Norfolk Southern reaches tentative agreements with five more unions by Reuters

(Reuters) – South Norfolk (NYSE: ) has reached five-year tentative labor agreements with five unions, the U.S. rail operator said Friday, as thousands of workers in the industry negotiate for better wages and working conditions.

Of its 13 unions, the company reached tentative agreements with nine, covering about 55 percent of the unionized workforce, in the past two weeks.

The deals, which still need to be ratified by unions, offer an average annual wage increase of 3.5 percent over the next five years and offer more time off for workers and better health care benefits.