CLEVELAND, March 5 — The following is an outline summary of the major elements of the tentative agreement reached February 28, 2007, between the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC) and the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC). This outline is not intended to provide a comprehensive description or analysis of the Agreement.
The BLET will hold a meeting the week of March 19, 2007, to provide detailed information to the General Chairmen. Additionally, a packet of information explaining the tentative agreement in detail will be sent to each member as part of his or her ratification ballot. It is expected that the agreement will become effective June 1, 2007, if ratified by the membership.
WAGES
· General wage increases on the following schedule.
July 1, 2005 – 2.5%
July 1, 2006 – 3.0%
July 1, 2007 – 3.0%
July 1, 2008 – 4.0%
July 1, 2009 – 4.5%
HEALTH & WELFARE
· Expansion of in-network benefits and co-pays to employees who cannot obtain them today effective on July 1, 2007.
• In-network availability for over 90% of all employees, up from 75% today.
• Changes to in-network co-pays to pay for network expansion as follows:
• Visit to family doctor from $15 to $20.
• Visit to specialist from $15 to $35.
• ER visit (when not admitted as patient) from $30 to $50.
Prescription drugs:
• Retail - $10 generic; $20 brand name; $30 non-formulary.
• Mail order - $20 generic; $30 brand name; $60 non-formulary.
· Employee cost-sharing payments are 15% of monthly premium (employees currently pay about 14-15% through employee contributions starting on January 1, 2007 to pay for enhanced network coverage.
· Cost share adjustments will be made on January 1, 2008; January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010.
· Employee cost sharing on January 1, 2010 will be capped at $200 per month, or 15% of the January 1, 2009 rate whichever is greater. There will be no increase during the period unions and railroads bargain over next contract.
· Elimination of the “Harris COLA.”
· Carriers will withdraw all work rules proposals regarding staffing/consolidation, manpower utilization and productivity improvements, and job actions.
Monday, March 05, 2007
bentley@ble.org
http://www.ble.org/pr/news/newsflash.asp?id=4440
© 2006 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
http://www.ble.org
