BLET members to consider CSX pact; TCU members ratify Bessemer and Lake Erie contract

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) recently reached a tentative agreement with CSX Transportation and mailed ratification ballots to members late last week.

Active BLET members employed by CSX are eligible to submit ratification votes by Dec. 15. The tentative agreement governs pay rates and work rules for more than 4,800 locomotive engineers at CSX.

Meanwhile, Transportation Communications Union (TCU) members employed at the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Co. (B&LE) have unanimously ratified a new agreement.

The contract provides wage increases of 18.6 percent over a six-year period. The workers will receive retroactive pay hikes of 2 percent on July 1, 2010; 2.5 percent on July 1, 2011; 4.3 percent on July 1, 2012; 3 percent on July 1, 2013; and 3.8 percent on July 1, 2014. Another 3 percent wage increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

Cost-of-living increases and the continuation of health and welfare benefits also are included in the new contract, TCU officials said in a press release.

A CN subsidiary, the B&LE operates about 139 miles of track in northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio.