Rail Strike Derailed as Biden Signs Labor Bill
The Senate swiftly moved to pass a tentative rail agreement on Thursday with a landslide 80-15. This move followed the House's favorable vote of 290 to 137 on Wednesday. President Biden signed the bill Friday morning, further derailing the looming labor strike.
Congress also voted on a paid sick leave bill, which the House moved to pass but the Senate chose to deny. The odds were close, however, with a vote of 52-43.
Zippy Duvall, Farm Bureau president, says producers' reliance on rail is what pushed AFBF to support and celebrate averting the rail strike.
"High diesel prices, a truck driver shortage, and low water levels on the Mississippi River have already made shipping conditions difficult," Duvall said in an AFBF press release. "A rail strike would have had a devastating effect on the American economy, especially as families grapple with higher prices caused by inflation."
“There was an industry-wide sigh of relief today after both Congressional chambers voted in favor of implementing the September TAs,” said The Fertilizer Institute's Corey Rosenbusch. “Rail is critical to the movement of fertilizer year-round. Averting embargoes and production delays were crucial to not only ensuring we’re able to provide the fertilizers our nation’s farmers need, but also avoiding additional disruptions to a global market already constrained by geopolitical events and volatile energy prices.”
While some groups are applauding the outcomes, others are outraged.
The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) spoke out on the votes in a press release:
"What took place in the United States Senate today is a symptom, and further illustration, of a larger issue in our country. Almost every elected member of Congress campaigns on being “for the working class”; the actions of many today demonstrated they are for the corporate class," BRS said. "The dereliction of duty and inability to hold corporations accountable for a lack of good faith to their employees will not be forgotten."
BRS says their work on the matter will continue, and they will "not be silenced."
Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary, echoed each response, saying the rail system and workers both deserve protections.
“Our work doesn’t stop here. This Administration will continue to make progress on fostering economic growth and strengthening supply chains, and supporting workers who deserve protections in the workplace.”
According to Biden’s economic advisors, as many as 765,000 Americans — many union workers themselves — would have been put out of work in the first two weeks of shutdowns.
More on rail:
Congress “Likely” to Pass a Rail Deal this Week, According to Soy Transportation Coalition’s Steenhoek
Rail Strike Averted Until Dec. 4, Saving U.S. $2 Billion Per Day
