More than 15,000 rail union workers to get solid pay raise; majority of the workers still negotiating

OMAHA, Nebraska – There have been 12 different unions in negotiations with the nation’s largest freight railways, and three of those unions have achieved a tentative agreement that will provide wage rises of 24%.

This is in accordance with the recommendation made earlier this month by a special presidential panel of arbitrators to break the impasse in order to prevent a strike from taking place.

More than 15,000 workers are covered by the tentative agreement that was disclosed on Monday. However, according to the two largest rail unions that represent engineers and conductors, they still have not been able to come to an agreement.

The railroad companies have until the middle of September to make deals with all of its unions. If they fail to do so, federal legislation will let the train companies to go on strike. However, if things reach that stage, Congress is anticipated to take action to keep the trains operating.