CSX employees represented by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have voted to ratify a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Class I railroad.
The new contract for nearly 4,200 union members was ratified by a 2 to 1 margin, with 1,663 (66.52%) voting in favor and 802 (32.08%) voting against; there were 35 blank votes (1.4%), BMWED reported Jan. 10. The deal includes “raises of 18.77% compounded over the life of the contract, a reduction in the time needed to accumulate vacation, improved health and welfare benefits, and significant improvements to local work rules,” according to the union.
To date, CSX has ratified agreements with 10 labor unions, covering 13 different work groups and accounting for 42% of its unionized workforce, the railroad reported Jan. 10. The terms of the agreements are aligned, it noted, “providing equivalent packages of improved wages, health care, and paid time off benefits.”
“The ratification by the BMWED marks an important advancement in our ongoing collaboration with union leadership,” said Joe Hinrichs, President and CEO of CSX and Railway Age’s 2025 Railroader of the Year. “CSX remains dedicated to cultivating a workplace environment where every employee feels valued, respected, included, and appreciated. Our collective focus continues to be on improving safety, efficiency, and service together as ONE CSX to build a stronger foundation for our future success.”
“To secure this contract now, improving many important rules, locking in bonus structures for vital positions, attaining gains in vacation and health insurance without increases in employee contributions, is important and unprecedented in modern rail bargaining,” BMWED President Tony Cardwell commented. “Members repeatedly said we need faster bargaining, money in our pockets now, and politicians and bureaucrats out of our bargaining process. This has been accomplished.”
“Railroaders are some of the strongest workers in America, and this contract makes sure they will be paid and treated fairly for years to come,” added Brian Thompson, General Chairman of the BMWED’s Allied Federation.
“This contract is a victory not just for CSX workers but also for each and every man and woman in this country who keep our railroads running,” said Jason Graham, General Chairman of BMWED’s Alliance System Federation. “Our members stood together and are rewarded for their hard work.”
According to CSX, the railroad “remains committed to working with other unions and crafts to reach similar agreements and continuing to partner with employees to make meaningful improvements in their work environment.”
Further Reading:
- NCCC, ATDA Ratify National Agreement
- NCCC, NCFO Reach Tentative Agreement; ARSF Members Ratify CBAs
- NCCC Announces Three Tentative Union Deals
- Thoughts from CSX Investor Day 2024
- CSX Secures More Labor Agreements
- CSX’s Hinrichs: ‘Ready to Meet Our Customers’ Needs’ (UPDATED 10/17, TD Cowen Insight, PLUS Interview With Joe Hinrichs on 3Q24, Weather Impacts, Labor)
- Unconventional Labor Talks Begin
- ‘This Scenario Is a Bit Unusual’
- CSX, NS, BNSF Ratify Five-Year Agreements With SMART-MD
- CSX Expands Labor Agreements With IBB, TCU
- CSX Tentative Agreements with BRC and SMART-TD GO-049 Extended to 12 Unions (Updated Aug. 23)
- Canada’s Arbitration Mandate and the Hinrichs Maneuver
