BLET members ratified a significant new agreement with the Utah Central last week — it is the first union agreement at the formerly non-union railroad. Utah Central workers voted to join BLET in December 2024. BLET Vice President James Logan Jr., Head of the Short Line Department and Director of Organizing, led negotiations and said the agreement “establishes a strong foundation to build upon in the future.”
This initial agreement establishes important provisions found in other BLET contracts such as a seniority roster, general wage increases, procedures for grievance handling, paid holidays, and vacations. Logan said one of the most important aspects of the new agreement is the establishment of a discipline process.
“This agreement provides a meaningful wage increase for most employees in the first year and reduces disparities in pay among the membership,” he said. “Just as importantly, the agreement establishes protections against unwarranted discipline and provides members with contractual rights to challenge alleged rule violations and proposed discipline. This achievement is especially significant, as securing these protections was one of the primary reasons the members sought representation by the BLET.”
In addition to Vice President Logan, the negotiating team consisted of Grievance Chairman Bailey Price and Director of the BLET Short Line Department Luke Myers. The Utah Railway membership belongs to BLET Division 16, the Brotherhood’s short line division.