BMWED members on BNSF will receive four paid sick days annually as part of a new agreement reached by General Chairmen representing the property, yet another success for Brotherhood members following a very public campaign on the issue last year. The deal is pending upon final ratification from BMWED membership on BNSF.

BNSF and BMWED General Chairmen George Loveland, John Mozinski, Tim Bunch and Dennis Albers ironed out the language Friday. In the agreement, the carrier will provide four paid sick days annually to every qualifying MOW employee. Additionally, three paid personal days can also be used as paid sick time off.

If a BMWED member does not use the entirety of their entitled paid sick leave it can either be contributed to their 401(k) contributions through the carriers’ retirement program or cashed out for straight time wage.

“This agreement took a lot of hard work and diligence from the membership and notably from the four General Chairmen on the property and I want to thank them for their steadfast commitment to seeing this across the finish line,” BMWED Northwest Vice President Staci Moody-Gilbert said. “This is obviously a great success for our Union and I am glad that BNSF recognized the importance of this issue. Our members can now take time to properly address health issues as they arise without worry of financial repercussions. This agreement brings BNSF in line with the other Class I carriers who have entered into similar agreements and is a welcomed development. I congratulate the General Chairmen and the membership for obtaining this victory.”

BMWED members on BNSF will have the opportunity to vote on ratification of the deal in the coming weeks. For more information on the agreement, please contact your local representative or system federation office. Contact information can be found on the Brotherhood’s website www.bmwe.org under the directory link.