OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific now has paid sick-leave agreements in place with all 13 of its labor unions following SMART-TD’s ratification of its tentative agreement this week.
“We are proud to be the second railroad in the industry to reach this milestone,” UP said in a LinkedIn post.
Norfolk Southern on June 5 became the first railroad to have all 13 unions ratify paid sick time deals. UP and SMART-TD had reached a tentative agreement in July [see “Union Pacific, conductors announce agreement …,” Trains News Wire, July 9, 2023]
“This is a great day for our members as this agreement is all inclusive to all members and can be used for not only themselves but also in their families’ illnesses as well,” said SMART-TD Alternate Vice President and General Chairperson Scott Chelette in a statement on the union website. “The ability to bank unused days for future use in case they are needed or having a cash out option is a huge benefit.”
The union site includes more details on the agreement.
— Updated on Aug. 5 at 7:45 p.m. CDT with information from SMART-TD.
Oh Boy, look out for employee cuts.
I consider it strange that the industry could go so many decades without “short-term” sick time let alone agreements. I have a hunch this was done in exchange from early on being so “generous” with long-term job-related medical treatment. Anyone in the industry have any comment on why/how this went on like this for so long? Could this be the sign of the ominous approach of automated long-distance freight trains?