This is the first ratification reached by a Class I railroad with BLET, according to CSX. BLET noted that the agreement was ratified by a 53.6% majority of those who returned ballots.
CSX and BLET reached a tentative deal last month.
CSX said the new agreement mirrors the general wage increases, and health and welfare improvements from its agreements with 13 other unions.
“The contract provides compounded general wage increases of 18.77%,” BLET reported. “Engineers will earn five new days of paid sick leave per year under the deal, with the flexibility to convert two earned personal leave days into sick days. Engineers’ cost share for Health and Welfare does not change, while vision and dental benefits are expanded … The deal contains other provisions regarding three and four-day work week yard assignments, relief assignments, travel allowance, and an increase to the engineer certification allowance. The entire package is valued at a 21.4% increase in wages and benefits over the span of the agreement.”
Locomotive engineers make up approximately 20% of CSX’s frontline workforce. To date, nearly 75% of CSX unionized workers are now covered by new agreements reached within the last 10 months, according to the railroad. The most recent ratification was with the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers & Helpers (IBB).
The only remaining major workgroup at CSX not covered by new agreements or a tentative agreement are trainmen/conductors represented by the SMART Transportation Division. The railroad said it is currently engaged in bargaining with SMART-TD “to consolidate separate territories, workforces, and execute a single-system collective agreement.”
“The ratified agreement demonstrates the value of our partnership with BLET, our CSX General Chairmen, and our shared commitment to improving the day-to-day experience for our locomotive engineers,” said Joe Hinrichs, CSX President and CEO and Railway Age’s 2025 Railroader of the Year. “I want to thank our engineers for their unwavering dedication to our customers and the communities in which we live and work. This is a significant milestone for our people and the future of our railroad.”
“I congratulate the negotiating team on securing an agreement that increases wages and addresses quality of life issues specific to CSX,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said. “Adding paid sick days without concession has been a contentious issue that the BLET refused to concede. Again, I congratulate the entire team for resolving all the issues addressed in this agreement.”
The negotiating team comprised General Chairmen Chris Hyde (CSX-Eastern Lines GCA), Brian Farkas (CSX-Northern Lines GCA), Keith Kerley (CSX-Western Lines GCA), Pat Driscoll (CSX-Northern District GCA), and assigned National Vice President Randy Fannon.
Further Reading:
- CSX Signalman, Boilermakers Ratify Five-Year Deals
- CSX Secures Tentative Labor Agreements With BRS, IBB
- CSX, BMWED Ratify Five-Year Deal
- 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
