BLET National President Mark Wallace (right) met with Senator Ruben Gallego recently to discuss important issues including the Holiday Pay Act.
The BLET and Teamsters Rail Conference have thrown their support behind two U.S. Senate bills that will improve the pay and benefits of all Americans, including rail workers.
Holiday Pay:
The “Holiday Pay Act,” introduced by Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), would require all employers to pay time and a half the regular compensation for workers working on recognized federal holidays. The bill would apply to all rail workers, from Class Is to short lines, and would cover all federal holidays including those that are not typically a part of many railroad contracts (such as Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Day, etc.). More information can be found here.
Paid Sick Days:
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced legislation that would guarantee seven paid sick days each year to all American workers, regardless of the size of the employer or the industry. Rail workers are specifically covered by the provisions of the legislation. The legislation would also provide discipline protections for workers who seek to exercise their rights under this legislation. More information can be found here.