The agreement, which follows the national pattern and includes retroactive wage increases, is out for ratification.

Negotiations on the merger are ongoing, though they appear to be headed for arbitration.

"Once the UP-SP realized that we weren’t going to let our contract talks be held hostage to the merger implementation, we were able to quickly reach a fair settlement," explained BMWE President Mac A. Fleming.

Also still outstanding on the SP is the SP-CSL contract, which affects about 90 of the BMWE’s 3,000 members on the SP.

Meanwhile, on Amtrak, the Brotherhood continues to await action from the National Mediation Board (NMB), which so far has refused to release the parties.

In May some 100 members of Congress urged President Clinton to spur the NMB into action, but the president has been unresponsive.

"We are truly disappointed that President Clinton hasn’t moved to allow these workers to use every means possible--including a strike--to force a contract from a company that refuses to bargain in good faith," said Fleming. "We remain hopeful that once the administration understands Amtrak’s transgressions against its maintenance of way workers that action will be taken."

In other bargaining news, negotiations are continuing on the Grand Trunk and the Delaware & Hudson. Talks on occupational disability benefit rules from the Railroad Retirement Board remain open, though the July 15 deadline is fast approaching without too much progress toward a settlement.