UP Follows Other Railways in Offering Paid Sick Leave for Select Employees

Union Pacific employees get 4 new days and can divert 3 paid personal days to sick days

Union Pacific has joined other railroads in agreeing to paid sick leave for many of its workers (Photo: Jim Allen)

Union Pacific Agrees to Provide Paid Sick Days for Workers

Union Pacific has reached agreements with eight unions to provide workers up to seven paid sick days, following similar deals at other Class I railroads. The agreement will take effect on April 1.

Sick Day Structure and Union Agreements

According to UP (NYSE: UNP), employees in the agreeing unions will receive four sick days, prorated for this year, and can convert three of their current personal days to sick days. This structure mirrors the deal made with Norfolk Southern  (NYSE: NSC) workers. Sick-day agreements have also been made at CSX (NYSE: CSX) and BNSF (NYSE: BRK.B).

Unions Involved in the Agreement

The unions agreeing with Union Pacific include the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; Brotherhood of Railway Carmen; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Mechanical Division; International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers; and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division.

Ongoing Negotiations and Workforce Coverage

Union Pacific mentioned that the Transportation Communications International Union already had a sick-day agreement, leaving four unions without a deal. UP is negotiating with these remaining unions. The current agreements cover more than 40% of the company's workforce, with 33,179 employees reported as of December 31, 2022.

Post-Negotiation Developments

A national railroad strike was averted in December through congressional action and President Joe Biden's signature, resulting in the implementation of a contract agreed upon in September. However, the unresolved issue of paid sick days was expected to be addressed after negotiations.

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