National Carriers Conference, Union Pacific announce labor agreements

The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) today announced that members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED-IBT) — the industry’s second-largest labor organization — have voted to ratify a national collective bargaining agreement.

The agreement, covering 8,700 railroad employees at NCCC-represented carriers, "solidifies the momentum of the current bargaining round and reinforces the industry’s commitment to providing competitive pay and benefits," NCCC officials said in a press release.

"This ratification marks a significant moment in this bargaining round, demonstrating once again that collaboration by railroads and unions delivers real results for employees. Thousands of railroaders will soon benefit from the higher pay, enhanced benefits and stability that this agreement provides,” said Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the National Railway Labor Conference and NCCC. "We appreciate the engagement from BMWED and its members that led to this agreement.”

The BMWED agreement follows the framework established by the dozens of agreements to resolve the 2025 bargaining round that have been reached at both the national and local levels. The terms of those pattern agreements provide wage increases of 18.8% over five years; enhancements to health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate; and access to more paid vacation time for employees earlier in their careers.

Meanwhile, Union Pacific Railroad and the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers (NCFO) announced a tentative agreement that will be sent to NCFO members for ratification. The tentative agreement covers a five-year term and includes wage increases, additional vacation time, health and welfare benefits and minor work rule changes, UP officials said in a press release. UP and NCFO reached the tentative agreement before the current one expires July 1.