At the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen’s (BRS) 50th convention in Orlando, Fla., earlier this week, members re-elected W. Dan Pickett as president. He assumed the presidency in 1992 after serving as the union’s southeast region vice president and will remain in the post for the next four years.

Pickett began his railroading career working on a system construction gang for the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1965. He was elected recording-financial secretary of BRS local 77 in 1973, and later served as local chairman, grand lodge representative and national legislative representative.

BRS members also re-elected Walt Barrows as secretary-treasurer and Jerry Boles as vice president.

Meanwhile, CN announced yesterday that 48 conductors at its Northern Quebec Internal Short Line, who are represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, have ratified a new five-year agreement. Retroactive to Dec. 15, 2007, the contract provides wage increases and improved benefits.

In addition, the Transportation Communications Union (TCU) announced its ARASA maintenance-of-way supervisors reached a tentative agreement with Amtrak. The pact follows the economic terms previously stipulated in agreements with TCU clerks, carmen and onboard service members at Amtrak, according to the union. Ratification ballots from members are due on Aug. 5.

TCU also announced that Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority carmen and clerical workers ratified a new agreement. The pact provides general wage increases of 11.5 percent, beginning with a 1.5 percent hike on Nov. 7 and varying raises from 1 percent to 3.5 percent through 2014.