The UTU and Illinois Midland Railroad (IMR) have reached a tentative new five-year contract covering wages, benefits and working conditions for IMR signal maintainers, mechanical forces and maintenance of-way employees.
IMR is a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming.
The new agreement will be explained to members prior to a ratification vote by all crafts under the UTU Constitution's craft autonomy provisions. UTU International Vice President Delbert Strunk has already held meetings in the Springfield, Ill., area to explain the agreement.
It provides a general wage increase, retroactive pay to April 1, 2010, a cap on health care insurance contributions, a new short-term disability plan, an enhanced 401(k) plan, and enhanced options for personal leave days.
Strunk, who assisted with the negotiations, thanked IMR General Chairperson Bo O'Leary and Vice General Chairpersons Donnie Maurer and Loren "John" Thomas for their efforts during the negotiations.
