Railroads’ Bargaining Panel Says It Will Open Labor Negotiations

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he National Carriers' Conference Committee said Tuesday it had voluntarily withdrawn its applications for mediation with seven unions that make up the Teamsters-led rail labor coalition, opening the way for negotiations to resume next week.

The NCCC, part of the of the National Railway Labor Conference, is the national bargaining agent for 32 railroads, including all of the nation's major freight carriers, involved in the current round of bargaining with 13 major rail unions.

The group said it filed applications with the National Mediation Board in March after the seven unions belonging to the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition refused to bargain pending agreement on various procedural issues.

"We're pleased that we have resolved these procedural issues and that we can now begin substantive negotiations with the unions," NCC Chairman Robert Allen said in a statement.