A union of railroad workers is threatening strike action after rejecting a potential agreement with the nation’s freight carriers. This would mean a halt on railroad freight, further hindering an already volatile supply chain.
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BWME) voted this week against the proposed five-year contract, by 57%. The union released a statement this Tuesday saying: “The lack of paid sick time off was the most cited and specific concern of membership. It was especially evident during the pandemic that it was a major problem,” adding, “The railroads have so far not addressed it in any meaningful way.”
The BWME will now enter negotiations with the group that represents management at the nation’s major freight railroads in an attempt to reach an acceptable agreement. If a deal is not reached, it could result in a strike, although this will not be known until the 19th of November. There will, therefore, be no immediate disruption to the service.
Several unions are still yet to vote, meaning the potential November outcome is difficult to predict at present. However, if BMWE goes on strike, the two larger unions (the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation union, which represents conductors, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen) are also expected not to report to work over the period in question.
A professor of labour studies at Rutgers University, Todd Vachon, stated: “I think this is the canary in the coal mine for the engineers’ and conductors’ votes.” He added, “They were the ones you anticipate would reject a deal. The fact that the BMWE voted no suggests a no vote [by train crew members] is more likely.” Although the unions’ leaders believe that members are still likely to ratify the deal before it results in strike action.
