Jacksonville, Florida – On 11/15/2024, the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) reached an implementing agreement with CSX Transportation (CSX) to unify its East and South Train Dispatchers under a single Collective Bargaining Agreement. The news follows notice issued by CSX on 11/7/2024, of their intent to merge the two Train Dispatcher groups, pursuant to New York Dock Conditions. CSX was then required to negotiate an Implementing Agreement for the merger with ATDA.
ATDA President Ed Dowell said, “I have personally been negotiating consolidating the agreements since 2013. In 2014, we were close to an agreement, but concessions were going to make it difficult to ratify. However, last month our CSX-East member’s voices were heard loud and clear when they voted down the pattern agreement. This important collective right, that only union members have, made a difference. Shortly thereafter, I spoke with CSX Vice President Labor Relations Jeff Wall about why the agreement failed and what could be done to resolve the pay disparity. I applaud CSX for finding a solution to this long-overdue pay disparity problem that didn’t require concessions from the South’s dispatchers.”
Practically, the unification of the CSX Dispatchers is an important step, as it ends a decades-long pay disparity between the East and South. Once effective, East Dispatchers will receive a $30 per day wage increase. In addition to pay, the new Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement will also provide the East dispatchers all the additional benefit enhancements that their South brothers and sisters already enjoy.
ATDA’s national representative in the negotiations, Vice President Colin Thurman, celebrated the development, by saying the following, “Since CSX relocated all dispatchers to Jacksonville, FL in 2017, we’ve had members working side by side under different agreements. Our brothers and sisters on the East Agreement made less money than their colleagues on the South Agreement. The CSXT System Committee has been trying to resolve this disparity for years, and today, finally found a path forward. This Agreement brings all CSX together under one CBA. General Chairman Ben Craft and Vice General Chairperson Lacrecha Taborn were essential to this effort, and I applaud them on a remarkable accomplishment.”
CSX System Committee General Chairman Ben Craft further emphasized the Agreement’s importance, by adding, “Resolving the East/South pay disparity was a priority for this Organization. Not only has this agreement accomplished that, but it also codifies longstanding agreements that provide benefits and protections to all ATDA members at CSX. Vice President Thurman, along with Vice General Chairman Taborn, played an integral part in this process, and I’m grateful to each of them for their contributions. Congratulations to our members on the East…I know very well how impactful this is for you all, and I’m proud to have been a part of this long overdue change!”
CSX System Vice General Chairman/ East Local Chairperson Lacrecha Taborn also celebrated the news, by saying, “This agreement fosters a much-needed change in our work environment, bridging the gap in pay disparity and creating a sense of equality amongst the membership. I’m very proud to be a part of this team effort to resolve these longstanding issues. Our East members have spoken in solidarity, and we’ve answered the call.”