COVID-19: Rail Labor Unions Request Changes to Absentee Policy Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic Published: Mar 18 2020 10:09AM
The BMWED, as part of the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations (CRLO), has requested railroad carriers suspend all attendance policies, agree not to discipline any employee who stays home due to illness, and given that not all employees have sick leave, insist that all employees who stay home should receive paid leave.
Further, all rail unions have demanded that appropriate sanitation should be performed on railroad properties and supplies of hand sanitizers, soap and wipes that contain at least 60 to 90 percent alcohol be made readily available.
This is a difficult time, and the safety and peace of mind of railroad employees is a critical concern. We trust that the railroads share this concern and will take the needed precautions to address this public health emergency while taking the necessary steps to protect its employees both physically and economically.
The details of rail labor’s request can be found in the CRLO’s March 11 letter to National Railway Labor Conference Chairman Brendan M. Branon which is linked HERE.
