For BMWED, Paid Sick Leave Agreement With U.S.-Based CN Roads
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) on Jan. 24 reported finalizing a paid sick leave agreement with the former Bessemer & Lake Erie, Grand Trunk Western, Illinois Central & Chicago, Central & Pacific, and the Wisconsin Central railroads, now all doing business as CN.
BMWED members on the CN properties all have contractual language guaranteeing four paid sick-leave days per year at the bid-in-straight time wage (download agreement below).
“Like many of the previous agreements reached on similar properties, CN maintenance-of-way employees can take up to four paid sick days annually or cash in the unused time at the end of the year,” according to the union, which noted that the employees have the option to roll over any unused sick leave into their 401(k) retirement plan.
Also, the CN members can use three personal days as additional sick leave if needed.
“It was a concerted effort and did not come without a fight, but we are proud to say that our membership has obtained this benefit,” said Joe Letizia, Jason Graham, Brian Rumler, and Justin Unik, the BMWED General Chairmen on the CN properties. “We want to commend all the members who joined us at rallies and help push this issue across the finish line. Together in solidarity we have prevailed.”
In a related development, BMWED members last fall ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with New York-based Delaware & Hudson Railway Company, part of Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s Soo Line Corporation.
