BMWED, D&H Ratify Agreement

A new collective bargaining agreement has been ratified by members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) working at New York-based Delaware & Hudson Railway Company (D&H), the union reported Oct. 23.

The deal (download below) covers D&H employees operating as part of Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Soo Line Corporation. Canadian Pacific, which earlier this year merged with Kansas City Southern to form CPKC, purchased D&H in 1991. The railroad connects New York with Montreal, Quebec, and New England. Norfolk Southern in 2015 acquired the 282-mile D&H South Line from CP; it comprises two lines linking Schenectady, N.Y., to Sunbury, Pa., and Delanson, N.Y., to Voorheesville, N.Y.

According to BMWED, the collective bargaining agreement “closely mimics the findings of Presidential Emergency Board 250 and its recommendations.” While D&H was not party to the PEB as it did not bargain with the National Carriers Conference Committee, the recommendations provided the “framework in which to get an equitable contract agreement,” the union said.

“Members on the Delaware & Hudson will see substantial raises and other away-from-home improvements as a result of this contract,” said American Rail System Federation General Chairman Johnny Long, who represents the maintenance-of-way members on D&H. “Throughout the process, we received great help and participation from the members on the property to negotiate and finalize this deal. I’m proud of the work that was put in to achieve these gains and thank everyone for their diligence and effort.”

In related developments, BMWED members working at Michigan-based Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in May, and BNSF on Sept. 18 reported reaching a tentative agreement with BMWED that includes paid sick days.