National Railway Labor Conference is an association of all U.S. Class I freight railroads and many smaller freight and passenger lines. Through its National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), the NRLC represents most of its members in national (multi-employer) negotiations with the twelve major rail labor organizations. The recently-concluded round, which began January 1, 2015, covered more than 30 railroads and 145,000 employees. The NCCC is chaired by the Chairman of the NRLC and includes the senior labor relations executives of following railroads: BNSF Railway Company, CN, CSX Transportation, Inc., Kansas City Southern Railway Company, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, and Union Pacific Railroad. In addition to national bargaining, the NRLC represents the railroads in the administration of the $2.6 billion industry-wide health and welfare plans for rail employees; on rail labor issues before federal agencies, congressional committees and the courts; and in labor arbitration cases. It also provides training programs for rail management. The NRLC was formed in 1963 when three regional railroad conferences formed a single, nationwide entity. The organization has been based in the Washington, D.C. area since 1968.