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Washington (AFP) – Joe Biden is calling on US Congress to legislate “without delay” to avert a potential major rail freight strike, he said in a statement on Monday, as social partners negotiated a new sector deal.
The president, who says he is “proudly a supporter of unions,” says he is “reluctant” to use a piece of legislation, but believes a rail strike “would harm millions of working-class people and families.”
“I want to be clear: a total closure of the railways would devastate our economy”, assures Joe Biden who wanted the application of a provisional agreement dating back to September concluded between the railway companies and the unions, but which the members of the latter had to ratify . However, several of the 12 organizations concerned do not want this agreement which has long stumbled over the issue of sick leave in particular.
Failure to implement by Dec. 9, or even Dec. 5 according to various stakeholders’ calendars, the world’s largest economy could suffer a strike that could shut down nearly 7,000 freight trains and cost more than $2 billion a day. according to the American Railroad Association.
Because even if one union strikes, the others will follow.
Having to ask Congress to intervene, the recently octogenarian president suffered a political setback that sapped his newfound momentum following the midterm elections, and as he plans to rerun for president in 2024.
Thanks to a 1926 law that gives it the prerogatives to prevent a train strike, Congress could force passage of the preliminary agreement, despite the refusal of some unions.
“We are reluctant to bypass the process of ratifying the interim agreement, but we must take action to prevent a catastrophic national train strike that would bring our economy to a standstill,” House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
Joe Biden also asked Congress not to make any changes to the preliminary agreement, either in favor of employees or companies.
“Despite good intentions, any change could lead to delays and a disabling arrest,” said the president, who says the deal was reached “in good faith” by the parties concerned.
In her statement, Nancy Pelosi announces that the agreement will be voted on in the House and sent to the Senate without changes.
© 2022 AFP
