The ratification brings the current bargaining round to a close; the unions representing 132,000 freight rail workers all have reached voluntary agreements with the railroads.
"The completion of this final agreement underscores the continuing vitality of national collective bargaining in our industry and the effectiveness of the Railway Labor Act processes in helping the parties reach voluntary agreements," said A. Kenneth Gradia, chairman of the National Carriers' Conference Committee, the railroads' bargaining representative.