Second railroad union rejects Biden’s tentative deal

A second railroad union on Wednesday voted against ratifying the tentative agreement negotiated between railroad managers, unions and members of President Joe Biden’s administration. The move raises the possibility of a strike in November that would endanger the national supply chain if a deal is not reached.

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, which represents more than 6,000 workers in the United States, announced that its members had voted to reject the tentative agreement, sending the union back to the bargaining table with management.

In a statement, union president Michael Baldwin noted that this is the first time the union has voted against ratifying an agreement.

Sick leave policies continue to be a focus of discussion. Unions argue that current policies do not allow workers to take personal or sick leave. While the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) appointed by President Biden negotiated salary increases, it did not address furlough policies.

“I have expressed my disappointment throughout the process at the lack of good faith negotiation,” Baldwin said in the statement.

“Furthermore, the highest offices of each carrier, as well as their shareholders, seem to forget that their employee base continued to perform their jobs every day during an unprecedented pandemic, while executives worked from home to support their families. safe,” Baldwin said.

BRS, which represents workers who install and maintain signaling systems, is not alone. The Brotherhood of Way Maintenance Employees, the third-largest railroad union, voted earlier this month to also reject the deal. The 12 unions would have to accept a deal independently to avoid a possible strike.

“We’re going to go back to the table and we’re going to talk to them, talk to the railroads about increasing paid sick days because our members have made it very clear to us that the lack of paid sick days is a very important issue. problem for them,” Peter Kennedy, BMWED’s chief negotiator, previously told NPR.

Biden’s influence is at stake

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reaffirmed that the priority was to avoid a shutdown and that the administration was in regular contact with both parties.

“It is the responsibility of the parties involved to resolve this issue and any idea that sending this to Congress will lead to a quick or favorable outcome is deeply misguided,” Jean-Pierre said. “The rejection by these unions of the current proposed contract does not mean that we face an immediate closure of rail, that is not how we see it. But it does mean that the unions and their employers have additional work to do. .”

Jean-Pierre said the administration is calling for good faith negotiations to avoid a halt to rail operations.

In September, members of Biden’s cabinet pressed for railroad management and unions to reach an agreement after nearly two years of ongoing contract negotiations.

Railroad unions were threatening to strike, leading to some services like Amtrak being preemptively affected.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh stayed up all night to negotiate the tentative agreement finally accepted by the representatives. But although the deal was seen as a major union victory by the president, union members have yet to vote.

Biden has long proclaimed himself the most pro-Labour president, often having union members introduce him before speeches.

But even after the deal was struck, many railroad workers were still picketing in disapproval of the deal.

Strike threat grows

The union’s rejection means they are now in what is called a “status quo” period that will continue until November 19, five days after Congress is scheduled to return to Washington. A strike would not come before. Congress could ban a strike and force the unions to accept the agreement.

So far, six unions have voted in favor and two voted against, but all could go on strike if just one does, jeopardizing the transport of up to 40% of goods, just before the festive period.