The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), North America’s oldest rail labor union representing over 57,000 workers, reached a tentative deal with BNSF Railway August 1 that will improve benefits for locomotive engineers.

The agreement includes up to eight days of paid sick leave and scheduled time off for all BLET-represented BNSF workers. It also gives unionized employees a chance to qualify for an “Earned Day Off” (EDO) every quarter.

The deal, which came after months of negotiations, is still pending ratification from BLET workers with a vote scheduled to take place in September. About 7,500 BLET members working for BNSF Railway will receive detailed information about the tentative agreement later this week.

“The agreement will allow for more predictable scheduling and enable engineers to take paid sick leave without any penalty. These enhancements will not only contribute to a more consistent service for BNSF's customers but also aid in the recruitment and retention of employees,” reads a joint statement from the organizations. “The cooperation between BLET and BNSF marks an important step forward in supporting the well-being and satisfaction of locomotive engineers, ensuring a more balanced and efficient work environment.”