Amtrak, BMWED agree to arbitration process for contract dispute

The Passenger Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (PRLBC) has finalized an agreement with Amtrak to arbitrate and settle a contract dispute with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The agreement calls for a three-member board to hear testimony and review the parties' arguments, then decide how the BMWED's Northeast Corridor agreement and Off-Corridor agreement, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen's agreements with Amtrak will be resolved, according to a statement issued by the Teamsters.

The agreement resulted from a mediation session led by National Mediation Board Chair Linda Puchala on July 16 and 17.

A decision and contract is expected to be in place by Jan. 1, 2014, at the latest, union officials said.