Labor Briefs: IBEW, BLET
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
From left to right: Bi-State Development President & CEO Taulby Roach; Bi-State Development Board Chairman Herbert Simmons; IBEW Local 2 Business Manager Ken Pebbles; and IBEW Local 309 Asst. Business Manager Mark Link
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has secured a new labor contract with the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners. Also, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached tentative contract agreements with the South Buffalo Railway Company (SBRR) and the Illinois Railway (IR).
The Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 gave its official approval to a new labor contract with IBEW Local 2 and Local 309. Members of both union locals are employed at Bi-State Development and Metro Transit.
According to Bi-State Development, under the contract, which covers a four-year term, retroactive to July 2022 and expiring in June 2026, IBEW members will receive a 5% wage increase the first year, and a 3% increase for each of the next three years. Approximately 60 individuals represented by IBEW Local 2 and Local 309 are electricians, facility electricians, signal electricians, traction power electricians and sign workers.
Bi-State Development says it is currently negotiating a new contract with representatives from the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 788. ATU Local 788 represents Metro Transit operators, mechanics, and clerical and maintenance workers.
BLET announced Jan. 13 that it has reached tentative contract agreements with short line railroads SBRR and IR.
The BLET’s IR members belong to Division 682 (Hammond, Ind.), and the SBRR members belong to Division 16 (Independence, Ohio).
BLET members on these roads are asked to check their mailboxes for ballots, which the National Division mailed in early January 2023. Ballots for both agreements will be counted on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
