Ratification ballots are being sent to affected members on CSX southern lines, who will vote under the craft autonomy provisions of the UTU constitution. Ballots will be counted April 30.

This CSX southern lines tentative agreement was negotiated outside national handling, with approval of the UTU Association of General Chairpersons, District 1, and the National Carriers Conference Committee.

The tentative agreement, which deals specifically with issues and circumstances unique to CSX southern lines, was negotiated jointly by four CSX general chairpersons -- John Hancock (GO 851), Randy Pullen (GO 025), Jim Townsend (GO 201) and J.R. "Johnny" Willis (GO 513) -- with assistance from UTU International Vice President Robert Kerley and National Mediation Board mediator Zack Jones.

The four general chairpersons recognized the "hard work" of Vice General Chairperson John Whitaker (GO 851) and Assistant General Chairperson Ed Weathers (GO 513) in helping to negotiate the agreement.

The agreement affects only those members represented by the four, above listed, general committees of adjustment.

CSX conductors and yard employees covered by this agreement will be eligible for payments from a performance bonus plan that links a portion of their compensation to company financial performance. Those employees will also be eligible for a stock-based individual performance award program tied to their individual performance, and are guaranteed wage rates to match rates negotiated in national handling.

Other provisions of the agreement deal directly with the unique working conditions and bargaining history on the CSX southern lines, and include expanded seniority rights, preservation of a conductor or yard foreman on every train and yard job, and 401(k) retirement benefits in addition to Railroad Retirement.

UTU International President Mike Futhey praised the general committee officers and Kerley for their "diligence and patience required to negotiate this breakthrough tentative agreement."