To All Local Unions with Members Covered Under National Negotiations:

Sisters and Brothers, Yesterday International Representative Jeff Burk, System Council 9 General Chairman JJ Giuliano, and I resumed negotiations with the railroads. This was not an official mediation session, just an informal meeting between us and the railroads to get some idea of where matters stood with them. We explained to them how disappointed we were with the tentative agreement they proposed to us, especially in light of their profits, explained to them how our members felt about it, and made some suggestions on what we thought could be changed in order for our members to ratify it. As expected, they advised us that, as far as they are concerned, an agreement pattern has been set by over 75% of the railroad workers, and there was nothing more they were willing to do. As such, we advised them that we will be contacting the National Mediation Board to schedule another mediation session. Once the mediation session is held, which hopefully will be within the next two to three weeks, we will send you another update. Unfortunately, we don’t expect the railroads to change their position. As such, we’ll probably be asking for a release from mediation within the next couple of months. We’ll continue to keep you updated as matters progress. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Fraternally & in Solidarity, Bill Bohné, Jr. Director - IBEW Railroad Department 202-728-6016