September 16, 2008 Norfolk Southern and BLET Reach New Agreement NORFOLK, VA. – Norfolk Southern Railway Company and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have reached a new agreement that will continue to link engineer compensation to company performance through 2014. The BLET has participated in such a bonus program since 1996. The new agreement covers approximately 5,000 engineers and provides each engineer the opportunity for an annual bonus payment based on company financial and service performance metrics and, for the first time, his or her work availability in the previous year. Other highlights of the agreement include annual wage increases totaling 19 percent from 2009 through 2014, enhancements to the BLET’s 401k plan, increased incentive pay for weekend/holiday work, reduced employee costs for the BLET disability plan, and increased pay for engineers who assist in training new engineers. The annual wage increases average approximately 3.2 percent per year. Eligible engineers will receive up to two lump-sum payments: a signing bonus of $1,200 by Dec. 1, 2008, and a lump-sum bonus payment of $3,500 by Jan. 1, 2009. BLET General Chairman Ray Wallace said, “The BLET has enjoyed a strong partnership with Norfolk Southern over the years. This agreement ensures that Norfolk Southern’s success will continue to be financially beneficial to our members.” BLET General Chairman Cole Davis added, “Engineers are an integral part of Norfolk Southern operations. The financial package in this agreement ensures that our members are compensated for their contributions to the company’s performance.” BLET General Chairman Willard Knight concluded, “This agreement recognizes and rewards the hard work that our members perform each day to improve Norfolk Southern’s prosperity.” Norfolk Southern Vice President Labor Relations Harold Mobley said, “Reaching a long term agreement that links engineer compensation to our corporate goals will allow all of us to continue to focus on the railroad’s safety, operating efficiency, and customer service.” Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia , serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing superior connections to western rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America ’s largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.
This contract IS a joke! Corporate goals...yea rake us over the coals is what they will do, and our Union brothers/sisters that voted for it were those that seen the money waved in front of their nose's. This contract splits the engineers craft as you now have a protected and a non-protected engineers thanks to this contract...much less it is selling the Conductors craft down the road for one man through trains. Anytime you eliminate jobs it is not good. Whats even better is a lot of engineers will be cut back to Conductor or whatever they can hold down the road...sure hate it if your one of those that voted for it and now your going to reap the benifits of the money waved in front of your faces by getting cut back for a LONG time.
Looks to me like the big bucks up-front was a carrot...the stick is in the fine print. There's some fairly good stuff in it short-term but it's a smoke screen for giving the carriers what they really want...a crack in the door to single or no-man operations and yet another split in the classes of employees. Divide and conquer. Those of us that survive will all be on extra lists till we retire at this rate.
Ahhh I wasn't the only one who saw the fine print either. I really wonder what the meaning of the Scopa rule will be. Just goes to show that if you put a little bonus up front they will vote yes for anything. We have a lot of oldheads that voted yes to the contract because it coushins their retirement more. Wow we were sold out before we were hired on and now being sold out so they can retire a little better. Hopefully the extra money will help pay for a nice funeral shortly after they retire.
Yep, it is the same story industry-wide. The old heads seem to only care about themselves. The national average is 1 retirement check drawn before a railroader pulls the pin for good. I've known quite a few locally that never even received their first check.
At least they didn't take away your toilets, did they? You know when the company issues a glowing press release, they have really screwed the employees. Good luck, guys. Frank
LOL. It almost took an act of Congress to get rid of the bags in the first place...I hope they don't take 'em back now! If that's the case, then from what I've read lately...we're toast.:we-eek:
The carriers have a history of dangling a carrot in front of the rank & files face and disguising it for what it really is.... feces! Example....... The 130 mile basic day! Carrot = You'll get paid for 130 miles now as your basic day v 100 miles! Truth = You'll be working 130 miles at the 100 mile rate thereby "giving" the carrier 30 miles. Yup, it's self evident that the NS scored a big one on that contract by glowing prose in their public announcements. BOHICA my brother and sister rails, BOHICA!!!! CT
