August 21, 2024 – Today, TCU & BRC reached a tentative agreement with CSX Transportation. The tentative agreement is a five (5) year term which provides 17.5% in General Wage Increases (18.77% compounded), improves vacation agreement entitlements, secures improvements in health and welfare benefits while maintaining the current 15% monthly contribution and modifies local work rules currently in effect.
This is the largest wage increase received on CSX in any round of bargaining outside of a Presidential Emergency Board in over twenty (20) years. It provides the first meaningful improvements to the National Vacation agreement in over fifty (50) years. It also marks the first time our members will have a new agreement in place before the expiration of the current agreement.
Our current contract with the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) is through the end of this year. TCU began negotiating with the NCCC following the membership survey from local lodges with members in national bargaining. The survey results were clear, our members wanted an agreement without waiting for years of unnecessary delay which has long been the standard in this industry.
It became obvious there was no path to reach an agreement in a timely manner with the NCCC, and negotiations would be at a standstill. TCU National President Maratea instructed representatives to engage with each of the individual Carriers at the local level in attempt to reach agreements. Bargaining locally would also allow us the opportunity to address a number of Carrier specific work rule issues which are often abandoned in national bargaining or when part of a larger coalition.
“I cannot recall a time in my entire career when there has been a new contract in place before the expiration of the current contract with any of the freight Carriers. Our members made it clear this needed to change. I am proud to let our members know we have met that goal and reached a tentative agreement that will provide real wage growth, improve vacation and improve our great health insurance benefits. And we did it without years of unnecessary delay and stall tactics. This is a truly historic moment in negotiations with the freight railroads and I am proud that TCU is leading the way. I appreciate the hard work of our entire negotiating committee and we look forward to getting the ratification process underway in the coming days,” said TCU National President Artie Maratea.
“While we hoped to be able to reach an agreement with the NCCC, that wasn’t the case. CSX did the right thing and stayed at the bargaining table and reached a fair agreement for our members. CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs promised he would do everything possible to reach a fair and timely agreement. He kept his word and I appreciate that. The other Carriers should take note and can be assured we are expecting timely agreements from every one of them as well.”
Copies of the Tentative Agreement and documents for ratification will be distributed over the next few days. Questions can be sent via email to TCUTA@TCUnion.org.
Full copy of the TCU CSX Tentative Agreement here.
Full copy of the BRC CSX Tentative Agreement here.