The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) has announced the ratification of a national collective bargaining agreement with the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA). The ratified contract, which covers ATDA-represented freight rail employees through Dec. 31, 2029, is the fourth national agreement ratified after NCFO, TCU and BRC members approved their contracts in recent weeks.

The ATDA contract follows the pattern established by agreements reached at both the local and national levels. The terms provide:

• Wage increases of 18.8% over five years. Based on current inflation projections, this will translate to real wage growth for covered railroaders along with pay certainty for the life of the contract.

• Enhancements to world-class health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate. In 2025, health care premiums will decrease to about $277/month, well below the national average of more than $500/month for employer-provided family coverage.

• Access to more paid vacation time for employees earlier in their careers.

“We are pleased ATDA members endorsed the value these agreements deliver—increased pay, enhanced health care benefits and earlier access to paid time off,” said Jeff Rodgers, chairman of the NRLC and the NCCC. “The NCCC is encouraged to start the year with another agreement ratified, and we look forward to building on these shared successes in the months ahead.”

Continued Progress in the National Bargaining Round

The national bargaining round began with the exchange of Section 6 notices on Nov. 1, 2024. Early local agreements between several rail carriers and unions set the stage for this progress, establishing a clear pattern that prioritizes employee needs while strengthening the freight rail industry’s ability to provide safe, reliable service.

Building on the historic 24% wage increase from the 2022 bargaining round, the ATDA contract represents part of a broader effort to provide competitive compensation and benefits to employees. Together, these contracts are projected to increase wages for covered employees by nearly 50% (compounded) between 2020 and 2029.

A list of carriers and unions participating in national handling can be found here. Carriers that reached an early local agreement covering a particular craft do not participate in national bargaining with respect to that craft.