CSX, SMART-MD ink paid sick-leave pact

CSX late last week announced it reached its ninth agreement with a rail union to provide paid sick leave to employees.

The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical Department (SMART-MD) is the latest labor group to reach such an agreement with the company, said CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs.

"CSX continues to work collaboratively with all of our union partners to find solutions that improve the quality of life for our valued employees," Hinrichs said in a press release.

Several Class Is and rail labor groups have announced such agreements this year after paid sick leave became a key stumbling block in last year's contract negotiations between the nation's major freight railroads and their workers.