JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached paid sick time agreements with two more unions representing mechanical workers, the railroad announced today.
The agreements, which provide four paid sick days, were reached with divisions of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen. Specifically, the deals cover members of the IAM Roadway Mechanics and BRC Carmen for Fruit Growers Express Co.
The agreements are the most recent of six similar deals reached between the railroad and its labor unions within the past week.
“We are committed to ongoing collaboration with our valued front-line employees and union partners to ensure CSX provides a work experience that honors their many contributions to our company’s success,” CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a statement. “The new agreements with the IAM and BRC are a great demonstration of partnership, and we will continue to work with labor organizations to improve the employee experience at CSX.”
Sick time was a sticking point in protracted negotiations last year between the U.S. Class I railroads and their unionized workers.
East Palestine may turn out to be a failure on the part of detectors to catch a hot bearing. Which, if proven, will make it difficult for the railroads to use technology as cover to cut back on car inspectors, etc.
So far Mr. Hinrichs is looking and sounding like the breath of fresh air the industry has needed since the onset of The Great Recession. But will the other Class 1s get the message? Maybe between this and the East Palestine disaster we’ll see a backing off from the PSR addiction.
IT CERTAINLY WILL
Most likely easier for CSX to negotiate these now that the CEO came from the custoemr side and is a complete non-railroader. Especially since sick time is so common is most other industries.