A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DEAN DEVITA regarding BNSF Agreement
An agreement between The National Conference of Firemen & Oilers and BNSF Railway Company providing paid time off for illness and wellness was reached.
Effective January 1, 2023, each NCFO Member will accrue 32 hours of paid sick time.
NCFO President Dean Devita stated that “I applaud BNSF for coming to the bargaining table and adjusting this wrong and making it right. BNSF Rob Karov Vice President of Labor Relations and Derek Cargill, General Director of Labor Relations bargained in good faith with the NCFO, and we appreciate their professionalism and courage during the negotiations.”
Devita continued “NCFO Assistant Director of Railroads Travis Prothro headed up the bargaining and was the driving force for completion of the agreement. Prothro had Director of Railroads Mike Pistone providing his expertise to finalize this agreement. NCFO has two of the best labor leaders in the labor movement”.
“It is time for all the railroads to stop avoiding this issue and follow the lead of BNSF and join the NCFO at the bargaining table to do what is right for their employees and the NCFO Members. It makes more sense reaching agreement across the bargaining table, but if not, we will do what we have to do, the NCFO invites all unsigned railroads to join us at the bargaining table,” said President Devita.
The NCFO is an affiliate of 32BJ SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which has 2.1 million members dedicated to raising industry standards, making life better for working families and our communities, and building a fair economy.
