Railfanning.org News Wire

Two more unions have ratified a national collective bargaining agreement with the nation’s railroads.

The membership of the SMART Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART MD) has voted to ratify a tentative agreement with the carriers, after almost three years of negotiations between the union and the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC). The vote was passed with a 54% margin in favor of the negotiated contract.

fficials said the Metropark Development Project will support local and regional economic development by creating Class A office and retail space, community amenities, and station-area improvements, including bicycle, pedestrian, infrastructure upgrades and housing opportunities —20 percent of which will be designated as affordable housing.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) has voted against ratification of the tentative national agreement reached with the Class I freight railroads.