- December 3, 2022
- Posted by: Stratford Team
- Category: Economy
(The Center Square) – A railroad shutdown that could have done billions in damage to the economy according to experts was avoided by a Senate vote Thursday.
The Senate voted 80 to 15 to approve an agreement that gives rail workers a 24% raise over the next five years. A second bill that would have added seven days of paid sick leave was rejected.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., had urged their colleagues not to pass the second bill. They said in a letter that passing the alternative would set a precedent.
“Other unionized employees of regulated industries would likely make that same gamble in the future, rendering Congress the arbiter of these types of labor disputes instead of the National Mediation Board,” Cramer said. “It is in the best interest of all parties that the railroads, not Congress, work through issues such as paid leave directly with their employees.”
President Joe Biden…
