BLET: Ballots Mailed on Tentative Implementing Agreement
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
(IANR Photograph)
About 550 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will vote on a tentative implementing agreement regarding CN’s proposed acquisition of Iowa Northern, the union reported in the May 3 edition of its weekly email newsletter.
“The tentative implementing agreement addresses changes in operations and the merging of workforces if the acquisition is approved by the federal Surface Transportation Board [STB],” BLET said. “Under the proposed implementing agreement, the BLET’s CN-IC [Illinois Central] contract would become the applicable collective bargaining agreement for about 20 locomotive engineers currently employed by Iowa Northern. Additional proposed changes are detailed in the ratification packet that was mailed this week [week of April 28].
The members’ voting ballots are due May 30, 2024.
According to CN, the transaction “represents a meaningful opportunity to support the growth of local business by creating single-line service to North American destinations, while preserving access to existing carrier options.” The Canadian Class I expects a decision this year.
Iowa Northern serves upper Midwest agricultural and industrial markets, hauling such commodities as biofuels and grain. According to the regional’s website, it handles more than 60,000 carloads per year. Established in 1984, Iowa Northern runs diagonally through Iowa northwest to southeast from Manly to Cedar Rapids, with branch lines from Waterloo to Oelwein and from Forest City to Belmond (see map above). When a group led by Daniel Sabin, a second-generation railroader and current Chairman, took over management in 1994, the regional handled 15,000 revenue cars annually and its average track speed was under 10 mph, according to Iowa Northern.
IANR also interchanges with Union Pacific (UP) at Manly; Canadian Pacific Kansas City at Nora Springs; and UP and Railway Age two-time Short Line of the Year honoree Cedar Rapids and Iowa City (to Iowa Interstate Railroad) at Cedar Rapids.
“If the tentative implementing agreement is approved, collective bargaining rights for the Iowa Northern locomotive engineers would fall under the jurisdiction of the BLET’s CN-IC General Committee of Adjustment,” BLET reported. According to the union, General Chairman Billy Evans described the situation as a “‘win-win,’ with Iowa Northern engineers gaining more protection and better wages under the BLET contract, and with the CN-IC gaining more business by adding the Iowa Northern and its customers to its portfolio.”
Further Reading
- USDA, NGFA Weigh In on Proposed CN-IANR Combination
- STB Denies CPKC’s Petition Seeking Reconsideration of the Board’s Prior Decision to Classify CN’s Acquisition of Iowa Northern a “Minor Transaction”
- Shippers, Small Roads Weigh In on CN-IANR Merger Proposal
