The BMWED and CSX reached a tentative agreement this week that builds on the contract based upon feedback we received from members during the initial ratification process that failed earlier this year.

We believe that this tentative agreement addresses many of the complications related to work rules on the property, raises wages above those in comparable industries and improves vacation and health benefits without increasing cost to BMWED members.

Leadership will host several virtual town hall meetings to discuss the details and finer points of the tentative agreement, beginning this Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 pm CT/7 pm ET. A link to the first virtual town hall will be included in an email sent to all BMWED CSX members. Members who did not receive a link are encouraged to contact their system officers, who can provide the necessary information.

In addition to the weekly virtual town halls, BMWED leadership at the National and System/Federation levels will hold as many face-to-face conversations as possible at worksites, lodge meetings, and “start-up” for the System Production Gangs in Jacksonville early next month. We hope to get to you wherever you are to go over this agreement and answer all questions.

Balloting on the tentative agreement will begin on Dec. 30 with a deadline to vote of Jan. 10. Just as last time, electronic balloting will be the most convenient and expeditious way to cast your vote. All mail and email correspondence on the ratification vote will come from the independent American Arbitration Association (@adr.com).

Look to the tentative agreement section of the BMWED website, as well as email and text correspondence, for additional information in the coming days and weeks. The TA is posted there.