Oct 4 (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK/A )-owned BNSF

Railway said that the members of International Sheet Metal, Air,

Rail and Transportation union's railroad, mechanical and

engineering department have voted to ratify a five-year

agreement with the company on Friday.

The deal provides a yearly wage hike of 3.5% over the life

of the agreement, along with better health care benefits and

provisions that offer railroaders more vacation days earlier in

their career.

"I appreciate the leadership at BNSF for resolving the next

round of national negotiations without dragging out the

bargaining process for years," said SMART General President

Michael Coleman.

The railroad also reached a tentative agreement with the

union's transportation division (SMART-TD) earlier in September.