Biden calls on Congress to head off potential rail strike

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JOSH FUNK today

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday asked Congress to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month’s deadline in the stalled contract talks, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers would take up legislation this week to impose the deal that unions agreed to in September.

“Let me be clear: a rail shutdown would devastate our economy,” Biden said in a statement. “Without freight rail, many U.S. industries would shut down.”

In a statement, Pelosi said: “We are reluctant to bypass the standard ratification process for the Tentative Agreement — but we must act to prevent a catastrophic nationwide rail strike, which would grind our economy to a halt.”

Pelosi said the House would not change the terms of the September agreement, which would challenge the Senate to approve the House bill without changes.



FILE - Freight train cars sit in a Norfolk Southern rail yard on Sept. 14, 2022, in Atlanta. Business groups are increasing the pressure on lawmakers to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month's deadline in the stalled contract talks. A coalition of more than 400 business groups sent a letter to Congressional leaders Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 urging them to step in because of fears about the devastating potential impact of a strike that could force many businesses to shut down. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/business-congress-government-and-politics-44c88740ed57ba96a20c4fc6fffb230b

[Javaman]

1. the repukes will let it happen then they will try to spin it

that only they can save the nation and try an "broker" a new deal...which will fail.

strap in, it's going to get very weird.

[David__77]

2. So no right to strike for the Union that voted against this.

…

[cstanleytech]

3. I hate to say but they're right but not just because of that but also because it would have a severe

impact on people getting things like medicine as well as food.

[Tetrachloride]

4. Pay, health benefits, sleep, respect

same as anyone.

Wage and price controls are destined. Or chaotic conditions will continue.

[d_b]

5. There's a nice gimmick, huh?

Sorry you can’t strike — it’ll be catastrophic.

No wonder they’re treated like shit.

I hope they do it anyway.

[sybylla]

6. Agreed.

They definitely need to strike anyway. The rail carriers won't be so lucky replacing them as Reagan with the air traffic controllers. Unemployment is too low.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

7. Usually I support the union workers on striking, but I trust The President's judgment.

Hopefully it doesn't come to a strike.

[Crazyleftie]

8. Biden is being given bad advice

They are forcing the union to accept an agreement without paid sick leave....how sick is that?

[TiberiusB]

9. Or, Biden could force the Rail Road companies to accept the Union demand for sick time

Biden is dancing to the corporate drum here. It is not "for the good of the nation". Railroad monopolies want more profits (already in the tens of billions and enough for massive stock buybacks), and big business doesn't want another supply chain disaster fouling up their holiday cash grab. He could just as easily have asked Congress to force through a compromise deal that provides a paltry 4 days of sick time for the workers. Instead, it's just the deal he made with the railroads and screw the workers. This is why the Republicans are jumping in and pretending to be populist, pro labor champions. They can smell the chance to bloody the Democrats with this and make them look like the corporate toadies that serve the monied interests over the people, which, in this case, they 100% are. Will they turn on the workers the first chance they get? Of course. Heads they win, tails you lose.

https://perfectunion.us/rail-profits-soaring-at-workers-expense/
https://prospect.org/economy/railroad-profit-making-strategy-comes-at-a-cost/
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/11/29/23484623/congress-rail-strike-biden-sick-days

[BigmanPigman]

10. Bernie said on MSNBC that

workers must get paid sick leave. Hear hear!!!!! There should be no deal unless that is given.

[Magoo48]

11. Yup. No paid sick leave, no deal.

Union Strong
Solidarity.