The U.S. House has stepped in to stop a looming nationwide rail strike that experts say could have caused a $2 billion hit to the economy.
Lawmakers have approved a bill that would impose a compromise labor agreement between rail workers and their companies. Minnesota 3rd District Congressman Dean Phillips (D) told WCCO's Chad Hartman this had to be done.
“Had there been a strike, especially during this season during a very fragile time for our economy, it would have been traumatic,” says Phillips. "Not just for the shipping and receiving of goods during the holiday season, but the ripple effects throughout this economy.”
Phillips says as a supporter of labor, and the right to organize, the vote was a tough one for him and many others in the House.
“As someone who supports labor, supports collective bargaining, wholeheartedly supports the right to organize, this was a tough one for a lot of us,” Phillips told Hartman. But it is in the best interest of the United States.”
The bill also includes a week of paid family leave for rail workers, but Phillips says he's not optimistic that part will pass the Senate.
“I’m proud that I think at least two of those three yes votes in the House were my fellow Problem Solvers Caucus members, John Katco (R-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who recognize as I do the need to support hardworking people who have to take time off on occasion to care for a loved one who might be sick,” explains Phillips.
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Minnesota’s 6th District Congressman, Tom Emmer (R) voted against the compromise. Emmer tells the WCCO Radio newsroom in a statement, “It's a shame (Congress) is tearing up negotiations but it says a lot about where the economy is.”
Minnesota 2nd District Congresswoman Angie Craig (D) also provided a statement to WCCO Radio, saying she supports the measure.
“Earlier today, I joined my House colleagues in voting to avert a nationwide rail strike. A rail strike would be crippling for our nation’s economy and I was pleased to see my colleagues come together in support of a resolution that includes an increase in paid sick leave – a key unmet priority of railroad workers. I now call on my colleagues in the Senate to do the same,” said Rep. Craig.
The bill would impose a compromise labor agreement brokered by the Biden administration that was ultimately voted down by four of the 12 unions representing roughly 115,000 employees at large freight railroads. The unions have threatened to strike if an agreement can’t be reached before a Dec.
9 deadline.
The measure passed by a vote of 290-137 and now heads to the Senate. If approved there, it will be signed by President Joe Biden, who urged the Senate to act swiftly.
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