Large rail union rejects deal, renewing strike possibility

The city of Omaha is in Nebraska. Both sides will return to the bargaining table after the third largest railroad union rejected its deal with freight railroads.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union, which represents track maintenance workers, voted against the five-year contract even though it included raises and bonuses. The railroads didn't do enough to address worker concerns about the lack of paid time off, particularly sick time, after the major railroads eliminated nearly one-third of their jobs over the past six years.

Railroaders are upset with their working conditions and hold their employer in low regard. Railroaders don't feel appreciated. They don't like the fact that management doesn't care about their quality of life, and they don't like the fact that they don't get a lot of paid time off.

The rejected contract was not commented on by the railroads.

Four other railroad unions have approved their agreements with the freight railroads, but all 12 unions that represent 115,000 workers must approve their contracts to prevent a strike. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has a new contract after initially rejecting it. The voting will not be finished until November.

President Joe Biden put pressure on the railroads and unions to reach a deal in order to avoid a strike by mid-September. Many companies rely on railroads to deliver raw materials and finished products, so Congress should be prepared to block a strike if an agreement isn't reached.

The unions agreed to follow the recommendations of the special panel of arbitrators that Biden appointed. The biggest raises rail workers have seen in more than four decades were recommended by the Presidential Emergency Board. It said that the unions should try to get additional negotiations with each railroad.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way union agreed to hold off on a strike until after Congress returns in November.

The quality of life issues took center stage at the end of these negotiations with the unions that represent conductors and engineers holding out until the end to get three paid leave days a year to tend to medical appointments and a promise that railroads will negotiate further about giving those employees regularly scheduled days off where they Railroad attendance policies make it difficult to take time off.

All the rail unions have objected to the lack of paid sick time in the industry, particularly after working to keep trains moving during the Pandemic.