Anacostia Rail Holdings subsidiary Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) and 145 members of BLET (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen) Division 214 (Long Beach) have ratified a three-year extension of their current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) ahead of schedule. The agreement, they said, “represents a step forward in labor relations and underscores the commitment of both parties to fair working conditions and operational excellence.”
Effective May 1, 2024 through Sept. 20, 2027, the extension, which covers 145 of PHL’s 180 employees, was ratified on July 12 by a 91% majority. The CBA extension “sets competitive wage structures, while maintaining the same lower-than-rail-industry employee contributions for health benefits, so that the PHL workforce receives fair compensation for their critical role in the nation’s supply chain at the busiest port complex in North America,” PHL noted. “The ratification of this agreement marks a milestone, emphasizing the power of dialogue and cooperation in achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Both BLET and PHL look forward to a productive partnership as they continue to serve the transportation needs of our communities.”
The agreement includes general wage increases of 5% retroactive to May 2024, 3% in September 2024, 4% in 2025, and 4% in 2026. The BLET negotiating team consisted of Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment (UP-WL GCA) General Chairman Brian Carr and Division 214 Local Chairman Jose Covarrubias, with assistance from National Vice President Gary Best.
“This is a great win for the organization and our members,” Carr said. “The contract contains no changes to our health and medical plan and provides 13% wage increases over two years. PHL and the organization have worked well together through this process to ensure no disruptions to the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and we look forward to working together in the future.”
“Our employees are the backbone of our operations,” PHL President, Otis Cliatt II said. “This CBA extension ensures that they are fairly compensated and that we maintain a safe and reliable rail network. It also prevents any potential disruption to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach operations, which are critical links to our economy.”
“Today’s contract ratification as well as the PHL Employee Retention Program announced earlier this year illustrate the key role that locomotive engineers and trainmen play in the railroad’s economic success,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said. BLET in January reported securing a retention agreement, including up to $18,000 in bonus payments, for its PHL members.
BLET Division 214 has represented PHL employees since the railroad was formed in 1998. Subsequently, union employment has grown from 27 employees to more than 145 today.
