Pacific Harbor Line Signs 5-Year Union Contract

The Pacific Harbor Line, Inc. (PHL), an Anacostia Rail Holdings Co. subsidiary, has signed a new five-year labor agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).

The contract, which took effect Sept. 20, governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 150 of PHL’s 189 employees. It includes wage increases, a matching 401(k) savings plan, a signing bonus, and no increases in employee health and welfare contributions for the life of the contract.

The contract was ratified Sept. 4 by a majority of the BLET’s PHL members, and signed Sept. 15.

PHL, the Railway Age 2009 Short Line of the Year, provides rail switching services to customers in the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. It dispatches all BNSF Railway and Union Pacific trains within the ports.