Rail strike threat rises as second union rejects labor deal

UPI via MSN ^ | 26 October 2022 | Sheri Walsh

[NautiNurse]

Oct. 26 (UPI) -- The threat of a crippling nationwide freight rail strike next month gathered speed Wednesday after a second railroad union rejected a tentative labor agreement.

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, which represents more than 6,000 workers who install and repair signal systems, voted down the proposed four-year deal, brokered by the Biden administration last month, with 60.5% against the agreement and 39.2% voting for it.

"For the first time that I can remember, the BRS members voted not to ratify a National Agreement, and with the highest participation rate in BRS history," Michael Baldwin, president of the BRS, said in a statement.

BRS is the second union to reject the proposed agreement. Earlier this month, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees District, which represents 23,000 track maintenance workers, rejected a similar deal.

Both unions have signaled Nov. 19, as a possible strike date. While six other unions have approved the labor deal, a strike by any one of the 12 freight rail unions would prevent others from crossing a picket line.

[Snip]

Last month, President Joe Biden celebrated the tentative deal which gives union members an average 24% pay increase over five years, improved working conditions and caps on what they have to pay for healthcare. But the deal did not include paid sick leave, which was a major obstacle in the negotiations.

[Snip]

[dfwgator]

I thought Joe fixed this.

[vpintheak]

So did Joe. At least he was told that he did. “A good deal!” he squealed, I believe.