Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Department of Labor photo
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On September 25, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su sent letters to the CEOs of three Class I freight railroads — CPKC, CN, and CSXT — calling on them to guarantee paid sick leave to all of their employees.
The letter notes that rail labor and the rail industry have made progress in expanding access to paid sick leave to about 90 percent of the rail workforce. However, BLET members employed by the three recipients of the letter are among the 10 percent of rail workers who still do not have paid sick time. Acting Secretary of Labor Su said: “The unions and companies have come a long way on this issue, but it’s time to finish the job and protect the people who keep our country moving forward.”
BLET National President Eddie Hall said: “The BLET has remained steadfast in refusing to accept any paid sick leave agreement that subjects our members to punitive handling under carrier attendance policies. I thank Secretary Buttigieg, Acting Secretary Su, and the Biden-Harris administration for calling out these three railroads for their failure to provide this basic benefit.”
View Secretary Buttigieg and Acting Secretary Su’s letter here.