NCCC renews request for mediation in RR Labor Talks

[Anonymous]

FREIGHT RAILROADS REFILE APPLICATIONS FOR MEDIATION WITH SEVEN MEMBER UNIONS OF TEAMSTERS COALITION: Citing both "significant challenges and unparalleled opportunities" for the railroad industry, the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) has again asked the National Mediation Board for help in resolving disputes with seven rail unions. In separate applications filed Friday, the NCCC asked for mediation with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the six other unions that comprise the Teamsters-led rail labor coalition. 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 productive negotiations would continue. "This bargaining round presents both significant challenges and unparalleled opportunities to continue the railroad industry's transformation into a more vibrant, efficient and successful enterprise through measures that will benefit both employees and their companies," Robert F. Allen, chairman of the NCCC, said in a letter to the NMB. He noted that the 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, which represents about 15 percent of U.S. rail workers in the current negotiations, abruptly cancelled a June 9-10 bargaining session after meeting with industry negotiators over three days in May. Allen said he regretted the BLET's action, which he said will delay rather than advance mutual efforts to reach a voluntary agreement. Besides the BLET, the NCCC also filed for mediation with the American Train Dispatchers Association; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees; Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers; National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. The National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference, headquartered in Washington, DC, is the national bargaining agent for the 32 railroads, including all of the nation's major freight carriers, involved in the current round of bargaining with 13 major rail unions.

From Railpace site.