We have major progress to report. The Senate just voted 80-15 to pass legislation preventing a nationwide rail strike, a day after the House passed it on a 290-137 vote. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature. The threatened strike is set to start December 9th and would cost an estimated $2 billion daily.
It appears likely President Biden will sign this bill.
He urged Congress to intervene after repeated calls from business leaders to avert the economically devastating strike.
If the bill is signed into law, the labor agreement reached in September will be implemented, averting the strike. This is the sensible outcome supported by BizFed members. The deal includes a 24% wage increase for rail workers and has already been approved by eight of the nation's largest rail unions. Unfortunately, even one union holdout would result in a strike.
A second bill passed yesterday by the House failed today in the Senate. It was championed by Senator Bernie Sanders and would have amended the agreement with seven additional paid sick days.
Click below to read the media statement we issued earlier this week, reiterating the business community's push for congressional intervention. We thank BizFed Chair Brissa Sotelo-Vargas for offering a strong closing quote.
Click below to read the letter we sent to President Biden and leaders in Congress at the beginning of November when negotiations stalled. We thank our leaders in the transportation sphere for working to get ahead of trouble.
Click below to read the joint press release we issued in September with leaders from the groups below. We thank all partners for leaning in to advocate for swift and sensible solutions.
California Business Roundtable
California Retailers Association
FuturePorts
Long Beach Area Chamber
Los Angeles Area Chamber
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
Stay tuned for the latest. Please contact Senior Policy Manager Chris Wilson at chris.wilson@bizfed.org if you have any questions or fresh intel.
Onward!
