How do BNSF Conductors get paid? In other words, is it a salary, hourly wage? Do they get overtime?

Question

How do BNSF Conductors get paid? In other words, is it a salary, hourly wage? Do they get overtime?

Answer 1

They get paid by the trip, pro-rated by miles.

Yes there is overtime, it is a bit complicated to explain but on road assignements it is based on miles ran, in yard or local assignemnts it is based on hours worked.

Yard and local jobs get holiday pay, road assignements dont.

There are some job assignments with a minimum guarantee but basically if you dont work you dont get paid, it is not a salary.

I can tell you that conductors get paid quite well and conductor is the job that engineers are promoted from, they have been merged into one career path so after a few years in train service you will be offered a chance to promote to engine service.

They are good jobs, I have been railorading since just before the last ice age, Fred Flinstone and I were on the same seniority roster back on the Rolling Rock Road.

Answer 2

It's subject to collective bargaining contract between your union and BNSF.  After eight hours, conductors are eligible for time and a half overtime and they get paid holidays.  If a conductor works on a holiday, pay is two and a half times their normal pay.