What did the railroad workers win?

The multiple unions representing rail workers have been negotiating with railroads over the issue and have been winning. In June, it was reported that more than 60% of U.S. unionized railroad workers are now are covered by new sick leave agreements. That number continues to grow.



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High Compensation: In 2020, Class I freight rail employee compensation, including benefits, averaged about $135,700 per year. Railroad retirees are covered by the Railroad Retirement System, which is separate from social security and is funded by railroads and their employees.

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High Paying Railroad Jobs
  • Signal Integrity Engineer. Salary range: $167,000-$167,000 per year. ...
  • Signal Processing Engineer. Salary range: $110,500-$154,000 per year. ...
  • Signal Engineer. Salary range: $86,000-$142,500 per year. ...
  • Steam Engineer. ...
  • Train Dispatcher. ...
  • Yardmaster. ...
  • Switch Technician. ...
  • Depot Manager.


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The rail workers wanted seven annual paid sick days, which would cost the railroads an estimated $321 million annually–less than 2% of their annual profit. But the railroads balked at this demand, despite posting record profits of $21.2 billion in the first three quarters of 2022 alone.

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Railroad workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in fact, railroad employees are approximately twice as likely to die on the job as the average American worker.

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The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), AFL-CIO represents more than 150,000 members across the airline, railroad, and transit, university, utility and service sectors.

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“At a time of record-breaking profits, that industry can and must guarantee at least seven paid sick days to every rail worker in America,” Sanders said. “In the year 2023, that is not a whole lot to ask.”

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Conductor. In charge of train in its entirety, and of the train crew at large.

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Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers. Railroad conductors and yardmasters.

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