Why rail workers are threatening to strike and how it could affect you | JUST THE FAQS

Threats of a railroad strike are back. Here's how a rail strike could affect consumers.

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Threats of a railroad strike that could debilitate the economy linger after one of the country's largest railroad unions rejected its deal with freight railroads Monday.

The majority of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union members voted against a proposed five-year contract, with union President Tony Cardwell saying the deal didn’t do enough to address the lack of paid sick time or improve working conditions.

The vote comes after 20 straight hours of negotiations in September and pressure from President Joe Biden to reach a deal.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way union agreed to hold off any potential strike until after Congress reconvenes in mid-November to allow time for further negotiations.

Assistant White House press secretary Robyn Patterson said the cooling-off period ensures that the economy “is under no immediate threat.”

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7 comments

  1. I’m surprised that they’re striking with the amount of money they’re paid. An engineer makes about a six figure income.

    1. you also become a literal slave. and for the millions of workers employed by the railroads there are only so many engineers. you get no time off, you get mandatory overtime and depending on which rail line you work on you may not get overtime pay for it. your sched is not fixed, nor is it ‘flexible’ you work when and where they want you and if you argue it you are fired or put into an even crappier job. sick leave is a joke and i’ve seen plenty of people fired over having to leave to get a sick child out of school. working for the railroad these days is nothing compared to what it once was.

    2. @k333rl What? Well in that case I can see why the workers would want to strike. What’s the purpose of getting a well paying job if you’re not able to enjoy spending it with family?

    3. @L01 J that’s why I got out a while back. It’s hard rewarding work for someone who is single and lives and breaths it. But if you have a family or want to have a home life it’s not that great unless you are a top dog in an office or like you said, an engineer. Each train only has 2 maybe three guys tops at any given time. The majority are laborers.

    4. @L01 J I’m BMWED and if I found a job half as good with better home life I’d take it in a heartbeat

  2. Railroad workers and their families can get by without food and basic essentials no worries. ITS A RECESSION ANYWAYS SO MIGHT AS WELL SHUT IT ALL DOWN. When the senators and union bosses can’t get their favorite cut of steak is only when things happen…lol

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