OMAHA Neb. — Union Pacific has reached a tentative agreement on paid sick leave with the union representing conductors over paid sick leave, the railroad announced today (Sunday, June 9).
The agreement, which will cover about 5,900 employees, means UP now has tentative or ratified sick-time agreements with all 13 of its labor unions.
The North Platte Telegraph originally reported the deal on Saturday, citing a letter shared by the president of the local chapter of SMART-TD, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division.
The agreement will provide five paid sick days to SMART-TD employees on a prorated basis for 2023. Beginning in 2024, three days of vacation time may also be converted into sick leave.
“I want to thank SMART-TD leadership for their support as we work together to create an environment where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver exceptional service to our customers,” Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said in a press release. “We are committed to continued collaboration with our labor partners and employees to further identify opportunities that support our best-in-class workforce.”
This agreement follows on reached last month with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen [see “Union Pacific and BLET reach paid sick time agreement,” Trains News Wire, June 5, 2023]. UP said in its release that it looks forward to continued discussions with SMART-TD on scheduled rest, which would allow employees to have more predictable schedules and the railroad to better manage staffing levels. BLET members ratified a agreement with UP on that topic in June [see “BLET members ratify engineer scheduling …,” News Wire, June 30, 2023].
— Updated at 8:40 p.m. CDT with UP announcement of agreement with SMART-TD.
