The Nation : Pact May Avert Rail Strike

The United Transportation Union and a bargaining group representing most of the nation’s major railroads reached a tentative agreement that, if ratified, would avert a nationwide rail strike. The settlement was announced after three days of negotiations and follows a recommendation by an emergency board to phase out 8,000 union jobs. Both sides refused to say whether the pact includes such a provision. A ratification vote by the UTU rank and file is expected to take three or four weeks, according to a joint announcement by the union, the industry and the National Mediation Board. About 68,000 UTU members are affected by the current dispute, which focuses on the industry’s proposal to phase out the jobs of 5,000 firemen and 3,000 hostlers. Firemen are assistants to train engineers and hostlers move locomotives around in train yards.