NCCC, NCFO Reach Tentative Agreement; ARSF Members Ratify CBAs

The tentative agreement between NCCC, which is organized within the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC), and NCFO is the fourth national agreement this month, following similar agreements with the Transportation Communications Union (TCU), the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Mechanical Department (SMART-MD).

The NCCC reached these national agreements, which are subject to member ratification on the railroads where they apply, on behalf of represented railroads that had not previously reached local agreements with these unions.

“With four tentative agreements within the first 20 days of the national bargaining round, we’re seeing strong momentum in our national bargaining efforts,” said NRLC and NCCC Chairman Jeff Rodgers. “The NCCC’s tentative agreement with NFCO follows the pattern established by early local agreements between carriers and unions and reflects the industry’s commitment to promptly addressing employee priorities.”

National bargaining began with the exchange of Section 6 notices Nov. 1. In recent months, many NCCC member railroads reached local agreements with several rail labor organizations. The NCCC’s Section 6 notices propose prompt resolution of the national bargaining round based on the pattern established by these local agreements, with terms that would:

• “Increase pay by 18.8% over five years.
• “Enhance world-class health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate.
• “Give employees access to more paid vacation time earlier in their careers.”

The new local agreements, which already cover thousands of rail employees, build on the historic 24% wage increase from the 2022 bargaining round, according to NRLC. Wages for employees covered by these agreements will increase by nearly 50% (compounded) from 2020–2029.

The NCCC’s goal, NRLC says, is to negotiate national agreements that build on the freight rail industry’s core strengths: “safe, high-paying jobs for employees with professional growth opportunities, affordable and reliable service for customers, and ongoing reinvestment in infrastructure and innovation.”

In related news, ARSF members on the TRAA and NPBL have ratified new collective bargaining agreements (download below), BMWED-IBT reported on Nov. 25.

The ARSF members on both properties were extremely engaged throughout the process and that diligence has led to significant improvements to the contract, most notably gains to the health and welfare portion without concessions, the union noted. General wage increases of 18.77% for the life of the five-year contract are identical on both properties. Members on the NPBL will also see an increase of their CDL differential.

In addition to these improvements, members will receive an increase in Health & Welfare benefits and new vacation accrual starting Jan. 1, 2025. Furthermore, wage increases will take effect in July 2025, “marking a significant moment where contract terms were maintained without subjecting members to the delay of backpay,” according to BMWED.

“The contracts on both the TRRA and NPBL properties were achieved by the engagement, dedication and involvement of our members on both properties,” said ARSF General Chairman Johnny Long. “Yes, these are smaller properties, but they are and remain vital to our Brotherhood and the ARSF. The members on both carriers understood their issues and demanded their voices be heard at the bargaining table. They stood mighty and were able to reach agreements that will increase their pay and benefits and improve their work lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to stand with them and deliver two contracts that will provide stability over the next five years.”