Recent contracts give Amtrak workers big raises

Washington (PAI) – Two recently ratified contracts, one with the Transport Workers and the other with the Electrical Workers, have given on-board Amtrak workers and the passenger train system’s electricians historically large raises, the unions stated.

Both contracts feature 34.1 percent compounded raises over seven years, retroactive to July 2022 and run through the end of 2028.

The contract with Transport Workers Local 1460 covers 360 Amtrak on-board service workers, including train attendants and cafe car workers.

Amtrak’s pact with IBEW’s of Railroad System Council 7 covers 1,200 electrical workers.

“Amtrak on-board workers are a critical part of our nation’s transportation system and this contract includes essential quality-of-life wins,” TWU President John Samuelsen said in a statement.

TWU’s pact with Amtrak features “an industry-leading paid parental leave program, a benefit that far exceeds other rail carriers in the country. Workers who have been active for at least one year are eligible for 10 weeks of paid parental leave to bond with a newborn or adopted child starting in 2025,” the union said.  

IBEW Rail Division Chair Arthur Davidson said at least 500 workers will get a “skills differential” bonus of $3 per hour on top of the general wage hike.