March 31 (Reuters) - The International Association of

Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said on Monday it had

secured a tentative deal that covers about 4,900 freight rail

workers with the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC),

which represents U.S. freight railroads.

The agreement follows a recent wave of agreements and

ratifications in the U.S. railroad industry after the Joe Biden

administration had called for better benefits for freight

railroad workers.

An electronic ratification vote will take place between

April 25 and April 30, IAM said.

The tentative agreement covers IAM District 19 members at

BNSF, Norfolk Southern ( NSC ), Canadian National, Belt

Railway, Terminal Rail, Consolidated Rail, Indiana Harbor Belt,

New Orleans Public Belt, and Palmetto Railways.