Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range conductors and trainmen represented by the UTU have ratified a new seven-year agreement covering wages, benefits and working conditions. DM&IR is part of CN North America.
The new agreement, retroactive with back pay to 2005, increases job security by restricting future furloughs. It replaces a standard mileage/rule-based labor contract with one based on hourly wages and job guarantees. Most of CN's U.S. train and engine employees work under hourly-rate contracts.
The new agreement also increases wages, provides for retroactive pay, maintains weekly board markups, improves vacation and personal leave benefits, and offers a 401(k) plan with employer contributions.
UTU General Chairpersons Tom Jackson (GO 321) and Ken Larson (GO 315) led negotiations on behalf of the UTU. They thanked UTU International Vice President Robert Kerley for his assistance, as well as National Mediation Board mediators Marvin Sandrin (now retired) and Pat Sims for their efforts.
DM&IR operates in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Its principal commodities are iron ore and taconite.
CN purchased DM&IR as part of its May 2004 acquisition of the rail and marine holdings of Great Lakes Transportation LLC.
