Amtrak ratifies five-year agreement with SMART Transportation Division

Amtrak employees represented by United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) have ratified a five-year agreement with Amtrak management.

The new pact covers approximately 2,300 members employed as conductors, assistant conductors, yardmasters and dining car stewards.

The agreement is retroactive to 2010 and the new rates of pay should become effective within 30 to 45 days. Payment of retroactive wages will be made approximately 60 days after the wage rates take effect.

“The membership recognized the value of the proposed contract and in ratifying the agreement have secured the wages and benefits that were hard-fought and hard-won by the negotiating team,” said UTU-SMART Transportation Division Assistant President John Previsich.

The agreement was passed by nearly 60 percent of eligible train-service members that voted and by 86 percent of eligible yardmasters that voted.