BMWED and Norfolk Southern Reach Deal on Paid Sick Leave Published: Feb 22 2023 1:46PM
An agreement has been reached between the BMWED and Norfolk Southern that establishes four (4) paid sick days annually for members employed on the Atlanta-based freight carrier.
“I am proud of the work that General Chairman Johnny Long and the American Rail System Federation officers did to reach an agreement that improves the quality of life for all BMWED workers on NS property,” President Tony D. Cardwell said. “The agreement acknowledges all NS employees need to stay home when sick or take care of families if they become ill. After 45 years of fighting for this issue the carrier and Union has accomplished what is needed for those who contribute the most to railroad profits, the workers on the ballast line.”
This agreement was finalized late last night into the early morning hours of Wednesday when Norfolk Southern’s Labor Relations team and CEO Alan Shaw agreed to the important quality of life improvements. The four paid sick days will go into effect immediately.
American Rail System Federation General Chairman Jonathon Long, who represents BMWED Members working on NS, stated, “This paid sick leave agreement will help NS’s Maintenance of Way Employees and their families in times of illness. The agreement is a step in the right direction for necessary changes at NS to improve the employer-employee relationship. The Employees have a lot of other areas of concern that NS and BMWED need to discuss and address, and I will continue to pursue these other issues with the railroad.”
The full paid sick leave agreement can be found HERE.