Railroads Refile for Mediation With Unions

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he National Carriers' Conference Committee said Tuesday it had again asked the National Mediation Board for help in resolving disputes with seven rail unions.

The NCCC, the bargaining agent for the nation's freight railroads, had filed applications for mediation in March, but voluntarily withdrew them May 10 in expectation that negotiations would produce new contracts, the group said.

In separate applications the NCCC asked for mediation with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the six other unions that comprise the Teamsters-led Rail Labor Coalition.

Robert Allen, chairman of the NCCC, said in a letter to the NMB that issues in the current round of negotiations, which began last Nov. 1, “are complicated but no more difficult” than matters that have been successfully resolved in past negotiations.

The BLET represents about 15% of U.S. rail workers in the current negotiations and cancelled a bargaining session last week after meeting with industry negotiators over three days in May, NCCC said.