Independence Ohio USA - Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a contract agreement with Kansas City Southern and the Dakota Minnesota & Eastern in the event of a CPKC merger, and with Pittsburgh’s Union Railroad.
 
Ratification of both agreements was announced 3 Mar 2023.
 
The KCS and DM&E agreement is effective only if the Surface Transportation Board approves the CPKC merger.
 
It covers DM&E engineers, active members of BLET Division 527, and those employed by the Gateway Western Railroad in the "consolidated territory" (Ottumwa, Iowa, to Pittsburg, Kansas, and East St. Louis, Missouri.).
 
Engineers will see varying pay increases under a provision paying for hours worked without regard to mileage run, will see expanded seniority rights in the consolidated district, and will be protected from loss of earnings as a result of the merger.
 
The Union Railroad agreement, which was ratified unanimously, is a four-year deal with wage increases of 16 percent, up to seven weeks of vacation, an employer match of 401(k) contributions up to $2,000, and up to three additional personal leave days per year.
 
Author unknown.