(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.