Timeline of the 2020 IAM Railroad Machinist contract process.
See all updated Agreements HERE
Click Here for step by step process(Link)
11/8/2022
Last update for this round. I will keep this page active for future reference. For BNSF employees raises will be effective Dec 16, 2022. Backpay will be sent Dec. 30, 2022. Final letter with vote results posted below.
Benefit and Monthly Payment Rate:
Medical + Rx (non-hospital association rate): $1,972.43
Dental: $68.50
Vision: $8.16
Life/AD&D Coverage: $12.30
Total: $2,061.39
15% cost-sharing contribution (proposed): $309.21
Final National Negotiation Results
11/5/2022
Approximately 4,900 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 19 have voted to accept the latest Tentative Agreement with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC).
IAM District 19 released the following statement:
“IAM District 19 members have accepted the Tentative Agreement. We are confident that this is the best deal for our members. District 19 leadership worked day and night to communicate the agreement’s benefits and what would happen if it was rejected.
“With 59% of the membership participating in the vote, the agreement was ratified with 52% of voting members accepting the agreement.
“Our union recognizes that the agreement wasn’t accepted overwhelmingly, so our team will continue conversing with our members at our rail yards across the nation. This agreement is the first step in addressing some of the issues in our industry. Our fight was able to shine a light on the work-life balance issues as well as the lack of proper paid sick leave. Our union will continue to amplify the deficiencies in the carriers’ sick leave and attendance policies. We want to thank IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. for his steady leadership and counsel throughout this process.
“We look forward to sitting down with the carriers to find a solution to the overtime policies in our industry. The IAM is grateful for the support of President Biden, Secretary of Labor Walsh, and other allies for creating the space that allowed us to work towards a solution for our members. This agreement is essential in giving our members the respect and dignity they have earned during their careers.”
Highlights of the improved Ratified Agreement include:
- A Cap in Healthcare Costs: A monthly Health and Welfare Plan employee contributions limit to no more than $398.97 through 2025 until a new agreement is reached.
- Single Room Occupancy: For the first time, we will have codified language in our agreement requiring your employers to provide roadway mechanics with their own sleeping rooms while on travel. Previously, this could have been changed by the employers without further negotiation.
- Travel Expenses and Per Diem: The carriers have agreed to bargain with us within 60 days of ratification over travel expenses and per diem.
- Overtime: For the first time, we also got the carriers to agree to a joint study on overtime, forced overtime policies, and overtime meal options.
- A 24% compounded general wage increase.
- A $5,000 service recognition bonus.
- Full retroactive pay, within 60 days of contract ratification.
- An additional paid day off for all members, including a paid day off for all newly hired employees hired before September 30 of each year.
- Enhanced hearing benefits and added coverage for diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- A “Me-Too” clause ensures IAM Rail Division members will receive the same additional value if another union reaches an agreement that improves the terms of this agreement.
IAM District 19 represents Locomotive Machinists, Roadway Mechanics, and Facility Maintenance Personnel at NCCC freight rail carriers.
11/4/2022
Polls are closed. Will update here when results are shared
10/31/2022
The latest Tentative Agreement from District 19.
Voting Times:
Opens Monday, October 31, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Closes Friday, November 4, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Follow this link if your already registered
District 19 Tentative Agreement vote
If not registered follow this link and register now.
REGISTER NOW
Link to new TA (Click Here)
09/27/2022
09/22/2022
09/19/2022
Ratification Results(PDF Link)
09/14/2022
Ratification failed. See below link. We have extended our cooling off period to Sept 29.
9/13/2022
Polls are now closed. As soon as the results are posted I will share.
9/09/2022
Voting has started Click the following links to register or to vote. Voting ends Sept 13.
Register~https://iamballot.iamaw.org/Register/19/
Vote~https://iamballot.iamaw.org/account/Login
09/03/2022
If you registered for the strike vote, choose the already registered option.
Voting Starts Sept 9@12am est and ends Sept 13@ 5pm est.
Use this link to register yourself–https://iamballot.iamaw.org/Register/19/
Use this link if your already registered—https://iamballot.iamaw.org/Account/Login
Before your vote read the Tentative Agreement. See below links
08/29/2022
District 19 has formally reached a tentative agreement. (Tentative Agreement)
Statement from PDCG Kyle Loos (Link to Statement)
Voting to ratify will be electronic starting Sept 9,2022 @12am, ending Sept 13,2022 @5pm est. QR codes and links will be shared with members so they can vote. Make sure your address is up to date with District 19 (Click to update)
08/16/2022
PEB 250 Recommendations(Link)
08/01/2022
PEB update from District 19 (PDF)
07/24/2022
July 24,2022 Union contract update. (LINK) Union Proposal( PDF) Carrier Proposals (PDF)
07/20/2022
President Biden’s Executive order 14077 (PDF)
07/15/2022
President Biden appoints a PEB (link)
(Update 07/17/2022)
Chair~ Attorney Ira F. Jaffee
Also named to the PEB are attorney David P. Twomey and attorney Barbara C. Deinhardt.
More Info From RAILWAY AGE
07/14/2022
Update from PDGC Kyle Loose (PDF)
07/09/2022
Strike vote results . District Lodge 19
“PDGC Kyle Loos announced today that the IAMAW District 19 National Freight Strike Authorization vote was supported by 99.4% of those voting, thank you for the overwhelming support as we continue to fight for an agreement worthy of your consideration. We will announce any new developments as they are available to us. Once again, we wish to show our appreciation for your support as the process continues.”
07/05/2022
Voting is active. Make sure your registered here.
Register at: (links disabled, voting already took place)
https://iamballot.iamaw.org/Register/19( Disabled link)
Vote at:
https://iamballot.iamaw.org/?fbclid=IwAR34vSsiS4rLkk70aKAWZurYE9_uCFV6VphEJNH2Fngv7y2z1uE3UhE8Bdg&fs=e&s=cl(Disabled link)
06/23/2022
Letters for a strike vote have been mailed out please check with your local officers to update your info Voting will be electronic July 5- July 8
06/15/2022
We have been released from the NMB (PDF)
06/10/2022
Still nothing new to report See CBC release below(PDF link)
06/03/2022
2022.06.03_united_rail_unions_release
05/06/2022
04/25/2022
CBC Statement on national bargaining (PDF)
03/02/2022
The CBC and the NCCC have a scheduled meeting with Mediator Eva Durham for the National Negotiations conference session on Thursday March 31, 2022
01/25/2022
The Unions have finally requested Mediation. See below PR for more info
After more than two years of bargaining with the major U.S. Class 1 railroads, discussions completely stalled last week. Accordingly, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Railway Labor Act, top leaders of 10 rail unions applied to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for the assignment of a federal mediator to assist in our negotiations…..SEE MORE HERE
Reminder of the Unions proposal HERE. The NCCC info/ Proposals HERE
12/22/2021
No real updates. Next meeting will be held January 17, 18 and 19 2022 in San Diego Ca. General Chairman Juan Estrada will be attending. Updates hopefully to follow.
09/22/2021
Reminder of the Section 6 notices
IAM District 19 Section 6 notice
09/22/2021
Click HERE if PDF doesn’t load
07/31/2020
06/18/2020
Negotiations planned for May 6 and 7, 2020 were canceled. Negotiations were presumed to take place on June 15, 2020, However, nothing developed. Carriers are trying to shift significant cost of healthcare plan to employees and reduce benefits to our members. The way negotiations will proceed are undetermined at this point. They will be either face to face or through video conferencing. The Coalition has unanimously decided that face to face negotiations is the appropriate path for something so critical.
from GC Juan Estrada
02/26/2020
The Cost of Wage and Benefits for a Railroad Machinist
02/03/2020
NATIONAL FREIGHT AGREEMENT:
Our Coalition had our initial Negotiation session with the Carriers in December 2019. There were no proposals exchanged during this meeting. However, the Carrier hinted, that without a quick agreement, mediation was their preferred path to take. The Carrier’s believe the National Mediation Board is on their side. Remember, President Trump appointed the two most anti-union, anti-labor, board members in history of the NMB. Our next session will be held on February 26 and 27 in Washington, DC. There will be an update shortly after that meeting.
This round of negotiations has been the toughest that I have seen in my 25 years on the Railroad. With the 5-7% drop in car loading’s, the Carrier believes furloughs must happen to stay competitive in the rail business. Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific have both said there will be more furloughs throughout this year. To show the seriousness of our current situation, just in the past couple of weeks, NS furloughed 48 and UP furloughed 46 of our fellow working Machinists. A devastating blow to these members and their families. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration is on the Carrier’s side and not on the hardworking employees who do the actual work that truly makes the industry thrive. This Administration is clearly not offering up any help to us. Thankfully, we have a large coalition that is committed to stand by each other and fight with all we have against this corrupted management style.
Know this staff is dedicated to the membership and is working hard to make this District the best District ever.
J Michael Perry
PDGC
(originally post from District 19-The Corner Office)
01/16/2020
Today GC Estrada shared the dates for the negotiations
February 26- 27, 2020 Washington D.C.
April 1-2, 2020 Cleveland, OH
May 6-7, 2020 Omaha, NE
June 2-3, 2020 Washington, D.C.
July 28-29, 2020 Chicago, IL.
Our new General Chairman has started a new Facebook group to help communicate with us better. Check it out here, Juan Estrada: Shop Updates (Region 2: CA, ID, UT, OR)
01/09/2020
Today we received the Section 6 notice District 19 sent to the Carriers in November. Please read it here. Remember this is only the starting point in negotiations.
From the District 19 Lodge website, The Corner Office
Rail Chiefs announce formation of Coordinated Bargaining Coalition
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen / Teamsters Rail Conference (BLET)
• Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS)
• International Association of Machinists (IAM)
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB)
• National Conference of Firemen & Oilers/SEIU (NCFO)
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
• Transport Workers Union of America (TWU)
• Transportation Communications Union / IAM (TC
Please click on this link to read the full Coordinated Bargaining Coalition press release. Coordinated Bargaining Coalition press release.