With a potential rail strike looming as early as December 9th, President Biden called on Congress to intervene and pass legislation adopting the Tentative Agreement reached between rail carriers, unions and the Administration on September 15th. The Tentative Agreement is based on a report from the Presidential Emergency Board, which Biden convened to help resolve differences between the parties. Congressional action was needed because 4 of the nation’s 12 rail unions had voted to reject the Tentative Agreement, setting up a potential strike. Four unions rejected the deal because they were fighting for additional paid sick leave, which is not included in the Tentative Agreement.
On November 30th, the House passed H.J. Res. 100, which adopts the Tentative Agreement, with bipartisan support by a vote of 290-137. The House also passed a separate resolution that would amend the Tentative Agreement by adding 7 paid sick days. On December 1st, the Senate voted on both House-passed resolutions. The Senate failed to approve the resolution requiring 7 paid sick days but successfully passed the resolution adopting the Tentative Agreement by a margin of 80-15. GCCA commends the Biden Administration, the House of Representatives, and the Senate for moving quickly to advance legislation and avert a strike.
