ARLINGTON, VA. – Another US railroad union rejected ratification of a national tentative agreement proposed last month.  

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) union, representing more than 6,000 members, rejected the latest proposal, with 60.57% voting not to approve it. 

 “For the first time that I can remember, the BRS members voted not to ratify a national agreement, and with the highest participation rate in BRS history,” said Michael Baldwin, president of BRS. “I have expressed my disappointment throughout the process in the lack of good-faith bargaining on the part of the NCCC, as well as the part PEB 250 played in denying BRS members the basic right of paid time off for illness. The NCCC and PEB also both failed to recognize the safety-sensitive and highly stressful job BRS members perform each day to keep the railroad running and supply chain flowing.”

Following the latest rejection, the BRS and the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) agreed to a ‘status quo’ period until early December. 

A spokesperson for the Association of American Railroads (AAR), representing the freight railroads in negotiations, said half of all rail unions have ratified the agreement based on President Biden’s PEB recommendations. 

AAR said this included the largest wage increases in nearly five decades and would provide immediate payouts averaging more than $11,000 per railroader ahead of the holidays. 

The association also responded to the claims of paid time off for illness.

“While statements have been made about rail workers being unable to take time off, this is false. Most railroaders – BRS members included – are scheduled employees who work predictable schedules and have ample paid time off,” AAR said. “Thanks to decades of bargaining, BRS members also have generous sickness benefits that begin after four days and can last up to 52 weeks.”

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), who first rejected the proposal earlier in October, cannot go on strike until Nov. 19. 

BMWED said this week they voted against the agreement for numerous reasons, but the common complaint was the lack of paid sick days.

The AAR estimated that the US economy would take a $2 billion-a-day hit if trains stopped moving. 

In July 2022, Biden created a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), which suggested a baseline agreement for the disputing parties.