If you follow my blog or social media pages, you know that I have been screaming about inhumane railroad attendance policies and working conditions since last January. BNSF implemented Hi Viz in February 2022, enraging workers and their families. Other Class 1 Railroads have their own versions of the similar terrible attendance policies. I’ve also openly discussed the need for a fair contract, to include a better quality of life for railroad crews. My husband has been working on an expired contract for 3+ years.
I’ve written my perspective multiple times, in different forms, and my writings have been read and shared by thousands of people. I’ve been interviewed by media outlets, appearing on the news and in written publications, baring my truth for the world to hear. I’ve stood in the rain alongside both unions at the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders meeting in Omaha to protest. I attended the BLET National Convention and served as a delegate for the BLET National Auxiliary. I’ve been fanatical about making sure I am factual about everything I say publicly because there is an abundance of misinformation in circulation. So much of that misinformation has been produced with the intention of causing division within the work force. I don’t want any part of that. Division amongst the workforce is exactly what the rail carriers want. My fear is that they are succeeding and it makes me angry. Infuriates me, actually!
You may have already seen stories in the news about a potential railroad strike looming on December 9th. That’s caused confusion because the last strike deadline was avoided and the media portrayed the situation as resolved. A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT was reached between the carriers and unions before the last potential strike deadline, but it still had to be voted on by union members. That tentative agreement had some wins and losses. We aren’t jumping for joy over here! I don’t think anyone was.
Several people have asked me about it privately. Some people have congratulated me about our “victory” and “huge raise.” I know the intention is good, but it’s just put me in a dark hole that I haven’t wanted to explain my way out of….until now.
The truth is, once a tentative agreement was reached after a 20 hour negotiation prior to our last strike deadline, I’ve remained silent. I haven’t tried to set people straight, deciphering truth from fiction. I usually have the right words to bring levity to situations like this, but this situation is very different. The tentative agreement wasn’t mine to dispute or support because I don’t get a vote. My sole purpose has been to expose the abhorrent working conditions on the railroad, support my husband, and give voice to workers who couldn’t speak freely without consequences. I’ve been the screamer and decision maker all year, but the person who gets an actual say on the agreement is my husband. He had to vote on a contract, deciding if the terms were agreeable to him because it is his career, not mine. It was a grueling decision, full of frustration and emotions, so I went silent to give him space to think without the peanut gallery (me) in the background. I gave my opinion only when he asked for it. In fact, he voted and didn’t even tell me until 2 days after he made his decision because he had a difficult time with which way to go. Now that we know the BLET (Locomotive engineers) voted yes, and SMART (conductors/trainmen) voted no, things are even more messy and we still don’t have answers. David is a BLET member working under the terms of the SMART contract because he is working as a conductor. His union (BLET) ratifying doesn’t close the book because the conductors union (SMART) voted no. He doesn’t get a raise, back pay, and bonuses until they ratify. Please hold your congratulations. We are in a new pit of hell, with another deadline ahead of us.
The railroad does not pay for sick time and they get hit with attendance points for taking unpaid sick time. The unions fought for sick time and the carriers didn’t budge for paid, or unpaid sick time time. That’s right, even unpaid sick time was rejected!
The new agreement offers them “3 incidents per year” to go to preventative doctor appointments, but only on Tuesday-Thursday, with 30 days advance notice. This new benefit only exists if you are in unassigned service (on call). My husband has a set schedule (assigned service) so he doesn’t qualify for that benefit. He has Saturday and Sunday off so the railroads assume that gives him the ability to plan doctor appointments. Does your doctor agree to see you on the weekend? If he takes a day off because he is sick or has to go to the doctor, he loses 7 of his 30 points for each day, and he doesn’t get paid unless he uses an earned vacation or PLD (personal leave day). IF he did have the benefit of 3 attendance incidents for preventative healthcare under the new contract, he can only use it for himself. He could not take a day off for me to go to the doctor, or Amelia for that matter. If I get sick or Amelia gets sick, he can’t take time off without penalty. As a railroad spouse living thousands of miles from our loved ones, this leaves me in purgatory. My mental health has been in the toilet all year, and it feels like someone keeps flushing. Crews who work on call and get that benefit can’t use it for immediate family needs either. In other words, the railroads micro manage this new benefit, leaving families to fend for ourselves. This is why you see railroad spouses getting so involved. We carry much of the burden.
David has 30 years invested in his career as of January 2023. He’s been through several contracts and watched the industry change. Neither of us would testify to perfection but we both agree that his union membership has meant a career full of benefits and protection, despite the difficult working conditions. We understand it would be worse without union representation. When things aren’t perfect, we stand by our union. He tries to attend meetings and stay informed if he can’t attend. He understands that union membership requires participation, over and above paying dues.
The BLET National Convention was in October. I attended as a delegate for the Auxiliary. My husband traveled with me, using his vacation time so he could be there to care for our daughter while I was in meetings. It was far from a vacation but we both agreed it was time well spent and worth our investment of both time and money to be there. Most of the BLET meeting was closed to members, but I had an opportunity to hear Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders speak. What I appreciated most about both of their speeches is that they clearly understood the challenges crews have been facing. They called out corporate greed across all class 1 Railroads and outlined the facts behind their unwillingness to meet labor halfway in the negotiation process. Nancy Pelosi isn’t my favorite politician, but I still respected that she showed up for labor and articulated the struggle in detail, proving that she is aware of the abhorrent conditions and lack of work/life balance in the railroad industry. She defended the people I’ve been defending all year!
I came home feeling energized and empowered. I felt like I was a part of something bigger, because hundreds of us were in the same conference rooms, coming together for the better of all union families, whether they were present or not. It gave me hope and a stronger sense of solidarity among us. That feeling quickly changed after I returned home and I haven’t felt right ever since.
This contract negotiation has become increasingly frustrating for workers and families, so I understand that emotions are high. What I didn’t expect was to come home to a media story about the convention being at a “swanky resort” where union officers “partied” with Nancy Pelosi.
Let’s be clear, meetings were in session all day. We had muffins and coffee for breakfast. We had the same deli sandwich selection for lunch every day, We were on our own for dinner. The conference was at Bally’s. I used to work as a Convention Sales Manager for Caesars Entertainment and I’m here to assure people that Bally’s is far from “swanky,” It’s also one of the most affordable locations to host a convention. If you think Bally’s is swanky, please visit Las Vegas and stay there. Then, please get back to me and share your 2-3 star experience because that’s about as good as it gets. No one was “partying” with Nancy Pelosi. She was guarded by secret service and exited promptly at the end of her speech.
This media article full of false information and union bashing rhetoric was posted on social media by another railroad spouse, and heavily circulated by people within the railroad community. Now, after investing time and money to get involved and make a difference, I got to listen to people who weren’t there tell me their version of what happened, and they did it with authority! One woman had the audacity to accuse me of only caring about myself and not considering people with lower seniority. Even worse than spouses doing this, some railroad workers have put more faith in this media outlet than their own unions, soaking up every union bashing word. I tried to respond to the post and share the truth because I was actually at the convention, but I quickly realized that the person didn’t want the truth. She and other commenters just wanted to be mad and point fingers, and rage because they hate Nancy Pelosi. They refused to hear that she stood up for them. I was disappointed, listening to them clinging to the lies being told about the people and organizations working the hardest to defend them. That’s when I lost my mojo. The truth didn’t even matter to them. Who was I defending, and why was I defending them?
In 2022, much of my husband’s earned vacation and PLD time was used for covid recovery, baby hospitalization, and my doctor appointments. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Doesn’t everybody want to use their EARNED vacation for sick time and family emergencies? He was just grateful to have more time than his lower seniority brotherhood and wanted them to be OK under the new inhumane attendance policies. The accusation that people with seniority just want to take the money and run is short sighted and infuriating. My husband was working back when they only had 8 hours off between trips instead of the 12 they have today, and he worked 7 days a week. Hating people with seniority is not solidarity. It’s the foundation for division. When you assume the worst of people who are looking out for you, they will stop caring and never consider you again. If I didn’t care, I would have never bared my truth to bring attention to the abhorrent working conditions. We have 9 years left, and maybe 2 more contracts to survive. We are going to be just fine if we decide bury our heads in selfish splendor. I’m not built that way, but it would be easier to do.
I’m not writing this to make friends and I’ve never aspired to win a popularity contest, so hate me if you will but please allow me to drop this truth bomb.
I notice a trend in conspiracy theory driven politics leading to division amongst the working class. The rigged election discussion has moved from our country elections to union elections. Just because your person loses or a vote didn’t go your way, doesn’t mean it was rigged. It just means your opinion or vote was in the minority. If you are in the group who didn’t vote at all, please take a seat. You forfeited your chance to have a say. 50% voter turnout is really telling. Solidarity means participating in your fate.
You might hate Bernie Sanders but he has stood up for you several times. You might hate Nancy Pelosi but she’s also joined the fight on your behalf. You might hate “AOC” but she’s outwardly defended railroad workers and the working class, and the need for sick pay and fair wages. You might hate Elizabeth Warren but she’s defending you! You might hate your union and ask why you pay dues but they are defending you at the federal level and fighting multi billion dollar corporations who refuse to budge on your requests.
Would you rather negotiate your own pay and benefits? I’m a former corporate executive, who managed in an open shop casino. I dare you. Put on your negotiating hat and let me know how that goes! You’ll walk away sad when your spouse is no longer covered under your medical plan.
You might believe that you’ve revealed some secret by talking about union contributions to super PACs but this has never been a secret. Welcome to America, where you can’t win in politics without a super PAC. Railroad workers are regulated under the Railway Labor Act. Your unions have to lobby for political support! Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
You might hate the current president but he appointed the current FRA administration who is trying to get a 2 person crew rule federally mandated for your safety, job security, and community safety. You might hate me because I refuse to back down and allow anyone to bash my people, my brothers and sisters, who fight for you every day. You can hate me, but I would rather you stand with me, as I have stood by you.
Who do you call when.you need representation? Your local Chairman, sometimes at 2am while he is trying to sleep because you need help? Have you been kind to the union officers you elected or directed your anger at them? Have you attended union meetings? If you are a spouse, have you joined or started an Auxiliary to make a difference?
Do you also hate politicians who support right to work laws, weakening unions and keeping wages low? Are you equally angry at Richard Burr and Roger Wicker who came out and accused labor of taking advantage of the supply chain? They also tried to force the PEB recommendations on crews rather than letting unions negotiate. Bernie Sanders put an end to that but you’re mad at him? You are angry at your health premiums rising and you are angry at the guy who wants you covered under universal health care so you never have to fight with greedy railroads over your premiums again. Do you want to pay taxes for 100% coverage or premiums for partial coverage? Choice is yours, but premiums are on the rise in the US and the politicians you hate the most are the ones striving for solutions. You are allowed to disagree with them but your health premiums are going to keep going up. That’s not the union’s fault. Voting your job is good advice!
I guess my question is, what is your end game? Are you just planning to stay mad and fight against everyone in your corner? If you strike, what outcome are you expecting? Congress has to serve the American population of over 330 million people. They will never let them suffer so 109,000 can make a point. Somewhere in between, an agreement will be reached. I cannot predict the future but I have no doubt that agreement isn’t going to be perfect.
Our fate will be decided very soon. I believe we should focus on building on the momentum we’ve gained, including public and congressional support.
If your favorite politician hasn’t tweeted in support of railroad workers, be mad at them, but for chrissakes quit blaming the people trying to help you before we just stop trying. Eventually, we may not be there to scream on your behalf.
We have an opportunity to hold hands as this negotiation comes to a close and a new one opens. Don’t waste it! Get involved, show up, and take responsibility for the information you are listening to and sharing. Class 1 Railroads would love to see you turn on your union leadership, assuming they do not care about you. They want us divided by politics and lies while they profit at our expense Why let them win?
I’m an old head’s wife. I want better for you and your family than we had. I hope we all come together for a better future.
Freckled and Unfiltered 