BNSF, three unions agree to paid sick day benefits

BNSF Railway Co. yesterday announced new paid sick day agreements with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD).

Building on existing paid time off and sickness benefits, IAM, BRS and SMART-MD members will receive an additional four paid days off to use as sick days and and gain the ability to convert up to three personal leave days to sick days each year, BNSF officials said in a press release.

The agreements are part of a larger discussion about modernizing the work environment, they said. The pacts also follow similar agreements BNSF announced last month with the Transportation Communications Union and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers.