(Washington) Joe Biden calls on the US Congress to legislate “without delay” to avoid a potential major rail freight strike, he said in a statement on Monday, as negotiations between social partners on a new branch agreement are at an impasse.
The president, who says he is “proudly a supporter of the unions”, says he is “reluctant” to use a legislative passage, but believes that a rail freight strike “would harm millions of people and families of the class popular “.
“I want to be clear: a complete shutdown of rail would devastate our economy”, assures Joe Biden, who wanted the application of an agreement in principle dating from September concluded between the railway companies and the unions, but that the members of the latter had to ratify. However, several of the 12 organizations concerned do not want this agreement which has long stumbled in particular on the question of sick leave.
Failing application by December 9, or even December 5 according to the calendars of the various stakeholders, the world’s largest economy could experience a strike likely to shut down nearly 7,000 freight trains, and cost it more $2 billion a day, according to the American Railroad Association.
Because even if only one union were to go on strike, the others would follow suit.
By having to request the intervention of Congress, the recently octogenarian president suffered a political setback that compromised his regained momentum after the midterm elections, and as he plans to run for president again in 2024.
Thanks to a law of 1926 which gives him prerogatives to prevent a railroad strike, the Congress could force pass the preliminary agreement, in spite of the rejection of certain unions.
“We are reluctant to bypass the ratification process for the tentative agreement, but we must act to prevent a catastrophic nationwide rail strike that would bring our economy to a standstill,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
Joe Biden also asked Congress not to make changes to the preliminary agreement, whether in favor of employees or companies.
“Despite good intentions, any changes could lead to delays and an incapacitating shutdown,” said the president, who says the deal was reached “in good faith” by the stakeholders.
In her press release, Nancy Pelosi announces that the agreement will be voted on in the House and sent to the Senate without change.