Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) members on Union Pacific have ratified a new 5-year agreement with the railroad that includes significant wage increases, enhanced vacation accrual, improved health and welfare benefits, and key reforms to work rules.

The ratification vote totals are as follows:

Out of 5,919 eligible voters, 3,607 cast votes.

Yes, I approve the agreement: 2,557 (70.89%)

No, I disapprove the agreement: 1,050 (29.11%)

Under the new agreement, which follows the national pattern, BMWED members will receive a compounded total of 18.77 percent in general wage increases over five years. The raises (effective July 1 of each year) are structured as follows:

• 4 percent in 2025 (retroactive to July 1)

• 3.75 percent in 2026

• 3.5 percent in 2027

• 3.25 percent in 2028

• 3 percent in 2029

The agreement also includes enhancements to vacation policies following the national pattern. New hires will now earn up to five days of pro-rated paid vacation in their first year. Longer-tenured employees will gain faster access to extended vacations, with three, four, and five-week vacation milestones reached after 6, 15, and 23 years of service, respectively, compared to later milestones in the prior agreement.

Additionally, health and welfare benefits see significant upgrades under the tentative agreement. Employee contribution rates for health plans will remain capped at 15 percent, even beyond 2030. Dental benefits have been improved, with the annual maximum increasing from $1,500 to $2,500 and the orthodontia lifetime maximum rising from $1,000 to $2,500. Vision benefits now include a frame allowance of $250 every two years, up from $115. A new lower-cost, HSA-eligible insurance option for employee-only coverage has been introduced, and the plan now covers vasectomies and extends coverage for surviving dependents by six months following an employee’s death.

The new agreement expands bereavement leave to include grandparents, grandchildren, domestic partners, half/step siblings, stepparents, and stepchildren, ensuring workers can take time to grieve for a broader range of family members.

“Firstly, we should absolutely commend the members for their attention, diligence, and participation in all aspects of this bargaining round and ultimately this contract,” BMWED General Chairmen Brian Rumler (Unified System Division), Brian Thompson (Allied Federation) and Patrick Charters (Chicago & Eastern Illinois System Division) said in a joint statement. “The members were an instrumental force in reaching a deal with their employer, one that rewards them for their expertise in their profession and strengthens their position in the workplace. To all members on U.P., we want to unequivocally state that without your input, we could not have reached this deal.”

It should be noted that this bargaining round with Union Pacific included rank-and-file members present at the table as part of direct negotiations. Their input was invaluable and pivotal and exactly how the process should work and will continue to work in the rounds to come.

BMWED President Tony Cardwell, a former U.P. employee himself, echoed the sentiments of the General Chairmen on the property.

“This is a strong contract and a contract that did not come easily – it was fought for at the table, with the interests of the members our chief priority,” he said. “The members provided their insights and thoughts, they steered the negotiations and they ultimately got management to a place where they are rewarded for their work. I am proud of the job that was done here. It is reflected in the ratification vote and is a great example of what can be done when we work in solidarity.”