BNSF and Yardmasters Announce Ratification of New Five-Year Agreement
SMART-YM members ratify new labor agreement with BNSF
On Friday, members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Workers’ – Transportation Division (Yardmasters) announced the ratification of a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with BNSF Railway.
The agreement covers more than 320 yardmasters and aligns with the national bargaining pattern while also incorporating other work rule/process modernization.
The agreement provides an 18.8% compounded wage increase over five years, enhanced health benefits with lower premiums in 2025, earlier access to more paid vacation, and modernized work rules including paid sick leave, a guaranteed weekly rest day for extra board employees, and electronic claim and grievance handling.
With the Yardmasters’ ratification, 45% of BNSF’s union-represented workforce is now covered by new five-year agreements under the current round of labor negotiations.
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