Last fall, railroad unions nearly went on strike over the demanding schedules and lack of paid sick leave benefits. Since then, many railroad workers have won paid sick leave benefits, but frustrations still remain against the railroad companies. The unions claim that the rail companies are asking for too much in the labor negotiations in return for paid sick leave, which the unions argue should be a basic benefit. In particular, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union has taken issue with the strict attendance policies that still places pressure on workers to come in to work when they are ill.
See "Railroad unions argue paid sick leave should be a basic benefit, continuing tensions over labor negotiations", Josh Funk and the Associated Press, Fortune, May 8, 2023