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The Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) & SMART TD (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) successfully approved a new five-year contract for the line’s transportation employees.
Ratified March 18, 2022, the pact runs from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2026. Currently represented are 32 locomotive engineers, conductors and brakemen.
CSS President Todd Bjornstad said, “I’m pleased we could get the contract successfully passed. It’s a nice package for a talented group of railroaders who run our trains and serve our customers.”
SMART Vice President Jamie Modesitt stated, “Our membership of Local 1526 who work for CSS Freight are pleased with the new contract. Collaboration with the company over the past eight months has created a win-win outcome for both sides.”
SMART Local 1526 Vice-General Chairman Brian “Freddie” Krueger added, “After many months of negotiation, our members got a quality contract that helps transportation employees and their families get some help to offset the inflation increase that started in 2021.”
An affiliate of Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH), South Shore operates 127 miles of line providing rail freight service between Chicago and South Bend, Ind., and Chicago and Kingsbury, Ind., with connections to all Chicago-area railroads as well as the Port of Chicago.