BLET to Vote on Tentative CSXT-Springfield Terminal Implementing Agreement

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor

Ballots are in the mail to members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Divisions 72 and 191 to vote on a tentative implementing agreement regarding CSX Transportation’s acquisition of the Springfield Terminal Railway (a Pan Am Railway affiliate). The agreement will govern about 30 BLET members.

According to BLET, the tentative implementing agreement addresses changes in operations and the merging of workforces following the acquisition. Under the proposed implementing agreement, the CSX/BLET Single System Agreement would become the applicable collective bargaining agreement for locomotive engineers formerly employed by Springfield Terminal. Additional proposed changes are detailed in the ratification packet that was mailed to affected members on Dec. 20, 2023. Ballots are due on Monday, Jan. 15., 2024.

The BLET negotiating team was comprised of General Chairman Kevin Moore (STR-DH-SLR-MMA), Vice General Chairman Matt LaFrenier (STR-DH-SLR-MMA), General Chairman Pat Driscoll (Conrail/CSXT Northern District), General Chairman Brian Farkas (CSXT-Northern Lines), National Vice President Alan Holdcraft, and National Vice President Randy Fannon,

In late 2020, CSX announced plans to acquire the Pan Am Railways system, which operates throughout New England, for $601 million. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved the acquisition in April of 2022.