The US Congress passes legislation to avert a major rail freight strike

The US Congress adopted the day Thursday to avoid a potentially catastrophic rail freight strike for the US economy. After a similar vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the text voted in the Senate imposes a branch agreement on the profession, despite the fact that it has not been approved by all unions.

President Joe Biden has indicated that he will approve it as soon as it is sent to the White House. “Working together, we saved this country from Christmas disaster“, he commented in the press release.

Faced with the prospect of a strike beginning on December 9, the Democratic leader, a strong supporter of railroad transportation, had asked Congress to enact legislation, which he was authorized to do under a 1926 law. Joe Biden, who never misses an opportunity to confirm his support for trade unions in general, considered the current situation extremely dangerous. A freight strike would cost $2 billion a day in American economic activity, according to an estimate by the American Railroad Association.

Rail paralysis

It would also affect passenger traffic, as most passenger trains use tracks owned by freight companies. The US president repeated in a press release.reluctance to excel» Union negotiations. “But in this case, the consequences of the shutdown were too great.“, he said.

The prospect of a US rail shutdown posed a major political risk for the president, as inflation remains high and the US economy is already showing signs of slowing. But by forcing the acceptance of the collective agreement and ignoring the social dialogue, the head of state exposed himself to the criticism of the unions and the left wing of his majority.

“There is no clearer example of corporate greed than what we see today in the railroad industry.” progressive Senator Bernie Sanders lamented. Joe Biden defended himself from all criticism during a press conference before the vote in the Senate on Thursday, assuring that he succeeded.negotiate a contract that no one else could negotiate“.

Sick leave

The text provides for a salary increase of 24% in the five-year period 2020-2024 (with retroactive effect), as well as an additional day of personal leave. The Federation of Railway Companies (AAR) welcomed the result of the vote, which, according to it, gives an opportunity to avoid a strike.economically devastating“. It presents “compromisebut bringssignificant achievementsemployees, he says.

On the other hand, the text does not require railroad companies to provide their employees with sick leave, which is a pressing demand of some railroad unions. Some companies don’t offer it at this time. In an attempt to resolve this dispute, Democrats introduced a supplemental bill that provides for seven days of guaranteed sick leave per year. However, it did not gather the necessary 60 votes in the Senate.

“The fact that there are not 60 senators who have the courage to stand up to business and fight for the basic rights of railroad workers is appalling.Teamsters union president Sean O’Brien responded on Twitter. “Almost every member of the congressional campaign says they are “for the working class»; The actions of many of them today have shown that they actually stand for business“, another trade union, BRS, also lamented in the message.

A total of twelve unions were negotiating with employer representatives as of 2020. Faced with the first threat of a strike in September, Joe Biden threw his political weight behind a tentative deal that was later rejected by four union members. “I have said very clearly. I will continue to fight for sick leave insurance, not just for railroad workers, but for all American workers.“, the president promised on Thursday.