I don't think pay is the issue:
Quote:
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The September agreement added three unpaid days off a year for engineers and conductors to tend to medical appointments as long as they scheduled them at least 30 days in advance. The railroads also promised in September not to penalize workers who are hospitalized and to negotiate further with the unions after the contract is approved about improving the regular scheduling of days off.
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How generous. Some of the workers can now get an unpaid day off with 30 days notice (assuming their medical issue can wait that long) and they won't be penalized for ending up in the hospital.
There's no reason the cooling off period couldn't just be extended while negotiations continue. They don't have to legislate a terrible deal that still offers zero paid sick days. And if they do want to legislate a deal, why not give the workers come of the extremely modest paid sick leave protections they are seeking?