BNSF, BMWED reach agreement on paid sick days

BNSF Railway Co. and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division—International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) announced yesterday they've reached a new tentative agreement that includes paid sick days.

Subject to ratification by BMWED members, the agreement builds on existing BNSF paid time off and sickness benefits, BNSF officials said in a press release. If ratified, the agreement would allow members to use individual paid days as sick days and gain the ability to convert up to three personal leave days to sick days each year.

The announcement is part of larger discussions about modernizing the work environment at BNSF, company officials said.