BNSF Railroad Strike Barred by Trump-Appointed Judge
The Warren Buffett-owned rail carrier is forcing operators to work alone for 12 hours a day, often without a day off for weeks at a time.
BNSF rail workers are in the fight for their lives. A new policy would give workers only one day off per month, even penalizing them for jury duty and doctor’s visits. The intentionally isolating policy puts workers at risk both physically and mentally. Not to mention, the countless lives put at risk by forced worker fatigue.
17,000 BNSF workers across different unions voted to strike. But a Trump-appointed judge blocked their request. He said their grievances with non-stop isolating work would constitute a “minor dispute.”
Workers say the industry has robbed them of dignity and self-respect. While BNSF generated $4.3 billion in the first nine months of 2021, workers reported PTSD from traumatic rail events. With the new policy, workers won’t be able to take off the needed time for their mental health.
BNSF is owned by Warren Buffet’s company Berkshire Hathaway.
A coalition of 100,000 rail workers has filed for contract mediation. If successful it would lead to a massive, nationwide strike.
