No Paid Sick Leave? Really?

   The agreement with the railworkers was hailed by some unions as the most generous in railroad history. Still, there are some things that still aren't right and definitely call for change. No paid sick leave? That's a standard in most professions. Long hours? That's not true for most, but for some. If these things are in the hands of Congress, Congress should correct these two things.

   With the economy so much in the public's eye these days, Congress likely felt beholden to avoid a rail strike that would have subtracted $2 billion a day from the economy. Also, one wonders how the 24 percent pay increase will affect inflation. The average rail worker makes $49,000 a year. To me, as a poor boy who never drew near that much of a wage, it sounds adequate. However, if it is not enough to attract more workers so that the ones that are there do not need to work such long hours, then perhaps the raise is justified.