President Biden adds his call for Congress to intervene after 400 organizations sent a letter.
The railroad labor negotiation standoff that began in August has had its agreement deadline pushed back more than once. As the new deadline of December 9 nears, over 400 organizations, including the Department of Commerce, have sent a joint letter urging Congress to intervene before that date. Should a railroad union strike ensue, it is estimated that a stoppage of rail traffic would disrupt up to 7 million travelers, freeze 30 percent of all freight shipments, and cost the economy upwards of $2 billion per day.
“The risks to our nation’s economy and communities simply make a national rail strike unacceptable,” said the letter to congressional leaders. “Therefore, absent a voluntary agreement, we call on you to take immediate steps to prevent a national rail strike and the certain economic destruction that would follow.”
President Joe Biden issued a statement on Monday also urging Congress to take action. He stated, “I am calling on Congress to pass legislation immediately to adopt the Tentative Agreement between railroad workers and operators – without any modifications or delay – to avert a potentially crippling national rail shutdown.“
“This agreement was approved by labor and management negotiators in September. … Since that time, the majority of the unions in the industry have voted to approve the deal,“ the president continued. “Congress has the power to adopt the agreement and prevent a shutdown. It should set aside politics and partisan division and deliver for the American people. Congress should get this bill to my desk well in advance of December 9th so we can avoid disruption.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives as they consider the requests to intervene in the rail labor dispute.
- For the president and his Cabinet as they promote the agreement facilitated by the administration.
- For labor union and railroad leaders as discussions continue.
Sources: The White House, Newsmax, Reuters
