Ballots are due by March 19, 2026. Members who have not received a ratification packet by March 10 should call the National Division.
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with the Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY). Ballots were mailed to members last week.
If ratified by the members, the agreement will run through 2031 and provide a 7% general wage increase (GWI) in 2026, 4.5% GWIs each year from 2027-2030, and a 3.0% GWI in 2031. Other highlights include:
- One-time $2,000 signing bonus
- Increased training pay for authorized trainers per tour of duty
- Allows for secondary hold downs
- Increases meal and lodging allowances
- Increases the annual safety boot allowance
- Increases bereavement leave for immediate family members to five days
- Eliminates the daily commute mileage deduction and will now pay all miles driven for the Carrier.
The negotiating team consisted of General Chairman Chip Cole and Vice General Chairman Matt Fadely, with assistance from assigned National Vice President Rick Gibbons. The IORY membership is part of BLET Division 282 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Owned by the Genesee & Wyoming and headquartered in Cincinnati, the IORY operates over 511 miles of track in western Ohio, and in parts of southeastern Indiana and southeast Michigan.
Note to IORY members: Ballots are due by March 19, 2026. Members who are eligible to vote and have not received a ratification packet by March 10 should call the National Division’s dedicated voicemail line at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the voicemail, please leave the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number;
- The division to which you belong;
- The railroad you work for;
- Your date of birth;
- The last four digits of your Social Security number; and
- Your email address.
All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. Any member who requires a replacement ballot must include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Stanfield