The Nation : Accord on Rail Labor Pact

The nation’s largest railroad labor union reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the railroads as months of bargaining ended after a 26-hour session with the National Mediation Board. If ratified, the pact is expected to set a pattern for the 12 other national rail labor unions still in negotiations and to reduce the possibility of a rail strike. Details of the agreement between the United Transportation Union and the railroads were withheld pending the ratification vote. The UTU represents about 90,000 conductors, trainmen and firemen.