Image 01 - Agreement signing June 12, 1998. Left to right, seated, Paul Beard, BMWE General Chairman; J. P. Vast-Binder, GTW Director of Human Resources; Perry Geller, BMWE General Chairman. Standing, R. O. Papa, GTW Production Engineer; M. J. Kovacs, GTW Senior Manager Labor Relations; Rich McLean, BMWE Assistant General Chairman; Deborah Folson, GTW Labor Relations; Tom Mulford, BMWE Vice Chairman; R. A. Cerri, GTW District Engineer.

After almost three years and over 60 meetings, the BMWE was finally able to reach a tentative agreement with Grand Trunk Western (GTW) on May 4, 1998. After ratification by 96 percent of the members voting, the agreement was officially signed on June 12, 1998.

"The BMWE bargaining committee hung tough as did the members through the long and stormy process," said General Chairman Perry Geller, "while GTW used every stalling tactic known in the railroad bargaining arena to frustrate the process."

Highlights of the agreement include: three percent general wage increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 1996; three percent general wage increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 1997; three percent general wage increase effective Jan. 1, 1999; $1,500 signing bonus; lump sum payment equal to three percent of 1997 wages; hourly rate increases, including a 56-cents-an-hour increase effective upon notice to the carrier that the agreement was ratified.

Many of the benefits gained in the 1996 National Agreement are contained in the agreement with GTW. These include the employee protective conditions of the amended Feb. 7, 1965 agreement; health and welfare, dental, vision, supplemental sickness, and off-track vehicle accident benefits.