Sanders dismayed by failure to include sick leave in rail bill

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - The U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday to prevent a looming rail strike, but Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders voted against the measure after it failed to contain sick leave provisions that were approved by the House.

The Senate vote was 80-15. It came one day after the House voted to impose the agreement. The measure now goes to Biden’s desk for his signature.

The deal gives train rail workers a 24% raise and some bonuses over five years, but a separate measure over paid sick time failed.

Several Democrats, as well as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, voted against the labor deal because it didn’t include the sick leave provision. Sanders called the final bill disappointing.

“Let me be clear. This struggle is not over. At a time of record-breaking profits for the rail industry, it is disgraceful that railroad workers do not have a single day of paid sick leave. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I will do everything I can to make sure that rail workers in America are treated with dignity and respect,” Sanders said.

Copyright 2022 WCAX. All rights reserved.