LA/Long Beach Rail Union Reaches Labor Agreement Far in Advance

In an era of contentious labor relations in the ports sector, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) have achieved a rare, amicable, and timely contract negotiation. They have ratified a three-year extension of their collective bargaining agreement well ahead of the deadline.

The extension, retroactive to May 1, runs through September 2027 and includes a 13 percent raise over three years to offset inflation, maintaining current employee contribution levels for health benefits. The 145 employees of PHL approved the extension by a margin of nine to one. This cooperative announcement contrasts sharply with the combative tone of other port unions and employer associations, highlighting the need to ensure the success of the twin ports of LA and Long Beach, the largest container-freight gateway in the U.S.

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BLET General Chairman Brian Carr called it “a great win for the organization and our members,” noting that the contract retains the current health plan and includes 13 percent wage increases over two years. PHL provides essential transportation, maintenance, and dispatching services to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, crucial for moving millions of containers annually from San Pedro Bay to inland markets.

Despite past contentious relationships with national railroads, BLET has maintained a positive relationship with PHL, a subsidiary of an independent rail holding company. PHL President Otis Cliatt II emphasized the importance of fair compensation for employees and the prevention of potential disruptions to port operations, which are vital to the economy.

In January, PHL agreed to a bonus program offering union employees up to $18,000 in retention bonuses if they stay for the next two years and if PHL continues as the switching company for the Ports of LA and Long Beach from 2026 onward.