WASHINGTON, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Citing both "significant challenges
and unparalleled opportunities" for the railroad industry, the National
Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) has again asked the National Mediation
Board for help in resolving disputes with seven rail unions.
    In separate applications filed Friday, the NCCC asked for mediation with
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the six other
unions that comprise the Teamsters-led rail labor coalition. The NCCC, the
bargaining agent for the nation's freight railroads, had filed applications
for mediation in March, but voluntarily withdrew them May 10 in expectation
that productive negotiations would continue.
    "This bargaining round presents both significant challenges and
unparalleled opportunities to continue the railroad industry's transformation
into a more vibrant, efficient and successful enterprise through measures that
will benefit both employees and their companies," Robert F. Allen, chairman of
the NCCC, said in a letter to the NMB.
    He noted that the issues in the current round of negotiations, which began
last Nov. 1, "are complicated but no more difficult" than matters that have
been successfully resolved in past negotiations.
    The BLET, which represents about 15 percent of U.S. rail workers in the
current negotiations, abruptly cancelled a June 9-10 bargaining session after
meeting with industry negotiators over three days in May. Allen said he
regretted the BLET's action, which he said will delay rather than advance
mutual efforts to reach a voluntary agreement.
    Besides the BLET, the NCCC also filed for mediation with the American
Train Dispatchers Association; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees;
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers,
Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers; National Conference of
Firemen and Oilers; and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association.

    The National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor
Conference, headquartered in Washington, DC, is the national bargaining agent
for the 32 railroads, including all of the nation's major freight carriers,
involved in the current round of bargaining with 13 major rail unions.