People who cross the picket line and others that refused to strike. Just like what happened to the air traffic controllers.
8 out of 12 unions passed it. It looks like it was really close although you are right it didn’t pass.
**The deals nearly got the support they needed to be ratified by both unions. One was ratified by the engineers, with 53.5% voting yes, while the other was a very slim defeat by the conductors with either a small majority or a near majority voting for ratification.
The conductors’ vote ultimately failed because the union’s rules require each of five classes of workers within the union to approve the deal for it to pass.
Although 64.5% of “yardmasters,” which includes 1,300 of the union’s membership, supported the deal, 50.87% members of train and engine service members of the union voted against ratification. The union did not release the overall vote totals for SMART-TD members.
The no vote follow similar contract rejections by the rank-and-file members of three other rail unions – one representing track maintenance workers, another whose members maintain and operate the signal system, and a third who represent locomotive mechanics and welders.**
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/21/business/railroad-unions-votes/index.html
Actually Peter it is usually always about the money. If they wanted sick days all they had to do was give up the raises. Negotiations is all about give and take but I think what happened here is that the union negotiators thought they had a good contract so they took it back to the membership. Some members wanted more so they started an activist movement to stop the contract and send it back to negotiations. They succeeded in their union but not all the unions and that is why 8 unions passed it.
Personally I would have been ecstatic about this contract and like someone up the board said. There are always ways to work around the rules so you do not get yourself in trouble.
Andy