On July 27, 2009, the votes were counted on the special agreement proposed to increase foreman rates of pay. In a 2 to 1 tally, the membership decided in favor of the proposal by clear majority.

Over the last several months our union has been meeting with Amtrak in an attempt to negotiate a special agreement to raise the foreman rate of pay, provide more money to members who are required to obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), improve the 65-cent incentive allowance and increase the travel money for members in production gangs. There is a general consensus in the membership that foremen, and positions that require a CDL, are underpaid in relation to other positions under our contract and we wanted to address this issue. We also wanted to improve upon the incentive allowance and travel money because we were unable to accomplish this in our last general agreement.

A tentative agreement was reached which addressed all of these issues. This agreement required the approval of the membership before the BMWED can sign it and make it effective. The ratification process was handled by the American Arbitration Association (AAA). The AAA conducted the ratification independently of the Union and ensured that it is a fair process. Now ratified, the agreement will be implemented August 1, 2009.

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