Four more rail unions settle, now 60% of workforce

   The nation’s major freight railroads reached tentative collective bargaining agreements with four additional unions representing more than 11,000 employees: the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers; the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association; the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen.
   The railroads now have now a total of 10 agreements covering more than 60 percent of the 132,000 employees in this bargaining round.
   All of the tentative agreements implement the recommendations laid out by a Presidential Emergency Board appointed by President Obama. Details are not being released pending ratification votes by union members.
   As mandated by the Railway Labor Act, the carriers and remaining unions are in a 30-day “cooling off” period. During this period, which ends Dec. 6, strikes are not permitted.