National Carriers Conference Committee

Freight rail carriers bristle at BMWED requests for more concessions

The U.S. freight railroads involved in collective bargaining with the rail labor unions have panned the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division’s counteroffer for a new labor agreement.

“Now is not the time to introduce new demands that rekindle the prospect of a railroad strike,” said the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), the group representing the freight railroads in contract negotiations, late Wednesday. 

Six other unions have already ratified their agreements, the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freight-rail-carriers-bristle-at-bmwed-requests-for-more-concessions

2 more freight rail unions reach tentative agreements for new labor contract

A train hauling intermodal containers passes by under a bridge.

Two more railroad unions have reached tentative labor agreements with the U.S. freight railroads right before Labor Day weekend.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) both said the labor agreements are based on recommendations from the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), a three-person independent committee appointed by President Joe Biden that sought to come up with ways that the unions and railroads could settle their...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/2-more-freight-rail-unions-reach-tentative-agreements-for-new-labor-contract

Big business calls on Biden to avert rail strike

Rail crew worker standing next to train

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling on President Joe Biden to help resolve a dispute between the country’s Class 1 railroads and 12 rail unions to avert a possible rail strike beginning July 18.

In a letter sent to the White House on Wednesday, U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark warned that the decision last month by the National Mediation Board (NMB) to release the railroads and unions from mediation and begin a 30-day cooling off period “presents a new challenge to the U.S. business...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/big-business-calls-on-biden-to-avert-rail-strike

Unions want arbitration for stalled negotiations, not payment advances

A photograph of a man preparing to climb onto a train.

The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition has rejected the offer from the Class I railroads to advance payments to union members amid an ongoing impasse at the negotiating table. 

The coalition, which represents the 10 rail unions negotiating with the Class I railroads over a new labor agreement, on Monday reiterated its stance from January that arbitration would be the best step moving forward. At that time, the unions applied to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a federal mediator because of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/unions-want-arbitration-for-stalled-negotiations-not-payment-advances

Class I railroads offer advance payments amid contract negotiations

A photograph of workers inspecting railroad track.

The group representing the Class I railroads in contract negotiations with U.S. rail unions is proposing advance payments, but one union rebuffed the offer, calling the amount inadequate.

The National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) is offering advance payments to members of the rail unions currently participating in the negotiations. 

The advance payments would address impacts that rail employees have encountered from the COVID-19 pandemic. They are being offered because the contract...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/class-i-railroads-offer-advance-payments-amid-contract-negotiations

Labor, railroads tussle over contract negotiation ‘dead end,’ seek mediation

Ten rail unions have declared an impasse with U.S. freight railroads over bargaining for a new labor agreement and have asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a federal mediator to assist with negotiations — a move the railroads support.

The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC), which consists of the unions, said discussions stalled after more than two years of bargaining. Because of the stalemate, the coalition is seeking a mediator, per the Railway Labor Act.

The unions said the National...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/labor-railroads-tussle-over-contract-negotiation-dead-end-seek-mediation