Earlier this week, the United Transportation Union (UTU) served “Section Six” notices to railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC). The notices include the union’s proposed national contract amendments affecting wages, rules and working conditions.

A national contract between the UTU and NCCC — which covers about 40,000 union members — becomes amendable on Jan. 1, 2010. During the current round of national contract bargaining with the UTU, the NCCC will serve as the chief negotiator for more than 30 U.S. railroads, including the Class Is. CN, Canadian Pacific and Amtrak bargain individually with the UTU.

Among the amendments in its Section 6 notice, the UTU proposes a series of general wage increases every six months beginning Jan. 1, the elimination of a two-tier pay system, cost-of-living wage adjustments, increased meal allowances, and a guarantee that furloughed employees called back to work will be given a minimum of 60 days of work and pay.

Meanwhile, the NCCC served Section Six notices to carmen and clerks represented by the Transportation Communications Union.

The union is finalizing its notices and plans to serve them to the NCCC on Nov. 16, in coordination with several other rail labor unions.