Jacksonville, Florida – On 10/8/2024, members of the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) returned a split ratification decision on proposed collective bargaining agreements with CSX Transportation. The larger group of CSX South ATDA members ratified the agreement with overwhelming support, as nearly 73% of their votes were in favor. The CSX East ATDA members on the other hand, narrowly voted against ratification, with just under 57% opposing.
Following their successful ratification vote, CSX South ATDA members will receive wage increases that compound to 18.77% over five years, along with work-rule improvements, and healthcare enhancements. Additionally, the agreement provides five paid sick leave days annually for all rostered members hired after 2004. Prior to the agreement’s ratification, only those members rostered in 2004 or earlier received any paid sick leave.
Since the majority of CSX East members who voted opposed ratification, ATDA will soon serve “Section 6” notices on their behalf. This will start the process of amending their collective bargaining agreement through the terms established by the Railway Labor Act. Future updates will be provided on that process as they become available.
Commenting on the news, ATDA President Ed Dowell said “I’d like to thank Vice President Colin Thurman and General Chairman Ben Craft. Together they worked to bring the best agreement to the table for our members to vote on. Our CSX South members will no longer have to wait years for wage increases and finally, much of the disparity between pre and post 2004 will end. At the same time, the disparity between East and South must still be addressed. So, for our CSX East members, the work will continue. There is no justifiable reason that they should earn less than the CSX South members.”
ATDA Vice President Colin Thurman, the Organization’s national representative on the CSX property, went on to say, “Members on CSX-South recognized the opportunity they had before them and overwhelmingly voted in favor of receiving their pay raises on time, the introduction of paid sick leave for dispatchers rostered after 2004, overtime pay for all off-assignment work and enhanced health and welfare benefits. This agreement is the result of months of bargaining, and I commend General Chairman Ben Craft for this accomplishment. Ben was determined to get the best deal possible for CSX dispatchers and the results speak for themselves.”
CSX System Committee General Chairman Ben Craft, said the following, “Today, our South Agreement members voted in favor of an agreement that not only includes the largest wage increase for a voluntary agreement in more than 20 years, but also provides much needed sick leave. Additionally, this agreement was reached sooner than any in recent history, so the members won’t have to wait years to reap the benefits. I’d like to thank Vice Presidents Colin Thurman and Brandon Denucci for their relentless support during this process. Moving forward, I remain committed to advocating on behalf of our brothers and sisters under the East Agreement. We will continue to pursue much needed and long overdue changes on their behalf.”