FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) have reached an agreement to allow for more predictable scheduling and paid sick days for all ground service employees, the parties have announced.
Thursday’s announcement says the tentative agreement, after several months of negotiations, follows up on mandatory local bargaining items from last year’s Presidential Emergency Board and goes well beyond. It must be ratified by SMART-TD members.
The scheduling agreement will make rest days available to all pool and extra-board employees and includes additional quality of work/life changes. According to the statement, “These enhancements will not only benefit current employees, but they will also contribute to more consistent service for BNSF’s customers, and aid in the recruitment and retention of employees.”