NCFO Press Release

Falls Church, VA

An agreement between The National Conference of Firemen & Oilers and Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Company, Grand Truck Western Railroad Company, Illinois Central Railroad Company and Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad Company, all Railroads doing business as CN Railroads, providing paid time off for illness and wellness was reached.

Effective April 1, 2023, the number of hours of paid days for sick time off accrued for each NCFO Member will accrue 32 hours of paid sick time.

NCFO President Dean Devita stated that “I applaud CN for coming to the bargaining table and adjusting this wrong and making it right. CN Thomas M. Sullivan Director of Labor Relations and Patrick A. Crain, Manager, Labor Relations bargained in good faith with the NCFO, and we appreciate their professionalism and courage during the negotiations.”

Devita continued “Director of Railroads NCFO Assistant Director of Railroads Travis Prothro and Director of Railroads Mike Pistone headed up the bargaining to finalize this agreement.”

“It is time for all the railroads to stop avoiding this issue and follow the lead of CN 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. The Long Island Railroad establish a sick leave bank since January 1, 1971, America’s greatest asset is the American Worker, let’s take care of the American Worker,” 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.