On March 24, 2001, in Monroe, Michigan, members of the Nickel Plate-Wheeling & Lake Erie Federation pictured above, along with their brothers in the Consolidated Rail System Federation who had previously voted by mail ballot, ratified a new agreement with the Grand Trunk Rail System by a resounding 90 percent.

The agreement resolves the bargaining demands contained in Section 6 Notices served prior to January 1, 1999 and provides for a 3% annual wage increase each January from 2000 to 2004. The agreement also provides for hourly rate skill adjustments.

"Rail management is finally recognizing that BMWE members are no longer the pick and shovel crews of years ago," said Perry Geller, General Chairman of the CRSF. "We are a highly skilled craft, which requires keeping up with some of the most sophisticated equipment in the industry."

The agreement contains a "standby" to the National Agreement with respect to health and welfare, work stabilization, bereavement and personal days, supplemental sickness, vacation and off track insurance.