Biden Presses Big Railroads to Offer More Paid Sick Days

The Biden administration is advocating for three major rail companies, including CSX Corp., Canadian National Railway Co., and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd., to provide paid sick leave to all their workers. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su emphasized the necessity of such measures in ensuring safety within the industry, stating the lack of sick leave poses unnecessary risks. They sent letters urging the companies to negotiate immediately with workers' unions rather than waiting for the scheduled renegotiation of broader agreements. CSX's CEO responded that the company has already reached agreements on paid sick leave with most of its unions but expressed disappointment that two unions haven’t accepted the same terms. Currently, around 80% of CSX union employees have access to some form of paid sick leave. The AFL-CIO supports the administration's efforts, arguing that workers who are sick or injured should not have to risk their health or public safety by working. Despite a significant increase in access to paid sick days—from 5% to 90% in the last two years—10% of railroad employees remain without this essential benefit. Buttigieg and Su acknowledged this progress but pointed out that it is insufficient until all workers are covered. In transportation, the importance of paid sick days goes beyond workers’ rights; it directly impacts operational safety and efficiency. The potential for accidents increases when workers are compelled to work while ill, which could pose dangers to themselves and the public. Ensuring that all transportation workers have access to these benefits is vital not just for their health but also for the continued integrity and safety of the transport systems they operate.