also included is a $2,000 signing bonus.

“The committee is very proud of all the hard work that went into negotiating this agreement,” said NECR General Chairman Kevin Moore, who was on the negotiating team with Division 521 Local Chairman Kevin Cullanine, assigned National Vice President Randy Fannon, and now-retired National Vice President Mike Twombly.

The 384-mile NECR (see map, left) interchanges with CN at East Alburgh, Vt.; Canadian Pacific Kansas City at Burlington, Vt., and Bellows Falls, Vt.; CSX at Palmer, Mass.; Norfolk Southern at Brattleboro, Vt., and Millers Falls, Mass.; The Vermont Railway at Burlington, Vt., Montpelier Junction, Vt., White River Junction, Vt., and Bellows Falls, Vt.; Massachusetts Central at Palmer, Mass.; Pan Am Southern Railway (now run by Genesee & Wyoming’s Berkshire & Eastern) at Brattleboro, Vt., and Millers Falls, Mass.; and Providence & Worcester (a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary) at Willimantic, Conn., and New London, Conn.

In related developments, contract ratification voting is under way for BLET members at Missouri & Northern Arkansas and Portland & Western, both of which are Genesee & Wyoming subsidiaries. Ballots are due Oct. 11. Also, BLET members on July 21 ratified a new five-year on-property agreement that secures a general wage increase of 29% with the 154-mile Illinois & Midland.