Taylor Maag, Director of Workforce Development Policy at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), released the following statement in support of the Administration’s push to avert the looming rail strike and potential economic fallout:
“In September, the Biden Administration helped to negotiate a tentative agreement between rail workers and operators to avoid a strike and railway shutdown. This agreement was approved by labor and management negotiators and, when it was announced, those involved called it a fair resolution. However, this week, the deal was voted down by four of the 12 railroad unions. The lack of consensus means a looming strike.
“With less than two weeks until the strike deadline, the President has called on Congress to pass legislation that would codify this agreement and therefore avert a strike.
“While the President has been open about his hesitation to push a deal that has been rejected by some union members, he also said a rail strike would devastate our economy, as more than 500,000 Americans, many of whom are union workers, could be put out of work in the first two weeks. This concern has been reaffirmed by businesses across the country. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and roughly 400 business groups, representing a wide range of industries, sent a letter to Congress on Monday calling on federal leaders to intervene before the deadline to ensure continued rail service to avoid the economic fallouts.
“While a voluntary agreement with the four holdout unions would be the best outcome, the risks to America’s economy and communities is too great. A rail strike could threaten the nation’s water supply, halt rail travel, and trigger even more disruption to the U.S. supply chain — which could potentially worsen inflation.
“PPI supports the Administration’s efforts and calls on Congress to adopt the agreement, without delay or modifications. Congress has the power to prevent a railway shutdown and deliver for the American people — we hope Congress makes the right choice.”
