John,

The rail industry made a record $20 billion in profit last year―and yet, railway workers receive zero sick days, paid or unpaid.

Along with Bernie Sanders in the Senate, and my colleagues Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Donald Payne, Jr. in the House, I led a letter to President Biden urging him to take immediate action to provide at least 7 days of paid sick leave to railway workers. More than 70 members of Congress joined us in signing the letter.

In the richest country on the face of the Earth, no worker should have to choose between their health and a paycheck. Click here to join me and our allies in demanding President Biden act!

Last month, rail workers rejected a contract that, once again, provided workers with no paid sick days. In order to avoid a rail strike, which would have a devastating impact on our economy, Congress voted to force rail workers to accept a bad deal.

I led a successful amendment in the House, which would have provided 7 days of paid sick leave to rail workers, but this was filibustered in the Senate by 42 Republicans and 1 Democrat who chose to put the greed of rail corporations―including billionaire Warren Buffett―ahead of workers’ rights to sick leave.

For me, this issue is personal. When my dad joined the United Auto Workers (UAW), he ensured we had health insurance for the first time. I know from experience that strong unions uplift people and their ability to provide for their families. Strong unions mean higher wages, safer working conditions, and dignity for all people who work.

We can’t allow corporations to continue making billions of dollars off the backs of workers, without even paying a living wage or providing other essential needs like healthcare.

For the last three years, through a pandemic and through inflation that is costing families approximately $433 more out-of-pocket each month, railway workers have been working without a contract and without a pay raise. They are essential workers who have kept our economy moving under impossible circumstances, and who have seen rail corporations cut their workforce by 30% over the last 6 years, forcing rail workers to do more with less.

Join me and our allies in demanding President Biden and his administration take executive action to provide rail workers with at least 7 days of paid sick leave. Take action today >>

I am not backing down in this fight for the basic human right to paid sick leave. Thank you for being by my side.

In solidarity,

Rashida