Dear John,
Today, President Joe Biden signed into law an agreement between railroad unions and managers, preventing a catastrophic national rail strike.
Yes, a voluntary agreement with the four holdout railroad unions would have been preferred, but a rail strike just weeks before the holidays would have devastated the U.S. economy.
While our country still struggles with the impacts of COVID-19, political unrest across the globe, and domestic workforce challenges, a rail strike would have caused devastating supply chain disruptions. It would also cost the U.S. economy $2 billion dollars a day.
As a strong union supporter, I recognize workers’ rights are one of the main pillars that created a strong American middle class, especially here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where the right to collectively bargain is a time-honored tradition.
However, under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, Congress was compelled to act.
The strike-averting legislation I voted for in the House included provisions for paid sick leave, a key priority for rail workers. At a time when the rail industry is making record profits, I find it unacceptable that rail workers were allotted zero guaranteed paid sick days.
Unfortunately, support for the paid sick leave provisions fell short in the Senate.
This sticking point remains a key priority for labor and something I wholeheartedly support for rail workers - and all American workers. There is still more work to be done.
