Large rail union rejects deal, renewing strike possibility

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-0744cffe919f0d48fcc02d16c8a298b3

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The U.S.’s third largest railroad union rejected a deal with employers Monday, renewing the possibility of a strike that could cripple the economy. B oth sides will return to the bargaining table before that happens.

Over half of track maintenance workers represented by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division who voted opposed the five-year contract despite 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. Union President Tony Cardwell said the railroads didn’t do enough to address the lack of paid time off — particularly sick time — and working conditions after the major railroads eliminated nearly one-third of their jobs over the past six years.

“Railroaders are discouraged and upset with working conditions and compensation and hold their employer in low regard. Railroaders do not feel valued,” Cardwell said in a statement. “They resent the fact that management holds no regard for their quality of life, illustrated by their stubborn reluctance to provide a higher quantity of paid time off, especially for sickness.”

The group that represents the railroads in negotiations said they were disappointed the union rejected the agreement, but emphasized that no immediate threat of a strike exists because the union agreed to keep working for now.

*snip*

[underpants]

1. Ugh

Here we go again.

[honest.abe]

2. "no immediate threat of a strike exists because the union agreed to keep working for now."

Thank goodness for that!

A strike right before the mid-terms will kill us.

[leftstreet]

3. What part of "paid time off" don't they understand?

Typical of the owner class to just offer more money and be done with it.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. Threat of Rail Strike Returns After Union Rejects Deal

After coming to a tentative agreement last month, it seems that the country’s freight railroads are back on track for a cataclysmic strike. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) has voted against the proposed five-year contract, with 56 percent of members opposing the deal. The union will return to the negotiation table with the Class I freight railroad before a potential strike, but things aren’t looking good.

BMWED is just one of a dozen railroad workers’ unions and represents around 36,000 track maintenance workers. However, all 12 unions must agree to a new contract to avoid a national rail strike. Four smaller unions had already voted in favor of their contracts, but all dozen unions won’t complete voting until the middle of November. With half of the country’s freight being transported by rail at some point in its journey, the White House worked to bring the dispute to a conclusion. BMWED has promised not to strike until after Congress reconvenes next month.

“The majority of the BMWED membership rejected the tentative national agreement and we recognize and understand that result. I trust that railroad management understands that sentiment as well. Railroaders are discouraged and upset with working conditions and compensation and hold their employer in low regard. Railroaders do not feel valued. They resent the fact that management holds no regard for their quality of life, illustrated by their stubborn reluctance to provide a higher quantity of paid time off, especially for sickness. The result of this vote indicates that there is a lot of work to do to establish goodwill and improve the morale that has been broken by the railroads’ executives and Wall Street hedge fund managers.”

The concerns of BMWED members primarily center around the lack of paid time off and sick days in their contract despite including a 24 percent pay raise and a $5,000 bonus. The hope is to renegotiate a better contract before a strike becomes necessary, like the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers did with the railroad at the end of September.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/threat-of-rail-strike-returns-after-union-rejects-deal/ar-AA12O1BD

[crickets]

5. K&R for visibility.