The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E) have ratified a new agreement governing rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 32 members.
The union on Dec. 31 reported that the five-year contract provides general wage increases of 22.5% over the life of the contract (5% at signing, 5% in 2025, 4% in 2026, 4% in 2027, and 4.5% in 2028). Additionally, it “outlines a 24-hour rest cycle for extra board employees, which they never had before, where the rest will initiate at 1600 the day prior and expire at 0400 the day after,” and “eliminates supplemental spare rules and includes increased meal allowances,” according to BLET.
General Chairman Ben Martin, National Vice President L. Randy Fannon Jr., and Division 112 Local Chairman Nick Paige represented the union, which noted that General Chairman Martin said BLET made no concessions in the new deal.
B&E on Sept. 1, 2023, took over as operator of Pan Am Southern (PAS), nearly 18 months after CSX acquired Pan Am Systems, Inc. and its short line subsidiaries.
PAS runs between Mechanicville, N.Y., and Ayer, Mass., (see map below) and is jointly owned by CSX and Norfolk Southern.
