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The
union representing locomotive machinists, roadway mechanics, and
facility maintenance personnel is the seventh of 12 to approve
the deal, while two unions previously voted to reject the
national deal announced in mid-September.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers (IAM) District 19 said 59% of the membership voted and
it was approved by 52% of voting members after an initial
unsuccessful ratification attempt last month.
The union said it was "confident that this is the best deal for
our members" and said it "will continue to amplify the
deficiencies in the carriers’ sick leave and attendance
policies."
IAM looks "forward to sitting down with the carriers to find a
solution to the overtime policies in our industry."
The National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), which
represents freight railroads in labor talks, said unions "have
repeatedly agreed that short-term absences would be unpaid in
favor of higher compensation for days worked and more generous
sickness benefits for longer absences."
Last month, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) union,
representing more than 6,000 members, voted against the deal as
did the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWED),
which represents 11,000 workers.
BMWED could initiate a work stoppage as early as Nov. 19. The
rail deal included a 24% percent wage increase over a five-year
period from 2020 through 2024 as well $1,000 lump sum payments
in each of the next five years.
The unions represent 115,000 workers at railroads including
Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Kansas City
Southern.
A rail shutdown could freeze almost 30% of U.S. cargo shipments
by weight, stoke inflation, cost the American economy as much as
$2 billion per day and unleash a cascade of transport woes
affecting U.S. energy, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare
and retail sectors.
Last week, more than 300 groups including the National Retail
Federation and National Association of Manufacturers on urged
President Joe Biden's involvement to help avoid a potential rail
strike.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis;
editing by Grant McCool)
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