For many years, the BRS has been attempting to bargain for an alternative to CLC lodging.  The recent agreement signed on January 29, 2025, does not mark the end of those efforts; rather, it marks the beginning.  On that date, we signed an agreement with BNSF to allow each member the individual choice to opt out of CLC lodging.  Participating employees may elect to receive a daily lodging allowance instead of CLC, which will be added to their existing meal per diem allowance.  The current rate for lodging is $75 (subject to twice annual CPI adjustments), bringing the current daily total per diem allowance to $137.25 for meals and lodging. 

As indicated, this option is only available to those who also participate in the meal per diem.  Since the annual enrollment period for the per diem is the month of November, an additional enrollment period was opened from February 15 – March 15, 2025, to take effect on 4/1/25.  Unlike the meal per diem, there will be two annual opt-out periods.  In the months of May and November of each year, those previously electing the lodging per diem may choose to revert to CLC.

Rest assured, the committee is not satisfied with the daily amount agreed to in this first agreement for a lodging alternative.  We trust the amount will not work for the majority of you and is only likely to appeal to those who utilize alternative lodging arrangements instead of hotels.  We view this agreement as a small step toward a better future where this issue is concerned. We additionally hope to improve on it incrementally in the future.  At the end of the day, it is just one more choice for each individual – and having a choice is always a good thing.