OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have reached a paid sick time agreement, the railroad and union announced today.
UP’s 5,600 engineers will have up to seven paid sick days. Five days will be considered paid sick time, while two additional paid leave days can be converted to sick time. The agreement will go into effect on Aug. 1.
“This agreement is really about health and safety,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said in a statement. “It’s not in our members’, the public’s, or the railroad’s best interest for engineers to be operating trains when they’re sick. Congratulations to our BLET general chairmen and Union Pacific’s management who reached this agreement at the bargaining table.”
UP CEO Lance Fritz, in a statement, said, “The well-being and quality of life for all employees are critically important to us. We want to thank the BLET union leadership for their valuable collaboration. This agreement marks another step forward in Union Pacific’s ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive work environment that prioritizes the health and well being of all employees.”
UP now has sick leave agreements in place with 12 of the 13 unions that represent its craft employees. About 68% of the railroad’s employees are covered under the agreements.
