BLET members on June 19 ratified a new seven-year agreement with the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (NIRCRC/Metra). The deal covers about 250 BLET members who work as locomotive engineers for Metra and provides compounded general wage increases of 35.42 percent over the life of the deal, which runs through December 31, 2032. It was ratified by an 84 percent majority.
The new contract provides for a comprehensive modernization of the parties’ general agreement governing locomotive engineers. It establishes updated compensation structures, work rules, seniority protections, assignment procedures, benefits, discipline standards, and operational practices. Also, the agreement adds Juneteenth to the list of recognized holidays.
The negotiating team consisted of General Chairmen Nick Mugavero (Metra Northern District GCA), J.J. Balonek (Metra Rock Island GCA), Billy Evans (Metra Electric GCA), Dick Crow (Metra-UP GCA), assigned National Vice President Kevin Sexton, and recently retired Vice President Pete Semenek.
“Collectively, the agreement represents a long-term framework designed to stabilize operations, modernize compensation and scheduling structures, preserve employee protections, and create a unified operating agreement governing locomotive engineers throughout the NIRCRC system,” said Vice President Sexton.
Metra serves the six-county Chicago area providing service to and from downtown Chicago with 243 stations over 11 routes totaling nearly 500 route miles.
Photo by Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659