railwayman and unions are increasing pressure on the US Congress and Joe Biden to address poor working conditions after Congress recently voted to block a strike when it voted on a contract deal.
The Guardian reports that workers and union activists in America have criticized the action for undermining the US collective bargaining process and workers’ right to strike.
Now the imposed contract only provides for one extra day off with no sick leave and three days a year for doctor appointments with conditions.
“The fight to ensure paid sick leave for railroad workers is not over, and we will not back down until we win,” the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Business Division said in a statement.
Railroad workers’ unions held a rally at the US Capitol in Washington DC on December 13 to urge action faced by railroad workers. Additional rallies are planned in Massachusetts, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah and Wyoming.
More than 70 congressmen have signed a letter urging Biden to guarantee rail workers seven days of paid sick leave.
The federal railroad administration also held a hearing on Dec. 14 on a proposed rule to require a two-person safety rule for train attendants, which has been opposed by the railroad industry, which has attempted to impose only one worker on train attendants. On December 13 and 14, the Surface Transportation Board also held hearings on Union Pacific’s role on supply chain issues.
