JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached agreement to provide four days of paid sick leave for members of two unions, the railroad has announced.
The agreements, with the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, cover approximately 5,000 workers — almost 4,000 with BMWED and more than 1,000 carmen.
“CSX is committed to listening to our railroaders and working with their representatives to find solutions that improve their quality of life and experience as employees,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a press release. “These agreements demonstrate that commitment and are a direct result of the collaborative relationship we are working to cultivate with all of the unions that represent CSX employees. We greatly appreciate the leadership of the BMWED and BRC in working towards these agreements.”
The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen said the sick leave is at 100% of the employees’ rate of pay, and that the agreement provides members with the opportunity to designate the use of personal leave days for sick leave. The BMWED adds that unused paid sick leave can be added to a worker’s 401(k) or be paid out each year.
“We are extremely proud that BRC is one of the very first unions to reach this type of an agreement,” said Don Grissom, Brotherhood of Railway Carmen general president. “This agreement is a significant accomplishment and provides a very important benefit for our members working at CSXT. The other Carriers should take note and come to the bargaining table in a similar manner.” Artie Maratea, national president of BRC’s parent, the Transportation Communications Union, called the agreement “a huge win for our members at CSXT,” and said the union “will continue the fight to secure paid sick leave for our members working on other railroads.”
BMWED President Tony D. Cardwell said in a statement Tuesday night, “I want to personally thank CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs and COO Jamie Boychuk for reaching the paid sick leave agreement with BMWED. Joe gave me his word that he would bring about changes to the industry that are necessary to begin repairing the dysfunctional relationship between the railroads and the workers. I applaud Joe for delivering on his word and entering into this historic agreement with BMWED. He is doing the right thing, and I look forward to working with Joe on other matters that are critical to maintenance-of-way employees.” Cardwell also called for other Class I railroads “to follow the tracks that CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs has laid by reaching an identical agreement for paid sick leave with BMWED.”
Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Division of the AFL-CIO, said, “This paid sick leave agreement with CSX is certainly welcome but long overdue. We look forward to other rail crafts reaching similar agreements with CSX and other railroads following suit.”
Paid sick leave became a key element in the efforts to avert a national rail strike late last year. The House of Representatives passed a provision that would have required seven days of paid sick leave to be added to the tentative agreement between railroads and unions in a vote in November [see “House passes resolutions to block rail strike …,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 30.] But by passing that resolution separately, rather than with the other provisions of the tentative agreement, the Senate was able to pass the legislation imposing a settlement without the sick-leave provision [see “Senate approves legislation …,” Dec. 1, 2022]. That legislation was then signed into law by President Joe Biden.
— Updated at 8:48 a.m. CST with statements from BMWED, TTD President Greg Regan.
It also makes sense for the employers. Having people who are sick show Lupo for work can then spread disease among other employees. This can lead to short time worker shortages.
Four days! The generosity of the executives speaks volumes.
The real issue is not about the number of days, or the money involved as the national press has indicated. This is the critical crack of the windshield that will contiue to spread; the ability workers have to take needed time without denial, and punishment by zealous lower management. Not everything in life can be planned ahead of time and subject to prior approval.
About time. Welcome to the 21st century.
This sounds like a good thing; workers whose work environment can cause health problems need protections.