The two sides reviewed each other's Section 6 notices. Both expressed a desire to reach an agreement expeditiously.

Section 6 refers to the section of the Railway Labor Act by which carriers and their unions exchange demands for contract changes.

Under the Railway Labor Act, contracts between railroads and their unions do not expire, but rather continue in force until changes are negotiated.

However, carriers are required to pay employees cost-of-living allowances while these negotiations progress. The first COLA to be paid July 1, if no new agreement is reached before then.

A second bargaining session between the UTU and NCCC is scheduled for early March.

Among major railroads represented by the NCCC in this round of national handling are Burlington Northern Santa Fe, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific.

UTU International President Paul Thompson is the UTU's chief negotiator. Members of the UTU National Negotiating Committee are: Assistant President Rick Marceau, vice presidents John Babler, J.R. Cumby, Mike Futhey and David Hakey; and general chairpersons Richard Karstetter, Robert Kerley, John Lesniewski, Dave Snyder, Delbert Strunk and Dale Welch.