BNSF Railway, a leading transportation company in North America, has announced that it has reached tentative five-year collective bargaining agreements with The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD), including the union’s Yardmasters (SMART-TD-YDM).

This announcement marks the eighth tentative agreement reached in less than a month, covering more than 15,000 employees and representing over 46 percent of BNSF’s union workforce, just three months ahead of the next collective bargaining round. If ratified, the agreements will provide an average wage increase of 3.5 percent per year over the next five years. Additionally, they promise railroaders greater vacation benefits earlier in their careers and significant enhancements to an already comprehensive suite of healthcare benefits.

BNSF president and CEO Katie Farmer expressed gratitude to the leaders who collaborated to achieve these tentative agreements. “We are proud to be able to give our employees this unprecedented certainty over enhancements to their pay, healthcare, and vacation in advance of the next round. Today’s agreement sets our entire team up for future success in serving our customers while securing jobs for our employees,” she stated.

SMART-TD president Jeremy Ferguson noted that if ratified by SMART-TD members working for BNSF, this tentative agreement would result in a compounded 18.77 percent increase in members’ paychecks over the next five years. He added that the agreement also includes improvements to members’ quality of life and enhancements to health and welfare benefits. “I’m proud of our team of BNSF General Chairpersons for the work they did on this agreement on behalf of our members,” Ferguson said.

The SMART-TD general chairpersons expressed their anticipation of presenting the agreement to their members, who will have the opportunity to review and vote on its approval.

For more information visit www.bnsf.com