The Biden administration is escalating efforts to secure guaranteed paid sick leave benefits for America’s rail workers, aiming to resolve a contentious labor issue.
At a Glance
- IBEW’s Railroad members at four major U.S. freight carriers have secured paid sick days after months of negotiations.
- The Biden administration played a significant role in securing these benefits through continuous pressure.
- The issue of paid sick days nearly caused a nationwide freight rail shutdown before Christmas.
- Only 10% of rail workers still lack paid sick leave, with calls for further negotiations.
Efforts to Secure Paid Sick Leave for Rail Workers
The Biden administration is urging major freight rail companies, including CSX, Canadian National Railway, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, to offer guaranteed paid sick leave to their workers. This push follows a previous decision that blocked such benefits in 2022 to prevent a rail strike, which left many rail workers disappointed. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su have called for negotiations to ensure this benefit is extended to the remaining 10% of rail workers who currently lack paid sick leave.
While the Biden administration’s initiatives aim to better support labor rights, initial disappointments among rail workers present challenges in regaining their trust. Agreements were previously reached with BNSF Railway, CSX, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern to provide paid sick days. However, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific have not yet responded to inquiries regarding these new negotiations, demonstrating the ongoing hurdles in this advocacy.
When unions win, workers across the board win.
No one should have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or their loved ones – I won't stop fighting for paid sick leave for every worker in America. https://t.co/S3KaTjzmh4— President Biden (@POTUS) June 26, 2023
Continuous Pressure by the Biden Administration
IBEW’s railroad members at four major U.S. freight carriers have successfully secured paid sick days after months of negotiations. President Joe Biden and his administration worked behind the scenes to ensure these benefits were implemented by applying continuous pressure on the involved companies, demonstrating commitment to the workers’ cause. This progress illustrates the administration’s dedication to supporting rail workers’ rights, while also emphasizing the critical nature of this issue as it nearly caused a nationwide freight rail shutdown before Christmas.
“We’re thankful that the Biden administration played the long game on sick days and stuck with us for months after Congress imposed our updated national agreement,” said Russo. “Without making a big show of it, Joe Biden and members of his administration in the Transportation and Labor departments have been working continuously to get guaranteed paid sick days for all railroad workers.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su emphasized the importance of addressing the remaining 10% of employees without paid sick leave, noting the safety risks posed by sick or injured railroaders working on freight trains. Efforts continue to reach agreements with the remaining rail companies, as these benefits are seen as essential for both labor rights and public safety.
Labor Department and Transportation Department’s Role
At the heart of the push, Buttigieg and Su sent letters to the CEOs of CSX Corp, Canadian National Railway Co., and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. on September 25, urging immediate agreements with unions. Despite the clear advocacy, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific did not immediately respond to these appeals. CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs acknowledged that 80% of their union employees now have access to some form of paid sick leave, demonstrating notable progress. The AFL-CIO supported the administration’s push, highlighting the hazards of railroad workers operating freight trains while sick or injured.
“While we applaud this success, it’s cold comfort for the 10% of railroaders who still do not have paid sick leave,” Buttigieg and Su stated in their letters.
The Biden administration’s efforts underscore their commitment to improving the working conditions for rail workers. With continuous pressure and advocacy, they aim to eventually extend paid sick leave to all rail workers, ensuring that no employee is left without this critical benefit.
