Union Pacific Corp (NYSE:UNP) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have reached a tentative agreement for the U.S. railroad operator’s locomotive engineers. The agreement provides locomotive engineers with 11 days of work and four days off. This comes a week after Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) also reached an agreement, offering additional five days of paid sick leave per year for its engineers.
U.S. rail unions have been in a tussle with the railroad operators demanding better sick leave and attendance policies. BLET National President Eddie Hall said in a joint statement that the change in scheduling will make life better for locomotive engineers and their families, and should help Union Pacific retain and recruit employees.
The agreement is a positive step forward for the railroad industry, and will help ensure that locomotive engineers have the necessary time off to rest and recuperate.