Norfolk Southern has become the third major freight railroad to offer some of its employees paid sick time. It announced a deal Wednesday with one of its unions in response to workers' quality-of life complaints that arose during contract negotiations.
With a strike looming, President Biden called on Congress to pass legislation imposing a contract deal that four rail unions had rejected, citing its lack of paid sick days.
The rail union representing 28,000 freight rail conductors, brakemen and yardmen has voted down the contract deal brokered by the Biden administration back in September.
So far, three of 12 unions representing freight rail workers have rejected the contract deal brokered by the Biden administration in September. Those unions are holding out for paid sick leave.
Businesses are increasingly worried about the renewed threat of a railroad strike after two unions rejected their deals, and they want the White House and Congress to be ready to intervene.
The U.S.'s third largest railroad union rejected a deal with employers Monday, renewing the possibility of a strike that could cripple the economy. Both sides will return to the bargaining table before that happens.
Freight rail workers had threatened to strike Friday. The unions were unhappy about a policy that penalizes workers who take unscheduled time off, including for medical needs.
