Washington District of Columbia USA - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su yesterday called on the CEOs of Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian National, and CSX to guarantee paid sick leave to all of their employees.
 
In letters sent to the CEOs, Buttigieg and Su called attention to the progress that rail labour and the rail industry have made in expanding access to paid sick leave, with three Class Is now guaranteeing it for all their employees.
 
Since the end of 2022, the number of Class I employees who have access to paid sick days increased from 5 percent to 90 percent, they noted.
 
"While three Class I freights currently provide all their employees paid sick leave, there are employees on your railroad who do not have this basic benefit. These workers are no more immune to illness than those who already have coverage," the letter states.
 
Buttigieg and Su encouraged CPKC, CN, and CSX to reach agreements with each of their unions to make paid sick leave without penalty available to all employees.
 
"This does not have to wait for national negotiations, your railroad should come to terms immediately with your labour unions," they wrote.
 
Author unknown.