Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) announced on Wednesday a tentative agreement with the final general committee of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division (SMART-TD).
As the largest labor union within the company, SMART-TD represents train conductors across Norfolk Southern's expansive 22-state network. The latest agreement ensures comprehensive coverage for all Norfolk Southern conductors, thereby increasing the proportion of the union workforce covered by early tentative agreements to nearly 65%.
This tentative agreement, pending ratification, is timed four months ahead of the commencement of the next collective bargaining round. It promises an average annual wage increase of 3.5% over the upcoming five years.
Moreover, under the terms of the agreement, covered railroaders will receive additional vacation benefits earlier in their careers and see enhancements to an already robust suite of health care provisions.
In the preceding two weeks, Norfolk Southern has reached tentative agreements with nine of its 13 unions, supplementing the efforts with SMART-TD.
